According to The Verge, you can now use Google Pixel smartphones as a webcam for the Nintendo Switch 2 with just a single USB-C cable, eliminating the need for extra HDMI adapters. This direct connection enables the Switch 2’s GameChat feature, which superimposes players’ faces over livestreams during multiplayer matches in games like Mario Kart World. The functionality was tested and confirmed using a Pixel 9 Pro running the Android 16 December software release. It was not working at the console’s launch, despite Nintendo’s claims of broad USB webcam support, requiring users to employ cumbersome workarounds. It’s unclear if a Google or Nintendo update fixed the issue, but the change is a significant quality-of-life improvement for players on the go.
A quiet but welcome fix
Here’s the thing: this isn’t a flashy new feature. It’s Nintendo and Google finally making something work the way you’d logically expect it to. At launch, the process was a mess. You needed your phone, a USB-C to HDMI adapter, and an HDMI capture cable. That’s a ridiculous amount of dongle-juggling for a feature that’s supposed to be casual and social. The fact that it now works with one cable is how it should have worked from day one. It feels less like an innovation and more like the companies finally got around to fixing a basic compatibility bug. But hey, I’ll take it.
Why this matters for GameChat
So why bother? For most solo players, a webcam is pointless. But if you’re diving into the Switch 2’s social ecosystem, GameChat is a core part of the experience. It’s not just voice chat; it’s that picture-in-picture face cam that makes multiplayer feel more personal. Without a camera, you’re missing a chunk of that. Carrying a dedicated webcam when traveling with your Switch 2 is a pain. Your phone, however, is always with you. This fix basically turns your high-quality Pixel camera into a portable accessory for your console. It’s a clever use of hardware people already own, and it lowers the barrier to actually using GameChat as intended. You can see it in action in this video breakdown.
The bigger picture of console ecosystems
Look, this small fix hints at a larger, ongoing struggle for console makers. We’re in an era where our phones are incredibly powerful, versatile computers. Consoles are still largely walled gardens. When they do open up to peripheral devices like webcams, the compatibility is often shaky. This Pixel fix shows progress, but it also raises questions. Will it work with Samsung phones? What about iPhones? The Verge notes iPhones previously needed the adapter workaround too—is that still the case? This piecemeal, device-by-device compatibility feels archaic. In a world where a standard USB webcam should just work, we’re celebrating that one brand of phone now works with one cable. It’s a win, but a small one that highlights how far these platforms still have to go in playing nicely with others.
