Xbox One Now Supports Third-Party USB Webcams, Starting with Insiders for Now

Looks like one of the biggest requests by Xbox One users is finally getting fulfilled.  Alpha Insiders on Xbox One / Xbox One S are not getting third-party webcam support for video only.

When Microsoft announced Xbox One S, the port for Kinect (the most useless console accessory?) was removed. Instead, Microsoft offered a connector for those who had it from the Xbox One. This was a clear signal that the Kinect wasn’t really delivering the experience that Microsoft expected from Gaming Perspective, especially with the Mixed Reality coming up with Fall Creators Update.

Xbox One is essentially powered by Windows 10 under the hood, and as it gets closer, just like Windows 10 PC, Microsoft needs to open up the third party accessory market for the console as well.  Bringing Webcam support seems to be the first step.

There is another reason why Microsoft had to enable this. Mixer. This streaming service which is baked into the system has good numbers, and many would want to use a Webcam they have already. Now all you need to do is plug your webcam, and start using it, and get rid of the Kinect if you have it.

Mike Ybarra shared on Twitter that third-party webcam will only support video for now, and for using Audio you will need to use a headset that works with Xbox One. It can any other service, but for now, it is being restricted to Mixer live-streaming service and Skype video calls. This will help them to squash the bugs.

If you’re not yet in the Xbox Insider program but interested in joining to help test this and other new features, it’s easy to get started. Just navigate to the Store on your Xbox One console, search for the “Xbox Insider Hub,” download the app and start testing new console updates, games and apps.

Once you install the update, you will need to restart your console once to detect the camera, and that would be your last effort.