If you own a Google Pixel and a Nintendo Switch 2, you can now skip buying a separate webcam for GameChat. After a rocky start with phone-to-console video, recent updates appear to have unlocked native Pixel-to-Switch 2 webcam support — no capture cards, no HDMI adapters, no third‑party apps.
What changed
GameChat on the Switch 2 lets groups share gameplay and a live camera feed while they play. Because the console itself lacks a built‑in camera, Nintendo shipped an official USB‑C camera and listed support for a range of USB webcams. Early hands‑on tests and community reports showed some phones — notably Pixels — weren’t reliably recognized when connected in USB “webcam” mode.
That’s changed. Multiple users and outlets testing the setup report that connecting a Pixel with a single USB‑C cable and switching the phone’s USB preference to Webcam (UVC) now lets the Switch 2 accept the phone as a camera for GameChat. One tester used a Pixel 9 Pro; others point to the recent Pixel software drop (the November Pixel Drop and subsequent monthly updates) as the patch that fixed the problem. Whether the fix came from Google’s phone firmware, a Nintendo console update, or both isn’t publicly confirmed; the end result is the same for users: plug in, choose Webcam in USB settings, and you’re on camera.
How to set it up
In practice it’s simple:
- Connect your Pixel to the Switch 2’s USB‑C port with a single USB‑C cable.
- On the Pixel, open USB Preferences and pick the Webcam/UVC option.
- On the Switch 2, start GameChat or the camera input and the phone should appear as an external webcam.
No extra software or capture devices are required if your Pixel exposes UVC. If you tried this at launch and saw the connection drop, try updating your phone first — release notes for recent Pixel firmware specifically mentioned a fix for webcam mode under certain conditions.
Why it matters (and who can do it)
Pixel phones are among the few Android devices that Google configured to support USB Video Class (UVC) mode natively — a capability introduced in early Android 14 updates but which requires manufacturer support to enable. That’s why this isn’t yet a universal Android trick: many phones can’t flip into native webcam mode without third‑party apps or manufacturer changes.
For travelers or anyone who didn’t want to carry an extra peripheral, this is a handy convenience. The Switch 2’s social features are a big part of the console’s appeal, and letting players use a phone they already carry reduces barriers to hopping into a GameChat session.
Nintendo’s console has been gaining momentum — recent data suggests the company is optimistic about Switch 2 demand — and expanded usability like this only helps the ecosystem grow. Nintendo has even adjusted its production outlook as the platform gained traction, and the steady rollout of accessories and compatibility improvements is part of that push (/news/nintendo-switch-2-sales-surge). The broader release cadence and third‑party support that followed launch have kept the system lively, too (/news/nintendo-switch-2-games-release-plan).
If you own a Pixel and a Switch 2: try it. And if you’re still seeing trouble, double‑check that both devices are fully updated, use a good quality USB‑C cable, and toggle the phone’s USB mode again. For many players, the pocketable webcam just arrived.