Notification

Starting November 9, 2022, Stadia will attempt to automatically process refunds for all purchases of games, add-on content and subscriptions fees other than Stadia Pro made through the Stadia store. We ask for your patience as we work through each transaction and that you refrain from contacting Customer Support as they will not be able to expedite your refund during this time. For more information, check the Announcement FAQ.

Connect your Stadia Controller to a device

To use your Stadia Controller with other services, its firmware needs to be updated to disable Stadia's proprietary Wi-Fi connectivity and enable Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE). You can then use it like a standard wireless Bluetooth controller with some other hardware and services. You can also plug your Stadia Controller into a device with a USB-C cable.

Note: After you enable Bluetooth mode on your Stadia Controller, its Wi-Fi connectivity features will be permanently disabled. You cannot revert this change.

Compatibility with services and platforms has not been substantially tested and device compatibility will vary. Note that computers must have a Bluetooth Low Energy adapter to communicate with the Stadia Controller in Bluetooth mode. Further updates to the Stadia Controller will not be offered after the Stadia servers shut down on January 18, 2023. After the shutdown in January, you have until December 31, 2024 to update the controller so it can use Bluetooth mode.

Enable Bluetooth on your controller

You need to update your Stadia Controller to use Bluetooth before you can pair and connect it to a device.

Set up Bluetooth mode on your Stadia Controller

What you'll need:

  • A Stadia Controller
  • A computer with Google Chrome version 108 or later
  • A USB cable

To enable Bluetooth mode:

  1. On your Stadia Controller, press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button until the status light turns on.
  2. Use a USB cable to plug your Stadia Controller into a computer.
  3. On your computer, open Google Chrome and then navigate to stadia.google.com/controller.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Stadia Controller.

Tip: If you have a Linux computer, you might need to add new udev rules before you can use or update your controller.

Connect your Stadia Controller wirelessly to a device

After you enable Bluetooth mode on your Stadia Controller, you can connect it to a device, like a computer or mobile phone.

  1. Press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button until it turns off and then press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button until the status light pulses orange.

Status light orange blink

  • Note: If the status light doesn't pulse orange, hold the Stadia button Stadia button and Y button simultaneously for 2 seconds.
  1. On the device you want to connect to, open its settings and then go to Bluetooth settings and then select the device containing the word "Stadia".
  2. If the controller won't pair after performing these steps, you might have to approve the controller on your device's Bluetooth menu. If you still have problems pairing or connecting your controller to a device, refer to the device's manufacturer for instructions.

After your Stadia Controller connects wirelessly to a device, its status light will turn solid white.

Auto-connecting your Stadia Controller to a paired device

After you pair your controller to a device, it will blink white and connect automatically to the device when you turn it on. If your controller doesn't connect, repeat the steps above to connect to a device. If you still have trouble with Bluetooth, check the troubleshooting tips below or refer to the instructions for your device.

Connect your Stadia Controller with a USB cable

You can use a USB cable to plug your Stadia Controller into a Windows® or Android device that has a USB port. You can also plug your controller into most devices that were compatible with Stadia.

Tip: If you're using a USB A-to-C adapter, make sure the adapter side is not connected to your controller.

Tandem Mode

To use Tandem Mode, plug a second controller into your Stadia Controller's USB port. Inputs from both controllers are registered as if they're coming from your primary Stadia Controller. This means you and a second player can play in a cooperative "friend mode" where you share a game's inputs.

How to use Tandem Mode

  1. Turn on your Stadia Controller. Make sure it's paired and connected wirelessly to a device.
  2. Make sure the secondary controller is charged and turned off.
  3. Use a USB cable to connect the secondary controller to your Stadia Controller's USB-C port.
    • If you use a USB A-to-C adapter, connect the adapter side to your primary controller. If you connect two Stadia Controllers, power down the second controller before plugging it in.

Note: To use vibration on the primary controller in Tandem Mode, press and hold the down button Down button on the Direction Pad while connecting the second controller and then hold it for 3 seconds after connecting.

Tandem Mode FAQ

Which third-party controllers can use Tandem Mode?
Secondary controller (*vibration supported) Vendor ID:Product ID (VID:PID)
Stadia Controller* 18d1:9400

Xbox Adaptive Controller

045e:0b0a
Xbox® Series X/S™ Controllers* 045e:0b12
Xbox One® Controller* 045e:02d1
045e:02dd
045e:02ea
Xbox One Elite Controller (Series 1 and 2)* 045e:02e3
045e:0b00
Xbox 360® Wired Controller 045e:028e
Xbox 360 Controller Wireless Adapter 045e:0719
Sony DualSense® Controller* 054c:0ce6
Sony DualShock® 4 Controller* 054c:05c4
054c:09cc
Sony DualShock 3 Controller 054c:0268
Switch Pro Controller 057e:2009
Valve Steam® Controller 28de:1102
Valve Steam Controller Wireless Adapter 28de:1142


What kind of cable should I use to connect the controllers?
The cable you use depends on the secondary controller. Here are some examples:

Primary Stadia Controller (USB-A-to-C adapter) to secondary controller (USB-A to Micro-USB cable)
Tandem mode controllers

Primary Stadia Controller (USB A-to-C adapter) to secondary controller (USB-A to USB-C cable)
Tandem mode controllers

Primary Stadia Controller (USB-C) to secondary controller (USB-C cable)
Tandem mode controllers

Can I use Tandem Mode if my Stadia Controller is connected to a device with a USB-C cable?
No. To use Tandem Mode, your Stadia Controller must be linked wirelessly to a device using Bluetooth.

