Huawei MateBook X Pro Hidden Webcam: Where It Is

The Huawei MateBook X Pro does not have a hidden webcam in the traditional sense—it has a pop-up camera housed inside the keyboard, between the F6 and F7 keys. Pressing the key releases the camera module upward, and pressing it again retracts it, which is why it’s often called a hidden or pop-up webcam.

Why Huawei Put the Camera in the Keyboard

The MateBook X Pro’s design goal was to maximize screen space by shrinking the bezels around the display. A conventional camera above the screen would force a thicker top bezel, so Huawei relocated the camera to the keyboard deck. This approach, first seen in the 2018 MateBook X Pro, allowed the laptop to have a 91% screen-to-body ratio at the time, a figure that was remarkable for a 13.9-inch laptop.

The trade-off is that the camera angle is low and points up from the keyboard. This makes it awkward for video calls—your face is seen from below, and the camera often captures your chin and nostrils. It also means the camera is physically blocked by your fingers when you’re typing, so you have to stop typing to be visible. These limitations are the main reason Huawei moved back to a more conventional top-bezel camera in later models like the 2022 and 2023 MateBook X Pro, though they kept the pop-up design for the 2020 and 2021 versions.

How the Pop-Up Camera Works

The camera is a small module that sits in the keyboard, roughly where the F7 key would be. It’s spring-loaded and pops up when you press the key. The key itself is a physical switch—it’s not a software toggle, so it works even if the laptop is off or the operating system hasn’t loaded. When you press the key, the camera pops up and the system detects it as a standard USB camera. When you press it again, it retracts flush with the keyboard.

There’s no automatic detection—the camera doesn’t pop up when you start a video call. You have to remember to press the key manually. If you forget, the camera will show a black screen in your video app. The module is also fragile: if you press it while the laptop is in a bag or if something presses on the keyboard, it can pop up and get damaged. It’s a clever engineering solution, but it’s not as seamless as a dedicated camera.

How to Use the Pop-Up Camera

Using the camera is straightforward, but there are a few things to know:

• Press the key with the camera icon (between F6 and F7) to pop the camera up.
• Wait a second for the system to recognize it—the camera will appear as a new device in your video app.
• If the camera doesn’t appear, check that the key is fully pressed and the module is fully extended.
• To retract, press the same key again. The camera will click back into place.
• If the camera is stuck, gently push it down with your finger—it should click back into the keyboard.

There’s no software control to pop the camera up or down. It’s purely mechanical. Some users have found that the camera pops up accidentally when they press the key while typing, especially if they use the F7 key often. If that happens, you can remap the key in the Huawei PC Manager app, but the camera key itself is not remappable—it’s a dedicated hardware switch.

Common Problems and Fixes

Owners of the pop-up camera MateBook X Pro report a few common issues:

• Camera doesn’t pop up: Check if the key is stuck. Press it firmly and release. If it still doesn’t pop, the spring might be broken—this requires service.
• Camera shows black screen: Make sure the camera is fully extended. If it is, check that the camera is enabled in Device Manager (Windows) or System Settings (Linux). Sometimes the camera driver needs a reinstall.
• Camera pops up randomly: This happens when the key is pressed accidentally. Be careful when typing near the F7 key, especially if you use it for shortcuts.
• Camera image is blurry or dark: The camera is a 1MP sensor (720p), so image quality is poor in low light. Use good lighting and consider an external webcam for important calls.

If the camera module breaks, it’s not user-replaceable—you’ll need to contact Huawei support. The keyboard assembly is integrated, so repair costs can be high.

Which Models Have the Hidden Camera?

The pop-up keyboard camera is only on the first-generation MateBook X Pro (2018) and the 2020 and 2021 refreshes. The 2022 and 2023 models moved the camera back to the top bezel, with a 1080p sensor and a physical privacy shutter. So if you’re buying a used MateBook X Pro, check the model year:

• 2018, 2020, 2021: Keyboard pop-up camera (720p).
• 2022, 2023: Top-bezel camera (1080p) with privacy shutter.

The 2020 model also added a fingerprint power button and upgraded the camera to 720p from the 2018’s 1MP. The 2021 model kept the same camera but updated the processor. If you value video call quality, the newer models are a clear upgrade.

Privacy and Security Considerations

The pop-up camera is often touted as a privacy feature—when it’s retracted, it’s physically blocked from seeing you. That’s true, but it’s not a perfect solution. The camera can be popped up remotely if someone has physical access to the laptop or if malware sends a command to the keyboard controller (though that’s unlikely). The physical block is still more secure than a camera without a shutter.

However, the camera’s low angle and poor quality are bigger concerns for most users. For privacy, you can also use the built-in microphone mute switch on the F9 key, which physically disconnects the microphone. That’s a nice touch that not many laptops have.

Alternatives to the Pop-Up Camera

If you’re considering a MateBook X Pro but the camera is a dealbreaker, here are alternatives:

• Use an external webcam: A USB webcam can be clipped to the top of the screen, giving you a normal angle. This is the simplest fix.
• Use your phone as a webcam: Apps like DroidCam or EpocCam let you use your phone’s camera over Wi-Fi or USB. The quality is often better than the built-in camera.
• Consider a different laptop: The Dell XPS 13, Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, and MacBook Air all have conventional top-bezel cameras. They don’t have the same screen-to-body ratio, but they have better cameras.
• For the 2022/2023 MateBook X Pro: These have the top-bezel camera, so if you want a MateBook, get the newer model.

If you’re buying used, be aware that the pop-up camera is a known weak point—check that it pops up and retracts smoothly before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the camera hidden in the screen bezel?

No, it’s in the keyboard, between the F6 and F7 keys. It pops up when you press the key. There’s no camera in the bezel at all on the 2018-2021 models.

Can I disable the pop-up camera?

Yes, you can disable it in Device Manager (Windows) by right-clicking the camera and selecting “Disable.” Or you can just not press the key to pop it up. There’s no software to lock it, but the physical retraction is a good enough block.

Does the camera work with Linux?

Yes, the camera is a standard UVC device, so it works with most Linux distributions. It may require a driver for the keyboard key to pop it up, but the camera itself is recognized as a USB camera. Some users have reported that the key works out of the box on Ubuntu, but others need to install a kernel module.

What is the camera resolution?

The 2018 model has a 1MP sensor (720p). The 2020 and 2021 models also have 720p. The 2022 and 2023 models have 1080p. None of them are great for video calls in low light.

Is the camera safe from hackers?

The physical retraction is a strong security feature—when it’s down, no software can see through it. However, if a hacker has remote access, they could theoretically pop the camera up if the keyboard controller is compromised. That’s unlikely, but you can disable the camera in Device Manager for extra security.

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