Smartphones, both Android and iPhone, can officially connect to the Nintendo Switch 2 to act as a high-definition webcam. This allows you to enjoy significantly better image quality in GameChat – and saves you the hassle of purchasing an official accessory. However, you'll need adapters, because yes, it's not wireless.
It's a rather pleasant surprise, after the cold shower. When presenting the Switch 2, Nintendo unveiled new features – including GameChat, which allows you to play with several people. All with video retransmission of your reactions. However, using this last option involves purchasing an additional accessory: a “Camera” (that’s its official name) for €59.99… capable of reaching a “mind-blowing” definition of 1080p.
This will increase the already significant investment for players, but fortunately Nintendo had some good news up its sleeve. Indeed, the accessory, connected via USB-C, can be substituted by practically any other generic video device using the same type of connector. When asked about the issue by Internet users, the brand later confirmed that the video stream from an Android smartphone or an iPhone can officially replace the accessory.
How to use your smartphone as a webcam in GameChat on the Nintendo Switch 2
This, in addition to saving money, allows for a significantly better quality image – by taking advantage of higher-end sensors. YouTuber Niles Mitchell of the Will It Work YouTube channel explains in this video how to connect your Android smartphone or iPhone to the Switch 2 to use it instead of the official webcam.
Unfortunately, it's still a bit of a DIY aspect. The wire is mandatory, as you'll have understood. But as a bonus, you'll need two adapters: an HDMI to USB-C converter, as well as a USB-C HDMI capture cable. The YouTuber also recommends installing an application that allows you to display the image from the sensors, without various interface elements and other buttons that will otherwise be found in the image that other players will see.
The rest is relatively simple: connect the HDMI capture cable to the iPhone, then the latter to the HDMI to USB-C converter – itself connected to the Nintendo Switch 2. This small chain of adapters will be detected as if it were a classic webcam. All you have to do after that is open the application that allows you to display the image in full screen on your iPhone, then start your game.
It should be noted that you can use any video source via this method, such as that of a computer, for example. This is enough to fear abuses that could lead Nintendo to limit this functionality in the more or less short term...
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