GameChat Guide and FAQ

Requirements to use GameChat

• What do I need to use GameChat?

  GameChat is a Nintendo Switch 2 feature, so first you need a Nintendo Switch 2 system. A Nintendo Switch Online membership and persistent internet connection are required to use GameChat. A connection test is performed during initial setup to confirm that your network environment is able to support GameChat. Previously, during the GameChat Open-Access Period between June 5, 2025 and March 31, 2026, GameChat could be used without a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

  For users under the age of 16, a parent or guardian will need to set up a few things, including linking the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app to your Nintendo Switch 2 console.

  A phone number must be registered to your Nintendo Account to use GameChat. For users under the age of 16, a parent or guardian must register a phone number to their own Nintendo Account on their child’s behalf.

  In order to chat with others, you need users on your Friend List which you have approved to chat with, and who have approved you on their end.

  To use video chat, you’ll need a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately). Typical third-party cameras should also work with GameChat, but compatibility cannot be guaranteed. You can check compatibility using the Test USB Camera feature located in the Nintendo Switch 2 system settings. Voice chat can be used via the microphone built into the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

  Lastly, be sure to adhere to the Nintendo Community Guidelines to keep our online spaces safe and fun for everyone.

• Does GameChat require a Nintendo Switch Online membership?

  Yes, GameChat requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

  However, between June 5, 2025 and March 31, 2026, all Nintendo Switch 2 owners could access GameChat without a membership through the GameChat Open-Access Period.

• Does GameChat require a dedicated microphone to use voice chat?

  Nintendo Switch 2 features a built-in microphone so players can start chatting right away.

  Whether playing in TV, tabletop, or handheld mode, the microphone adjusts itself based on its surroundings. Background noise and game audio are automatically filtered out, and the microphone volume adapts itself to different situations. Players’ voices will be heard loud and clear.

• Can players use cameras other than the Nintendo Switch 2 camera?

  The Nintendo Switch 2 camera is a dedicated USB camera made especially for Nintendo Switch 2. Whether in TV mode, tabletop mode, or handheld mode, simply plug it into the USB-C port on top of the console to get started. The camera's vertical angle can be freely adjusted so everyone can get in on the action.

  Other USB cameras can be used as well, but we cannot guarantee their compatibility. You can check compatibility using the Test USB Camera feature located in the Nintendo Switch 2 system settings.

How to use GameChat

• How does GameChat work?

  Everything starts with the C Menu on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, which can be accessed either from the HOME Menu, or by pressing the C Button botón C bouton C botão C on Joy-Con 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, or the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller. Once you’ve gone through the initial setup, you can create your own GameChat room and invite friends, or join a room you were invited to.

  

  

  

  

  When making a GameChat room, you can only invite users on your Friend List that you have approved to chat with. Users you invite must have also approved you on their end to receive your invitation. Approval settings can be changed at any time. For users under the age of 16 and supervised users, a parent or guardian will need to be involved in the process of creating and managing a Friend List and approving chats using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.

  

  

  

  

  While in a GameChat room, users can share their screen, use voice chat, and even connect a supported USB camera to video chat. Up to twelve total users can participate in a single GameChat room, and up to four can share their screen or video with everyone else at any given time. You can also use the C Menu to change the layout of your own screen, focus on another user’s screen, adjust individual users’ volume level, and access various other settings.

• Get started with GameChat

  Please follow our guidance on first-time setup and how to start or join a GameChat room. For users under the age of 16, please have a parent or guardian join you and they can follow a tailored guide with additional steps.

• Adjust GameChat settings, and what can be adjusted

  You can access GameChat settings by opening the C Menu and selecting Settings. You can manage your chat-approved friends while not in a GameChat room. Other settings, such as screen layout, audio and video, and accessibility options, can be adjusted while you’re actively inside a GameChat room.

• Manage friends who can join you in GameChat

  GameChat is generally limited to people on your Friend List who you approved to chat with. For players age 16 and older, the player creating the GameChat room invites their friends, but similar to a real-life get together, those friends know the player inviting them but may not know each other. Players younger than age 16 and supervised users must be friends with all players in the chat, and those players must be approved by their parent/guardian. Safety features are in place to help players have a safe and secure chat experience, such as the ability to report and block a person if they are not upholding the Nintendo Community Guidelines while on chat. In addition, children under the age of 16 and supervised users will need their parents or guardians to set up the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to use GameChat. This approach ensures parent or guardian involvement in children’s use of GameChat, which is especially important so children can understand how to engage safely online.

• Invite additional friends to an existing GameChat session

  You can invite more friends to your GameChat session in the GameChat Settings.

• Use GameChat's accessibility features (Speech ⇔ Text)

  GameChat includes both a speech to text transcription feature and a text to speech message feature. These can be enabled in System Settings, as well as in Settings while in a GameChat room.

