Picture this: you’re out biking with your GoPro strapped to your helmet, capturing every twist and turn of the trail, when you decide to hop on Instagram Live to show your followers the ride in real-time. Or maybe you’re a small business owner livestreaming a tutorial on TikTok, wanting to switch between your phone’s camera and a second device to give viewers a better angle on your latest handmade creation. If you’re a Google Pixel 9 user, you’re in luck—Google’s rolling out a slick new feature called “Connected Cameras” that makes all of this a breeze.

First spotted by 9to5Google, Connected Cameras is part of the latest March Pixel update, which started hitting devices earlier this week. It’s not just another minor tweak either—this feature could genuinely change how Pixel 9 owners shoot and share video, especially if you’re into livestreaming or just love experimenting with creative angles.

A new way to shoot and stream

At its core, Connected Cameras lets your Pixel 9 connect to another camera—like a GoPro or even another Pixel phone—and use it as a remote lens. Once linked, you can livestream or record video from that secondary device directly through your Pixel 9, all while using popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Oh, and yes, you can still slap on those fun in-app filters to jazz things up.

Think of the possibilities. If you’re a content creator, you could set up your Pixel 9 on a tripod to frame your face while a GoPro captures a wide shot of your workspace. Or if you’re an adventurer, you could leave your phone in your backpack and stream your hike from a chest-mounted GoPro, all without missing a beat. It’s a simple idea, but one that feels tailor-made for anyone who’s ever wished their phone could juggle multiple perspectives at once.

How to get started

Getting this feature up and running is pretty straightforward, though it’s not switched on by default. To enable it, head over to your Pixel 9’s Settings app, then tap Connected devices > Connection preferences > Connected Cameras. There, you’ll see a toggle—flip it on, and you’re good to go.

Once activated, you’ll notice a little floating icon called the “Camera Picker” popping up whenever you’re in a supported app. This handy tool lets you add a remote camera, switch between devices, or disconnect them as needed. If it’s not in use, the Camera Picker shrinks down to stay out of your way. And if it’s bugging you? Just press and hold it, drag it to the “X” at the bottom of your screen, and poof—it’s gone. Google’s got a helpful explainer on its support page.

What devices work—and what’s the catch?

Right now, Connected Cameras is exclusive to the Pixel 9 series (sorry, Pixel 8 folks), but the secondary camera can be a Pixel 6 or newer, or a GoPro Hero 10 or later—provided they’re running the latest software. That’s a decent range of options, especially if you’ve got an older Pixel lying around or you’re already a GoPro enthusiast.

There are a couple of limitations to keep in mind, though. For one, you can only connect to one additional camera at a time. Want to switch to a different device? You’ll need to disconnect the first one before pairing the next. Also, both your Pixel 9 and the secondary camera need to be signed into the same Google account. It’s a minor hoop to jump through, but it makes sense for security and syncing purposes.

This isn’t Google’s first rodeo when it comes to camera innovation—Pixel phones have long been praised for their stellar photo quality, thanks to clever software tricks like Night Sight and computational photography. But Connected Cameras feels like a step into new territory, blending hardware flexibility with the kind of seamless integration Google’s known for. It’s not hard to see why they’re testing this out with the Pixel 9 series, which launched late last year.

The timing’s interesting, too. Livestreaming’s bigger than ever—Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok have turned it into a cultural juggernaut, and even casual users are hopping on the bandwagon. According to a 2024 report from Statista, over 30% of U.S. adults have watched a livestream in the past year, and that number’s only climbing. Google’s clearly paying attention, and Connected Cameras could give Pixel users an edge in a crowded field.

For now, this feature’s in its early days, and it’ll be fascinating to see how Pixel 9 owners put it to use. Will it become a go-to tool for influencers and vloggers? Or maybe a niche perk for tech-savvy hobbyists? Either way, it’s a sign Google’s not resting on its laurels when it comes to keeping the Pixel line fresh.

If you’ve got a Pixel 9, go check your settings and give Connected Cameras a spin. And if you don’t? Well, maybe this is the nudge you needed to upgrade—or at least borrow a friend’s phone to see what the fuss is about.