Google Starts Rolling Out Pixel Camera 9.8

With the March 2025 Feature Drop, Google is rolling out Pixel Camera 9.8. Like with all releases, the rollout takes some time before arriving for all users.

This is a smaller update than the last one in December that added Quick access controls. Pixel Camera 9.8 adds a “Turn on animation for Astrophotography” toggle in Settings > Advanced. It’s enabled by default and the past behavior. Google also clarifies that the Palm timer “raise your hand” feature works with the rear camera. 

Pixel Fold users can now use Dual Screen Preview when recording video, while Add Me on the 9 Pro Fold can now appear on the external display. 

Meanwhile, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold users can use the remote Connected Cameras capability. This lets you “seamlessly capture or live stream with supported camera applications using remote cameras.”

That includes the Pixel 6+ and “GoPro 10 and later (up to date with the latest software).” YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are the supported apps. 

You might also need an update to the Device Connectivity Service app for this to work. Officially, this is part of Cross-devices services alongside Call casting and Internet sharing. Once everything is enabled, go to Setting > Connected devices > Connected preferences > Connected Cameras to enable. 

When Connected Cameras is on and you’re using a compatible application, you can find the Camera Picker.

The Camera Picker is a floating pill-shaped container to “add, remove or disconnect a remote camera as well as switch between your device and a remote camera.”

Other things to note, with more details here, include:

• You can only connect to devices that are signed in with your Google Account.
• You can only connect to one remote camera at a time. To connect another remote camera, you’ll need to disconnect the first remote camera.
• Audio is sourced from the camera that is currently in use.
• Using a Bluetooth audio source may degrade the streaming quality.

Pixel Camera 9.8 is rolling out via the Google Play Store, or you can sideload it here.

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