  With speech to text enabled, a transcribed log of everyone’s speech will appear on the side of your screen like a chat box. Text to speech allows you to type messages which will be read aloud to other users. A standard USB keyboard can be used with the Nintendo Switch 2 console for additional ease of use while entering messages. Both of these features are in addition to other standard accessibility features on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, such as screen reading settings, color display options, and more.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• Voice chat with others during Game Chat

  While in a GameChat room, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu. From there, you can select the microphone icon to unmute yourself and begin talking with others in the room. The Nintendo Switch 2 console includes a built-in microphone designed for use with GameChat.

  In addition to muting or unmuting yourself, you can mute or adjust the volume of other users in the room.

  If you run into technical issues using voice chat, you may find the following articles helpful:

  • Microphone Doesn’t Work During GameChat
  • Unable to Hear Other Players During GameChat
• Use a camera to video chat during GameChat

  First, you’ll need to plug in a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately). USB-C cameras can be plugged directly into the Nintendo Switch 2 console, while standard USB cameras can be plugged into the Nintendo Switch 2 dock.

  While in a GameChat room, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu. From there, you can select the video camera icon to enable your video. In Settings, you can choose how much of your camera feed is visible to other users, between face only, body only, and no filter.

  For users under the age of 16, a parent or guardian will need to approve video chat usage through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app each time you want to enable it for a new GameChat room. They can also select which camera visibility options can be chosen on-device when using video chat.

  Please note that only four users in the GameChat room can be sharing their video and/or screen at one time.

  If you run into technical issues using video chat, you may find the following articles helpful:

  • Video Camera Doesn’t Work During GameChat
  • Unable to View Another Player’s Video Camera or Screen Share During GameChat
• Use CameraPlay, Character Avatars, and AR Filters with supported software during GameChat

  Some games support one or more video chat features for GameChat:

  • CameraPlay allows you to see players' faces in-game while you play. (Certain games also support CameraPlay in local multiplayer, outside of GameChat.)
  • Character Avatars allow you to appear as a character from the game, mirroring your expressions and movements.
  • AR Filters allow you to add fun accessories or effects from the game to your camera feed.

  First, you’ll need to plug in a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately). USB-C cameras can be plugged directly into the Nintendo Switch 2 console, while standard USB cameras can be plugged into the Nintendo Switch 2 dock.

  For details on how to use these features in a particular game, search for articles specific to that game. A few examples are included below:

  • How to Use CameraPlay (Mario Kart World)
  • How to Use CameraPlay (Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition)
  • How to Use Character Avatars and AR Filters in GameChat (Star Fox)
• Share your screen during GameChat

  While in a GameChat room, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu. From there, you can select the screen icon with an arrow to share your screen. Please note that only four users in the room can be sharing their video and/or screen at one time.

  Screen sharing may be automatically disabled at times, such as when entering a password or payment information. Software age ratings and parental controls also affect whether your screen is visible on another player’s Nintendo Switch 2 console, and whether you can view another player’s shared screen.

  If you run into technical issues viewing another player’s shared screen, you may find the following article helpful:

  • Unable to View Another Player’s Video Camera or Screen Share During GameChat
• View your own gameplay on a full screen while using GameChat

  GameChat allows you to view your gameplay in full screen while continuing to hear and chat with others, if desired.

  While in a GameChat room, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu. From there, select the Settings icon , then Screen Layout. To hide the other members in the room and view your gameplay only, select the Full Screen option. You can also choose to display or hide the names of active speakers in a specific corner of your screen.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  When you are sharing your video camera feed or screen to others, that will still be displayed to them even if you change your screen layout to hide their shared screens or video feed. You can adjust your video camera and screen sharing options at any time using the C Menu.

• Watch another person's screen without playing anything

  While in a GameChat room, press the C Button botón C bouton C botão C to open the C Menu. From there, you can select a user who is sharing their screen and enlarge their screen. Controls for your own screen will be disabled while another player’s screen is in focus. Your screen will stop being shared and will be replaced with an icon indicating you are watching the other player’s screen. You can adjust the layout through the C Menu when you want to use your screen again.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  If you run into technical issues viewing another player’s shared screen, you may find the following article helpful:

  • Unable to View Another Player’s Video Camera or Screen Share During GameChat
• Start GameChat when using a controller without a C Button

  GameChat can also be accessed via the HOME Menu, which can be brought up by pressing the HOME button.

  

  

  

  
• Use GameShare with GameChat

  For more information about GameShare, please read our overview.

Parental Controls, Safety, and Privacy

• I’m a parent or guardian. How can I manage my child's interactions with people in GameChat?

  Please review our guide for parents and guardians on how to manage your child’s GameChat experience. GameChat is designed with a variety of safety measures in mind for users of all ages, and additional features are included for parents and guardians to get involved.

• Is it possible to prevent children from using GameChat through Nintendo Switch Parental Controls?

  Parents and guardians are encouraged to use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to manage how their children engage with Nintendo products and features. For children under the age of 16, GameChat is restricted by default until a parent or guardian helps them set it up.

