Google has announced a powerful new camera feature that allows Pixel users to shoot video from multiple angles by adding a wirelessly connected external camera. This functionality is possible without the use of third-party streaming apps, unlike on rivals such as the iPhone.
March 9 Update below: I’ve added some of my experiences using Connected Cameras. I originally posted this article on March 6.
March 8 Update below: Google has started rolling out the Connected Cameras feature, and users can now enable it. I originally posted this article on March 6.
The new feature, Connected Cameras, is part of Google’s March Pixel Feature Drop, which includes several enhancements to Google’s smartphone lineup, including the Pixel 6 and up.
However, with Connected Cameras, exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, users will soon be able to connect wirelessly to an external camera and stream video from two different angles when using the Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok apps.
When using a compatible app, you can switch back and forth between local and remote cameras at will to create more engaging videos without having to shoot multiple takes. During capture, audio is recorded from whichever camera is in use at the time.
March 8 Update: Connected Cameras feature now rolling out to users. Here’s how it works.
Google’s Connected Cameras feature is now available to Pixel 9 series owners. A quick way to find it is to launch the Pixel Tips app and look for an entry labeled “Use another Pixel’s camera.” Tapping on this tile will launch a short step-by-step tutorial showing you how to connect a second Pixel phone as a remote camera. If you want to hook up a GoPro instead, swipe right from here to see instructions on how to set up your camera.
Alternatively, you can go into your Pixel’s settings and search for “connected. ” This should locate the new Connected Cameras settings page. Swipe right on the “Use Connected Cameras” toggle switch to turn the feature on.
Now you’re ready to open your streaming app and use Connected Cameras. The feature currently supports Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. If you have a Pixel 9 series device and don’t see Connected Cameras available, make sure your smartphone is fully updated and that you have the latest versions of Device Connectivity Service and Pixel Camera Services installed from the Google Play Store. Note that Google’s lower-cost A-series Pixels aren’t compatible with the Connected Cameras feature and won’t work as a remote device.
March 9 Update: I’ve added some of my experiences using Connected Cameras. I originally posted this article on March 6.
Google Pixel Connected Cameras Feature: Still Needs Work
The Connected Cameras feature is a powerful addition to the Pixel 9 range, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. Here are a few of my initial thoughts.
Switching between cameras is slow
Each time you switch cameras, you’ll have to endure a three-second countdown before the feed switches over to the other camera. There’s no way to quickly flip back and forth. Furthermore, every time you connect to a remote camera, you must grant access from the remote device. If you’ve set up your remote camera some distance away, then you’re going to have to walk over to it and grant access each time you connect.
No easy way to switch between camera lenses
Your remote camera can share either the rear or front camera, but you have to make this choice when you start the connection. You can’t switch camera lenses on the remote device while you’re connected.
Switching between multiple remote device is painful
Only one remote camera can be connected at a time. If you want to start using a different remote camera, you must first switch back to your local camera before disconnecting the remote one. Only then can you connect to a different device. If you don’t follow these steps the “Add Pixel “ button simply does nothing.
The default camera app isn’t supported
Connected Cameras only works with supported social media apps. You can’t just fire up the Pixel camera and use Connected Cameras from there. This means your control over camera settings is limited by the app you’re using — you probably won’t get access to all the settings available in the default camera app.
It doesn’t always work.
I’ve found that camera sharing sometimes just refuses to work even though the remote device is connected and supposedly sharing correctly. Restarting one or both of the devices will usually fix this.
Original article continues below:
Your remote camera can be a Pixel 6 or newer or a GoPro Hero 10 and up. You can pair multiple remote cameras simultaneously, but only one can be connected to your session at a time. This limitation is somewhat restrictive, but if you haven’t already traded in your older Pixel, Connected Cameras may be the perfect way to make good use of that unused smartphone.
How To Enable Connected Cameras On The Google Pixel 9 Series
You can enable Connected Cameras in the Connected Devices section of your smartphone’s settings. Once the feature is available to you, a new option will appear there.
When Connected Cameras is enabled, a new camera picker appears on the screen whenever you stream video with a compatible app. The camera picker then allows you to switch between cameras while streaming and add or remove new ones from the list.
The Connected Cameras feature requires a Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL or Pixel 9 Pro Fold as your primary device.
Google Pixel Connected Cameras: Possible Drawbacks
One important restriction with Connected Cameras is that, because it relies on Google’s cross-device services feature, you’ll have to sign in on both devices with your Google Account. This means you can’t connect a friend’s Pixel 6 as a remote camera on an ad hoc basis, for example.
Another restriction I foresee becoming an issue for many is the automatic switching of audio recording to whichever camera is active. While this makes sense for the most part, there are many situations where you might want to continue recording audio from the primary device while switching the view to the remote camera—such as when you’re recording a voiceover and want to switch to a different view while you continue talking.
Switching between cameras isn’t instantaneous — you’ll see a countdown on screen when switching from one camera to another. This means you can’t make quick cuts from one camera view to another, making the Connected Cameras feature significantly less useful in some scenarios, for example when you want to switch quickly between showing your face and a closeup of an object you’re unboxing.
There’s also potential for misuse. Remote recording devices can make it easier to covertly record or live stream someone on social media without their knowledge or permission. Making the Connected Cameras feature widely available without the need for third-party apps will only make these forms of misuse.
The March 2025 Pixel Drop is available now, although some features may not be immediately available in all regions.
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