A silent update has enabled the use of a Pixel phone in USB webcam mode with the Switch 2.
What you should know:
– Google Pixel phones inherently function as USB webcams, but this capability was not compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2.
– Now, after a subtle update, you can utilize your Pixel phone as a webcam for the Switch 2.
– The webcam functionality on the Switch 2 enhances the GameChat feature, allowing users to video call and share gameplay screens with friends.
Google provides a variety of useful features on Pixel phones, including the functionality to serve as USB webcams. This feature was initially introduced in Android 14 QPR1, but Google Pixel devices remain the sole Android phones that support it. By adhering to the USB Video Class webcam standard, you can connect a Pixel to a host device and use its camera as a webcam. Currently, this capability is functional with the Nintendo Switch 2.
As noticed by user Nadir92 on X (previously Twitter) and reported by Android Authority, the GameChat feature on the Switch 2 now functions with Pixel phones. By linking a USB-C cable between your Switch 2 and a Pixel phone, you can make use of the phone’s live camera feed for GameChat.
Nintendo’s innovative GameChat feature is a significant addition to the Switch 2, facilitating gameplay in an engaging group setting with friends. Once connected to a webcam, users can enter a group video call and share their screens. This function is compatible with various games, providing an ingenious approach to playing Switch 2 games remotely with others. However, there is one drawback — the Nintendo Switch 2 lacks a built-in camera.
Nintendo states that the Switch 2’s GameChat feature supports most USB webcams. The company even offers a first-party camera accessory for $50 explicitly designed for Game Chat. Nonetheless, this accessory is relatively large and is more suited for a home gaming setup rather than portability.
Hence, utilizing a smartphone — a gadget equipped with multiple cameras and a USB-C port that most individuals already have on hand — is ideal for GameChat functionality on the Switch 2. Regrettably, the Google Pixel USB webcam mode was not compatible with GameChat at the Switch 2’s launch. This issue has now been rectified, providing Pixel phone users with a convenient GameChat webcam that is always accessible.
It remains uncertain whether an update from Google or Nintendo enhanced the compatibility between these devices. Regardless, it’s a positive development for Switch 2 owners who also possess a Pixel, as they have just discovered a new way to utilize GameChat.