  Additionally, children under 16 who are allowed to use GameChat, and older users who have a Supervised Nintendo Account, can only use GameChat with friends who have been approved by their parent or guardian via the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app. The app can also be used to manage restrictions on video chat and review information regarding previous GameChat sessions, such as who the child chatted with and for how long.

• I had an uncomfortable experience with someone while using GameChat. Is there anything I can do?

  We encourage players to report users who don't comply with our Community Guidelines immediately by using the "Report" option in the C Menu while in the GameChat room. It is also possible to submit a report after the chat session ends but the report may not include the evidence needed for us to review the situation. If you report a user while in the room, you will leave the room automatically and be guided through the reporting steps. Users who are found in violation of our Community Guidelines or the GameChat Terms may have their access to GameChat restricted or incur more serious penalties.

  We encourage players to explore adjusting their friend settings as well.

  • You can withdraw chat approval for a friend at any time and you will no longer receive invites from them. You can also remove users from your Friend List.
  • You can block the user, which will prevent you from joining any GameChat room they are invited to and also prevent them from playing with you in online games. This can help if the disruptive player is a friend of your friend, and not on your own friend list.

  For younger users, we recommend talking with your parent or guardian who can help you handle the experience and adjust your settings to avoid disruptive situations in the future.

• Are there any measures taken to address privacy concerns for the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera?

  GameChat is generally limited to people on your Friend List who you have approved to chat with. You can only send invites to, and receive invites from, friends who you have approved. Video chat is an optional feature that requires an additional accessory. Users can choose to show their surroundings, or only their face, or show only their face and body when using GameChat. They can also show the game they’re playing as their background.

  For users under the age of 16 and supervised users, their parent/guardian must approve friends the child can use GameChat with and give permission to join chat sessions. Using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app, parents/guardians can manage restrictions on when and how video chat is used.

• Is Nintendo recording GameChat sessions?

  To support our ability to uphold our Community Guidelines, chat content, including your video and voice chat, is recorded and stored temporarily on your console and on the consoles of others you chat with. If you or someone else in the chat submits a report to us, the last three minutes of the chat are available to submit with the report. For more information, please review the GameChat Terms located in the C Menu on Nintendo Switch 2.

Additional FAQ

• How many people can join GameChat?

  Up to 12 friends can join a GameChat session. A maximum of four friends per session can video chat and share their screen, while any additional friends are limited to audio only. When four people in the room are using video chat or screen share and one of them turns these off, another person can start sharing their video feed or screen.

• Can friends participating in the same GameChat room play different games?

  Yes, everyone can play a different game.

• In GameChat, do you need to be playing games?

  You can join GameChat whether playing games yourself or not.

• How do players know that they are invited to GameChat? How do players join GameChat when invited?

  If someone invites you to a GameChat session, an on-screen notification will appear while playing, and you can easily respond by pressing the C Button botón C bouton C botão C on Joy-Con 2, the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, or the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller, or pressing the HOME button.

  If you use the Nintendo Switch App, you’ll also receive a notification on your smart device. To join GameChat, you’ll need to use your Nintendo Switch 2 console.

• When showing a player’s face in GameChat, how wide will the captured picture be? Can the captured area be adjusted?

  If using the Nintendo Switch 2 camera, the position and angle of the camera can be easily adjusted to a user’s liking. Users can choose to show their surroundings, or show only their face, or show only their face and body when using GameChat. These settings can be restricted using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.

• Nintendo Switch allows voice chat for some software through the Nintendo Switch App. Is GameChat a replacement of that app and its chat function?

  Nintendo Switch users can continue to enjoy voice chat for certain games via the app, but will not be able to join Nintendo Switch 2 GameChat voice or video sessions.

• Will using any of the chat or screen-sharing features impact gameplay performance in any way, such as by causing lag or frame rate drops?

  Delay may happen depending on the network environment and physical distance.

• Can I use the Nintendo Switch 2 console's screen capture button to take an image or video of my GameChat session?

  When taking a screen capture or video during GameChat, only your gameplay is captured: any audio, shared screens, or video feeds from friends will not be included.

  Recording audio is not possible.

• How does GameShare work with GameChat?

  Software that supports GameShare can be used to play together with others over the internet through GameChat. One host player who owns the software can invite friends in the GameChat room to join via GameShare. The specific steps to start a GameShare session, number of friends that can join, and gameplay experience will vary depending on the software and mode selected. You’ll first need to be in a GameChat room with your friends, then start the software and navigate to the in-game menu where GameShare can be started. As long as enough players are in the GameChat room, multiple GameShare sessions can run with different games and different players in the same room.

  Nintendo Switch consoles can only join a GameShare session hosted by a Nintendo Switch 2 console using local wireless communication. A Nintendo Switch 2 console is required both to host and join a GameShare session over the internet via GameChat.

  For more information about GameShare, please read our overview.

• Will third-party games with in-game voice chat features continue to support those features?

  Please check with the publisher of the game about any in-game features.

  In-game voice chat cannot be used while in a GameChat session. You will need to exit GameChat to use those features.