For gamers who use the Stadia controller, you can now switch from a WiFi connection to Bluetooth, which means that you can use it for other platforms as well. All you have to do is enable it through the Stadia website.
A New Feature with a Deadline
Stadia users have been requesting the Bluetooth feature for a while now, and they are finally getting it. However, the update will only be available until December 31st of 2023. Another thing, you won't be able to revert back to a WiFi connection once you switch to Bluetooth.
Once you switch to Bluetooth, the controller will start using Bluetooth Low-Energy connections. To do so, plug in your controller to a computer using USB, and then head to the Stadia page and click on the "Switch to Bluetooth mode" button, as Android Authority instructed.
What to Know Before You Switch
Device compatibility is not a guarantee. Your computer will need a Bluetooth Low-Energy adapter for it to communicate with the controller in Bluetooth mode. The controller systems will still be updated beyond January 18th of 2023 when Stadia servers are shutting down.
It can work with Steam on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and Steam on MacOS 13. It also works with Chrome OS and Android. However, the issue may come from your device, as it may not work with certain hardware configurations.
To connect the controller to a device, you'll have to turn it off and hold the Stadia button until it pulses orange. If the pulse does not appear, hold the Stadia button and the "Y" button at the same time for two seconds.
Head to your device's Settings, and then Bluetooth settings. Select your Stadia controller. If it won't connect, need to approve the controller on your device. If that still does not work, you could ask the controller's manufacturer for instructions.
If the controller is not even appearing on your device, you might need to update your Stadia controller to pair it with your device. If it's still not working, try restarting your controller, rebooting your device, and then trying again, as instructed by Google.
If you don't want to use the Bluetooth mode, you can choose to plug in your Stadia controller with or without the Bluetooth feature. It's important to note that Bluetooth mode will be required for wireless gaming once Stadia's servers shut down on January 18th.
In Bluetooth mode, you won't be able to use wired headphones by plugging them into the controller. You will have to connect them directly to the device that Stadia is paired with, or switch to a wired connection for the headphones to work.
If you wish to pair your Stadia controller to a different device, you can press the Stadia button and the "Y" button at the same time for two seconds as you did before, and then follow the same pairing instructions with your previous device.
