You can now use Pixel phones as a Switch 2 webcam
In an exciting development for gamers, the Nintendo Switch 2 has expanded its webcam capabilities to include Pixel smartphones, allowing players to leverage their devices as webcams for enhanced multiplayer experiences. Initially, when the Switch 2 launched, compatibility with various webcams was inconsistent, and while Nintendo claimed that the console could work with most USB webcams, early tests revealed that Pixel smartphones were not usable as webcams, even with the introduction of the USB webcam mode in Android 14. This limitation posed a challenge for gamers wanting to utilize the GameChat feature, which livestreams players’ faces during multiplayer matches, adding a personal touch to the gaming experience.
Recent advancements have changed the game. With the latest updates, users can now seamlessly connect their Pixel smartphones to the Switch 2 using a direct USB-C connection, eliminating the need for additional hardware like USB-C to HDMI adapters or HDMI capture cables. In practical tests, a Pixel 9 Pro was successfully used as a webcam for GameChat by simply switching the USB preferences to “Webcam” mode. This breakthrough allows players to engage with others in multiplayer games like Mario Kart World, where they can not only communicate verbally but also see their opponents’ faces superimposed over the livestream. This feature enhances the social aspect of gaming, making it more interactive and engaging for players who enjoy connecting with others while they play.
The exact cause of this newfound compatibility remains unclear, whether due to recent updates from Google or Nintendo, but it is undoubtedly a welcome improvement for those who frequently travel with their Switch 2. With the ability to use a smartphone as a webcam, gamers no longer need to carry extra equipment, making it easier to maintain social connections in gaming, especially while on the go. This innovation reflects the ongoing evolution of gaming technology and the increasing integration of mobile devices into the gaming ecosystem, offering players more flexibility and convenience in how they experience multiplayer gaming.
That Pixel phone in your pocket is now a Switch 2 webcam. | Photo by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge
When it launched the Switch 2’s
compatibility with various webcams was hit or miss
. A webcam isn’t a necessary accessory, but since the Switch 2 lacks one of its own, you need one to
take full advantage of the console’s GameChat feature
that can livestream players’ faces during multiplayer matches. Switch 2
webcam compatibility has since improved
, but if you don’t already own one, you can now use your Pixel smartphone,
according to
Android Authority
.
Despite Nintendo’s claims that the Switch 2 works with most USB webcams, our own testing confirmed that Pixel smartphones could not be used as webcams at launch, even with the device’s settings switched to the USB webcam mode that Google introduced with Android 14. Switch 2 users eventually found that Android phones and iPhones could be used as a webcam for the console, but with the help of
additional USB-C to HDMI adapters
, and HDMI capture cables.
But extra hardware is no longer needed to use a Pixel smartphone as a Switch 2 webcam. We tested a Pixel 9 Pro connected directly to the Switch 2’s top USB-C port with a single cable and, after switching the USB preferences to “Webcam” mode, we were able to use the smartphone as the camera for GameChat. If you’re playing multiplayer games like
Mario Kart World
, GameChat lets you not only speak with other competitors around the world, but also see them superimposed over a livestream of them playing if you’re using a webcam.
It’s not known if recent updates on Google’s or Nintendo’s end are responsible for making this work (the Pixel 9 Pro we tested it with is running the Android 16 December release), but it’s a welcome upgrade for those who frequently travel with their Switch 2 and don’t want to lug a separate webcam everywhere they go.
