GameChat Guide and FAQ

What do I need to use GameChat?

GameChat is a Nintendo Switch 2 feature, so the first thing you'll need is a Nintendo Switch 2 console. A persistent internet connection is required to use GameChat. A connection test is performed during the initial setup process to confirm that your network environment is able to support GameChat. Welcome Offer: GameChat can be enjoyed for free until the end of March 2026. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

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'll need users on your friend list who you have approved chatting for and who have also 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. 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.

How do I get started with GameChat?

Please follow our guidance on first-time setup and how to start or join a GameChat session. For users under the age of 16, please have a parent or guardian join you during the setup process. They'll be able to follow a tailored guide with additional steps.

How does GameChat work?

Everything starts with the GameChat menu on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, which can be accessed either from the icon on the HOME Menu or by pressing the C Button on the Joy-Con 2 (R), the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller or the Nintendo GameCube controller. Once you've gone through the initial setup, you can create your own GameChat session and invite friends to it, or join a session you've been invited to.

To invite or be invited, both sides must manually approve each other to use GameChat together. When creating a GameChat session, you can only invite users on your friend list that you have approved chatting for. Those users 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, a parent or guardian will need to be involved in this process using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app.

While in a GameChat session, users can share their screen, use voice chat and even connect a supported USB camera (sold separately) to use video chat. Up to twelve total users can participate in a single GameChat session, and up to four can be sharing their screen or video with everyone else at any given time. You can also use the GameChat menu to change the layout of your own screen, focus on another user's screen, adjust individual users' volume levels and access various other settings.

How do I adjust GameChat settings, and what can be adjusted?

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

I'm a parent or guardian. How can I be sure my child is safe while interacting with people online?

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.

Does GameChat include any accessibility features?

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 session. 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, colour display options and more.

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

You can report users for bad behaviour directly within a GameChat session, as well as after leaving a session. If you report a user while in a session, you will leave the session automatically. Users who are found to be in violation of our code of conduct or the GameChat Terms of Use may have their access to GameChat restricted or incur more serious penalties.

If you don't want to report the other user but still don't want to chat with them again, there are a few other options.

• If the user is on your friend list and you had approved them for chatting, you can revoke that approval and will no longer receive invites from them. You can also remove them from your friend list.

• You can block the user, which will prevent you from joining any GameChat session they are invited to and will also prevent them from playing with you in online games.

For younger users, we recommend talking with your parent or guardian so that they can help you handle the experience and adjust these settings to protect you in the future.

How do I use voice chat with others during GameChat?

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

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

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

• Microphone Doesn't Work During GameChat

How do I use a camera to video chat during GameChat?

First, you'll need to connect a compatible USB camera, such as the Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately). USB cameras with a USB-C connector can be connected directly to the Nintendo Switch 2 console, while standard USB cameras can be connected to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock.

While in a GameChat session, press the C Button to open the GameChat 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. You can select to display only your face, your face and body but not your background, or the full camera view.

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 use it in a new GameChat session. 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 session can share their video and/or screen at one time.

If you run into 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

How do I share my screen during GameChat?

While in a GameChat session, press the C Button to open the GameChat menu. From there, you can select the screen icon with an arrow to share your screen. Please note that only four users in a session can share 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 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

Can I choose not to see other people's screens and instead view my 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 session, press the C Button to open the GameChat menu. From there, select the Settings icon, then Display. 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.

Can I just watch another person's screen without playing anything myself?

Yes. While in a GameChat session, press the C Button to open the GameChat menu. From there, you can select a user who is sharing their screen and enlarge it. Controls for your own screen will be disabled while another player's screen is in focus. You can adjust the layout through the GameChat menu when you want to use your screen again.

If I start a GameChat session and want to add another friend, how can I add them?

Once you've created a GameChat session, you can't add anyone else without ending the session and starting a new one.

How do I use GameShare via GameChat?

For more information about GameShare, please read our overview.

What is GameChat? How is it different from playing with friends online using a Nintendo Switch console?

GameChat is a brand-new feature on Nintendo Switch 2 and lets a group of up to 12 friends chat while playing games.

Once GameChat has been set up, up to four players can also share their game screen in real time while they play, even when playing different games.

By connecting a compatible USB camera (sold separately), up to four players can see each other via video chat.

How many people can join GameChat?

Up to 12 friends can join a GameChat session. A maximum of four friends per session can use video chat and share their screens, while any additional friends are limited to audio only.

How do you manage friends who join GameChat?

GameChat will be limited to people on your friend list who you approve for chatting. 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 in a chat session. In addition, children under the age of 16 will need their parents or guardians to set up the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app before they can use GameChat. This approach ensures parent or guardian involvement in children's use of GameChat, which is especially important so that children can understand how to engage safely with others online.

Can friends participating in the same GameChat session 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 on the Joy-Con 2 (R), a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller or a Nintendo GameCube controller, or by pressing the HOME Button.

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

It seems that players can enjoy GameChat only by voice chat as well, but does it require a dedicated microphone?

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

Whether playing in TV mode, tabletop mode 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.

Is it possible to prevent children from using GameChat via Parental Controls settings?

Parents and guardians are encouraged to use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device 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, or those who have Parental Controls set on their console, can only use GameChat with friends who have been approved by their parent or guardian via the app. The app can also be used to place restrictions on video chat and review details regarding previous GameChat sessions.

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

The Nintendo Switch 2 camera (sold separately) is a dedicated USB camera made especially for Nintendo Switch 2. Whether in TV mode, tabletop mode or handheld mode, simply connect it to 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. There is also a feature on the Nintendo Switch 2 console that will verify if the camera you own will work on GameChat or not.

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 only their face, their face and body but not their background, or the full camera view when using GameChat.

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

GameChat is limited to people on your friend list who you approve for chatting. Additionally, video chat is an optional feature that requires an additional accessory. Users can choose to show only their face, their face and body but not their background, or the full camera view when using GameChat. They can also show the game they're playing as their background.

Does GameChat require a Nintendo Switch Online membership?

Welcome Offer: GameChat can be enjoyed for free until the end of March 2026. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

How can you 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.

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

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

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 Capture Button to take a screenshot or video of my GameChat session?

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

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.