Thinking of buying a camera for your new Nintendo Switch 2? You might not need to. Your smartphone can easily stand in as a camera with just a couple of inexpensive cables.

Teh Switch 2 is known to support external USB cameras. If you have one with a USB-C connection, you can plug it right in. But what if you want to use the camera you already carry everywhere – the one on your phone?

According to the YouTube channel Will IT Work, the Nintendo Switch 2 is compatible with modern smartphones using an HDMI-to-USB-C conversion cable.

By connecting a USB-C-to-HDMI cable to your smartphone and then connecting an HDMI capture cable,your phone essentially becomes a USB camera for the Switch 2.

Will IT Work recommends the free Truevistage request, which displays the phone’s camera feed full-screen without any distracting buttons.

Once connected, the Switch 2 will display the phone’s video feed. The Switch 2 even has a built-in camera test feature to ensure everything is working correctly.

Nintendo sells its own switch 2 camera for $54.99, but its a dedicated device you might not use for anything else.Using your phone is a convenient and cost-effective option, especially for Gamechat sessions. you’re likely to have your phone with you when playing on the go, saving you from carrying an extra camera.

The cables needed for this setup cost around $30.98, according to Amazon product pages shown by the Will IT work video. This coudl save you around $24 compared to Nintendo’s official camera (or $29 if you want the Piranha Plant version). Plus, you avoid buying another accessory that might not get much use.

The Switch 2 even has a built-in camera test feature to ensure everything is working correctly.

Understanding Camera Compatibility and Alternatives

Using your smartphone as a camera for the Nintendo Switch 2 is a clever workaround, but it highlights broader trends in device compatibility and the increasing versatility of smartphones. Here’s a closer look: