The Plugable USB2-MICRO-250X digital microscope is compatible with macOS using the built-in Photo Booth application. No additional drivers are required.
This article walks through connecting the microscope, confirming that macOS detects it, and viewing the live microscope image using Photo Booth.
What You Will Need
- Plugable USB2-MICRO-250X microscope
- A Mac with a USB-A port, or a compatible USB-C to USB-A adapter
- Photo Booth, included with macOS
How to Use the Microscope With Photo Booth
- Connect the microscope.
Connect the USB2-MICRO-250X directly to your Mac, or through a compatible USB adapter if required. Allow a few seconds for macOS to recognize the device.
The microscope LEDs do not turn on simply because the microscope is connected. The microscope must be active in a camera application, and the grey light-control wheel may need to be turned up.
- Confirm that macOS detects the microscope.
Click the Apple menu while holding the Option key, then select System Information.
Select USB in the left-hand column and look for a device listed as Digital Microscope.
If the microscope appears in the USB device list, macOS is correctly detecting it.
- Open Photo Booth.
Open Photo Booth from the Applications folder, or press Command + Space and search for Photo Booth.
Photo Booth may initially display the image from your Mac's built-in camera.
- Select the microscope as the camera source.
In Photo Booth, select Camera from the menu bar, then select Digital Microscope.
The live view should switch to the microscope image.
To switch between taking photos and recording video, use the controls in the lower-left corner of the Photo Booth window.
- Adjust the focus and lighting.
- Rotate the focus wheel on the microscope until the image becomes sharp.
- Use the grey inline light-control wheel to turn on the microscope LEDs and adjust their brightness.
- Move the microscope closer to or farther from the subject as needed.
Expected Result
Photo Booth should display a live image from the USB2-MICRO-250X. You can then adjust the microscope's focus, lighting, and distance from the subject before capturing photos or video.
If the Issue Persists
If the microscope does not appear in Photo Booth or no image is displayed:
- Quit and reopen Photo Booth.
- Confirm that Digital Microscope is selected from the Camera menu.
- Connect the microscope directly to the Mac instead of through a USB hub, if possible.
- Confirm that the microscope appears under System Information > USB.
- Adjust the grey light-control wheel to ensure the microscope LEDs are turned on.
- Restart the Mac if the microscope is not detected.
If the issue continues, contact Plugable Support at support@plugable.com.
Applicable To
- USB2-MICRO-250X, macOS, Photo Booth
