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Connect your Pixel to another device with a USB cable that supports data, open the Pixel’s “Charging this device through USB” notification, then select “Webcam” under “Use USB for.” Tap the Webcam notification to preview and adjust the camera. The receiving device must support USB Video Class (UVC).
Before you connect: check the cable and receiving device
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer; a charge-only cable will not meet Google’s requirement. Make sure the cable’s connectors fit both the Pixel and the device receiving the video. Google does not specify a particular cable brand or model. Google’s Pixel Camera Help instructions describe the cable requirement.
The receiving device also needs USB Video Class (UVC) support. Google lists laptops, TVs, cars, other phones, and tablets as examples of devices that can use the Pixel’s webcam feed, provided they support UVC. Device type alone does not guarantee compatibility.
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Turn on webcam mode
- Connect the Pixel to the receiving device with the data-capable USB cable.
- On the Pixel, tap the notification labeled “Charging this device through USB.”
- Under “Use USB for,” select “Webcam.”
- To see the camera preview or adjust the camera, tap the Webcam notification at the top of the Pixel’s screen.
These are Google’s documented steps and interface labels. If the USB notification is not visible, check the Pixel’s notifications after connecting it; the documented route to the setting begins from “Charging this device through USB.”
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What happens while the Pixel is serving as a webcam
- The phone can still be used: You can use other apps or turn off the Pixel’s screen while webcam mode is active.
- The phone charges: Google says the Pixel charges normally over USB in this mode.
- Camera use can pause the feed: If a video call or another app uses the Pixel’s camera, the webcam stream pauses and resumes automatically when that camera use ends.
These behaviors are documented by Google. A temporary pause while another app uses the camera is therefore different from the Pixel-to-receiver compatibility limitation below.
Important limitation: Pixel-to-Pixel webcam use
Google says a Pixel cannot currently use this webcam mode for another Pixel device. The reason given is that Pixel devices do not support UVC cameras. This limitation applies to using one Pixel as the webcam for another Pixel; it does not negate Google’s examples of supported receiving-device categories when the receiver supports UVC.
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If webcam mode does not appear or the video does not work
- Check the cable: Confirm that it supports data transfer, not charging alone, and that its connectors fit both devices.
- Check the receiving device: Confirm that it supports USB Video Class (UVC). Google identifies UVC support as a requirement.
- Check the USB selection: On the Pixel, return to “Charging this device through USB,” then choose “Webcam” under “Use USB for.”
- Check for another camera app: If an app on the Pixel is using its camera, the webcam stream pauses and resumes automatically after that use ends.
- Check whether the receiver is another Pixel: Google documents that Pixel-to-Pixel use is not currently supported because Pixel devices do not support UVC cameras.
For Google’s full instructions, including the documented setup and behavior, see Use your Pixel phone as a webcam.
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