How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Gaming Services
How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller
Connect your Xbox controller to Stadia
By Jeremy Laukkonen Jeremy Laukkonen Writer Shoreline Community College Jeremy Laukkonen is automotive and tech writer for numerous major trade publications. When not researching and testing computers, game consoles or smartphones, he stays up-to-date on the myriad complex systems that power battery electric vehicles . lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Using an Xbox Controller With Stadia Use the Controller on Chrome via USB Use the Controller via Bluetooth Use the Controller on Your Phone Use the Controller Wirelessly Extra: Problems With Stadia and an Xbox Controller Stadia is Google's game streaming service that has its own wireless controller, but you don't actually need a Stadia controller to use the Stadia service. If you have an Xbox controller handy, you can use it to play Stadia games on your computer or phone and avoid the extra expense of buying a Stadia controller. Here's how to connect Xbox and Stadia. Using an Xbox Controller With Stadia
While Xbox controllers work just fine with Stadia, the situation is a little complicated. There are a few main types of Xbox controllers that you're most likely to own: wired and wireless Xbox 360 controllers, Xbox One Elite controllers, Xbox One controllers, and the revised version of the Xbox One controller that first shipped with the Xbox One S. There are also three main ways to play Stadia: on a computer with the Chrome browser, on a phone with the Stadia app, and on a TV with Chromecast Ultra. Pixabay Use the following compatibility chart to see if you can use your Xbox controller wirelessly or wired with Chrome or Android: Device Chromecast Ultra Google Chrome Phone Xbox One Controller (New) No USB & Bluetooth USB & Bluetooth Xbox One Controller (Old) No USB USB Xbox One Elite Controller No USB USB Xbox 360 Controller No USB USB Once you've figured out which options are available based on your hardware, you'll need to locate the corresponding set of instructions below to start playing Stadia with your Xbox controller. How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller on Chrome via USB
This is the easiest and most reliable way to play Stadia with an Xbox controller, as it works with the widest variety of Xbox controllers, Xbox controllers have built-in support for Windows 10, and you can even use this method with macOS if you download an additional driver from Github. This method works for most Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers. Install the Chrome web browser if you don't already have it installed. Stadia requires Chrome version 77 or greater. Update your Chrome installation if necessary. Connect your Xbox controller to your computer with a USB cable. Wait for your computer to recognize the controller and install any necessary drivers. Some Mac users will need to download and install 360Controller from Github to use an Xbox 360 controller. Open Chrome, and navigate to stadia.google.com. You're ready to start playing. Some Mac users have reported that Stadia doesn't recognize their Xbox controller, but that the controller works after launching a game. Try launching a game using your mouse, and then check to see if the controller works in-game. How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller on Chrome via Bluetooth
This method is convenient because you don't have to deal with any physical cables, but it doesn't work with all Xbox controllers. Bluetooth is also a little less reliable than using a physical USB cable, so you may experience occasional input lag or dropped inputs when gaming on Stadia with this method. This method only works with Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers, Windows 10, and macOS. If it doesn't work, update your controller and operating system. Install the Chrome web browser if you don't already have it installed. Press the Xbox button on your controller to turn it on. Press the controller's connect button for three seconds, then release it. The connect button is a small round button located next to the USB port. On your Windows 10 PC, select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Bluetooth. On macOS, click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth. On a Windows 10 PC, select Add Bluetooth or other device, then select Xbox Wireless Controller when it appears. On macOS, look for Wireless Controller and click Pair. Navigate to stadia.google.com, and you're ready to start playing. How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller on Your Phone via USB
This method allows you to connect most Xbox controllers to your Android phone with a physical cable. The catch is that you need to buy a USB OTG cable if you don't already have one. This method works with most Xbox One and Xbox 360 controllers. Install the Stadia app on your phone. During the launch window, the Stadia app is only compatible with Pixel 2, 3, 3a and 4, and requires Android 10.0 or greater. Plug a USB OTG cable into your phone. Connect your Xbox controller to the USB OTG cable using a regular USB cable. Open the Stadia app and start playing. How to Use Google Stadia With an Xbox Controller on Your Phone Wirelessly
This method allows you to play Stadia wirelessly on your phone. That's nice, because you don't have to worry about cables, but it doesn't work with as many controllers as the wired method. This method only works with Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controllers. Install the Stadia app on your phone. Turn your Xbox One controller on. Press the controller's connect button for three seconds, then let it go. On your Pixel phone, tap Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device. Tap Xbox Wireless Controller when it appears. Open the Stadia app, and start playing. Problems With Stadia and an Xbox Controller
While you can play most games on Stadia with an Xbox Controller without too many issues, there are a few important differences between the real Stadia controller and Xbox controllers. Most importantly, the Stadia controller has two more buttons than the Xbox controller. Xbox One controllers have a view button that looks like one box in front of another and a menu button that looks like three stacked lines. The Stadia controller, on the other hand, has an options button that looks like an ellipses, a menu button, a Google Assistant button that uses the familiar Google Assistant logo, and a capture button that looks like a camera viewfinder. In some cases, the view button on your Xbox controller will act as the back button in Android, causing unwanted behavior in-game. When issues like this appear, contact the developer of the game you're trying to play and submit a bug report. Most other issues, like an Xbox controller that won't connect or isn't recognized, can be fixed by updating the controller, updating Chrome or the Stadia app, or updating your operating system. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Use External Controllers on Steam Deck How to Set Up Xbox Game Streaming for Your Phone How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a PC Google Stadia vs. Microsoft Project xCloud Using the XBox SmartGlass Controller How to Fix an Xbox One Controller That Won't Turn On How to Use Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons on PC How to Connect PS4 or Xbox Controllers to Switch How to Use a PS4 Controller to Play Google Stadia How to Connect an Xbox One Controller to Android How to Add and Use an External Hard Drive with Xbox Series X or S How to Fix It When Your Stadia Controller Won't Connect How to Fix It When an Xbox One Controller Won't Recognize the Headset Amazon Luna vs. Google Stadia: What's the Difference? How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PC How to Fix An Xbox One Mic That Isn't Working Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies