When the Switch 2’s GameChat webcam features first launched, Nintendo said most USB compatible cameras would work on the console to help you stream. That wasn’t true for many smartphones, but it’s now working for those who own modern Google Pixel handsets.
A new update brought the feature to all recent Pixel models, although the exact list of compatible devices remains unclear.
As spotted by Android Authority, an X user said they have now been able to now connect their Switch 2 to their Pixel phone for the first time. Since then, two other owners confirmed the same compatibility, as did the team at The Verge.
It appears one user used GameChat on either a Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold or Pixel 9 Pro Fold, while another found it working with their Google Pixel 9 Pro.
We don’t yet know whether software changes from Google or Nintendo made this possible. If it’s the former, it may be you need to be running the latest Android 16 December update for the feature to work.
The latest Switch 2 software update was version 21.0.1, which landed on Nov. 25. Nintendo’s own list changelog focused on bug fixes and stability improvements.
Google first introduced USB webcam functionality to its smartphones within a release of Android 14 in 2023. So far, no other manufacturers have begun to implement this feature, meaning the Pixel remains the only series of Android devices to work with the Switch 2.
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You can also use your iPhone as a Switch 2 webcam, but you’ll need to buy an adapter. Many other webcam manufacturers have spent the last few months making tweaks to software to support the Switch 2’s GameChat function.
If you can’t be bothered with trialing your own current gadgets, the best option is to buy one Nintendo’s own webcams sold alongside the Switch 2 console. However, that’s not as portable as using the smartphone you already own.
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