GameChat is a brand new feature that you can use on Nintendo Switch 2 to chat with your friends while playing online.

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about GameChat.

What do you need to use GameChat?

First, you need a Nintendo Switch 2 system in order to use GameChat. GameChat is not compatible with Nintendo Switch.

Next, a paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to use GameChat. You can purchase a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership for 12 months on Amazon here.

From June 5, 2025 to March 31, 2026, you can use GameChat for free as part of a limited time offer from Nintendo. This means that you can enjoy GameChat during the promotional period even without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Once you have met the two requirements above, make sure you have authenticated your identity by verifying your phone number on your Nintendo Account. This is a requirement to keep players safe on GameChat. Click here to read our guide on phone verification.

How to use GameChat?

GameChat can be used in three ways.

1. Press the C button

Simply press the C button on the right Joy-Con 2 or Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller to instantly pull up the GameChat menu. There, you will be able to invite friends to use GameChat with you.

1. Access GameChat through the HOME Menu

Go to the HOME Menu and select GameChat in the bottom row of applets to pull up the GameChat menu. There, you will be able to invite friends to use GameChat with you.

1. Wait for a GameChat invitation

When a friend invites you to use GameChat, you will receive a notification on Nintendo Switch 2. You can choose to accept or decline the invitation.

Note: Before accepting or declining an invitation, you will be able to see who else your friend has invited to the GameChat session.

Three ways that you can use GameChat

There are three primary ways you can use GameChat.

1. Voice chat

You can voice chat with up to 24 friends in the same room. Voice chat works through the built-in microphone on your Nintendo Switch 2 system, and it can detect and transmit your voice even when you’re sitting far away from it.

1. Video chat

You can enjoy video chat with up to 4 friends at the same time. If you want to show your face on camera, you need a Nintendo Switch 2 Camera or compatible USB-C camera. The same applies for your friends. You can choose to display your face in three ways: showing your face and your surroundings, showing only your face and upper body (background removed), or showing just your face (upper body and background removed).

1. Screen Sharing

You can share what you’re playing in real time with up to 4 friends through screen sharing, and see what they’re playing at the same time as well. You can also choose the screen size you want.

Note: You can voice chat with up to 24 people in the same room even while using video chat and/or screen sharing. Video chat and/or screen sharing is supported for up to 4 out of 24 people in the same room.

GameShare via GameChat

GameShare allows players to share and play multiplayer Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games with other players online and offline – only one player (the person sharing it) needs to own a copy of the game. The concept is similar to DS Download Play on the Nintendo DS family of systems.

Some games support GameShare via GameChat, which lets you enjoy multiplayer games with your friends online without owning a copy of the game.

For more information on GameShare via GameChat, please check out our guide here.

User safety

Nintendo takes user safety very seriously. If you ever feel uncomfortable chatting with a stranger who made inappropriate remarks or behaves in a strange way, you can report the user to Nintendo. For more information, please read our article on GameChat’s user safety.

In addition, children that use supervised child accounts cannot freely use GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2. The use of GameChat must first be approved by the parent/guardian through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app, and the parent/guardian must approve or reject any incoming or outgoing GameChat invitations by the child. In addition, the parent/guardian can enable/disable voice chat, video chat, and screen sharing, or adjust their settings (such as choosing how their child’s face appears to other users).