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Pixel Phones Now Work as Switch 2 Webcams via Simple USB-C Setup

Testing points to a November Pixel firmware fix that restored UVC webcam recognition on Switch 2, with official attribution still unconfirmed.

Overview

  • Multiple outlets confirmed on December 5–6 that Pixel devices can serve as GameChat cameras when connected directly to a Switch 2 with one USB-C cable.
  • Users must switch the Pixel’s USB preferences to webcam/UVC mode before the console recognizes the phone as a camera.
  • At launch, Pixels were not detected by the Switch 2 and many users relied on adapters and capture hardware to make phones work as webcams.
  • Engadget linked the change to Google’s November 2025 Pixel update, which listed a fix for webcam mode not working properly with connected devices under certain conditions.
  • Neither Google nor Nintendo has detailed which update enabled the compatibility, but the Switch 2’s lack of a built-in camera makes this a convenient option for GameChat.