Can I use a USB hub or USB splitter to plug more than one controller into my primary Stadia Controller?
No. You can only connect one secondary controller to your primary Stadia Controller for Tandem Mode.

Can I use an audio headset in Tandem Mode?
Not with the Stadia Controller. To hear audio in Tandem Mode, plug your headset into the device that's paired to your Stadia Controller.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)​

Which devices are compatible with the Stadia Controller?
Testing of Bluetooth mode was focused on the devices and systems listed below, but may not work with all hardware configurations. Compatibility with other services and platforms has not been substantially tested. Please note that computers must have a Bluetooth Low Energy adapter in order to communicate with the Stadia Controller in Bluetooth mode and that hardware compatibility will vary. Haptics (vibration) may not work with all systems.
  • Windows 10 and 11 + Steam
  • MacOS® 13 + Steam
  • ChromeOS
  • Android

Do I have to use Bluetooth mode? Can I plug in my Stadia Controller with a USB cable instead?

Following Stadia's shutdown on January 18, 2023, Bluetooth mode is required for wireless play. You can continue to plug in your Stadia Controller with a USB cable whether or not you enable Bluetooth.

How much time do I have to enable Bluetooth mode?

You have until December 31, 2024 to enable Bluetooth mode using the web-based update tool at stadia.google.com/controller Follow the instructions at the top of this article.

Do wired headphones work with the Stadia Controller in Bluetooth mode?

No. In Bluetooth mode, headphones won't work when you plug them into the Stadia Controller. To hear audio over headphones, connect them to the device that your Stadia Controller is paired with, or connect your controller with a USB cable.

Will the Assistant and Capture buttons work after Stadia shuts down?

No. After shutdown, the Google Assistant Assistant button and Capture Capture button buttons will not open Google Assistant or capture game clips.

Does Tandem Mode work in Bluetooth mode?

Yes. In Bluetooth mode, you can use Tandem Mode to connect a second controller to your wirelessly connected Stadia Controller.

Something went wrong when I tried to update my controller. Can I start over?

Yes. Unplug your controller and then hold down the Stadia button for 10 seconds. This will reset it so you can try again.

How do I check my controller's current mode?

Check the controller's mode by plugging it into a computer with a USB cable and use Google Chrome to navigate to stadia.google.com/controller.
Note: After you enable Bluetooth mode on your Stadia Controller, its Wi-Fi connectivity features will be permanently disabled. You cannot revert this change.

I went to the web-based update tool but my Stadia Controller doesn't appear. Help!

Try to plug your Stadia Controller into your computer with a different USB cable, like the one that came with the controller.
I'm on a Linux-based computer and can't update my Stadia Controller. Help!
If your computer is running a Linux-based operating system, you might need to add new udev rules before you can use or update the controller:
  1. On your Linux computer, open the terminal and run the following command from any directory:
{ cat <<EOF
# SDP protocol
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="1fc9", MODE="0666"
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="1fc9", MODE="0666"
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="0d28", MODE="0666"
# Flashloader
KERNEL=="hidraw*", ATTRS{idVendor}=="15a2", MODE="0666"
# Controller
KERNEL=="hidraw*", SUBSYSTEM=="hidraw", ATTRS{idVendor}=="18d1", MODE="0666"
SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="18d1", ATTRS{idProduct}=="9400", MODE="0660", TAG+="uaccess"
EOF
} | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/70-stadiacontroller-flash.rules
  1. Next, run the following command:

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules && sudo udevadm trigger

My Stadia Controller won't turn on. How can I fix it?

If your controller won't turn on, its battery might be drained. Plug it into a computer or power outlet to charge it. If that doesn't work:

  1. Unplug your Stadia Controller.
  2. Press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button for 10 seconds to reset the controller.
  3. Press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button until the status light turns on.

What can I do if my Stadia Controller doesn't appear in my device's Bluetooth settings?

Make sure you update your Stadia Controller, then follow the instructions above to pair it to your device. If your Stadia Controller still doesn't appear, restart the controller and then reboot the device and then try again.

My Stadia Controller appears in my device's Bluetooth settings, but I can't connect to it. Help!

In your device's Bluetooth settings, remove the device that contains the word "Stadia" and then turn Bluetooth off and back on and then follow the steps above to re-pair and connect your Stadia Controller to the device.

I want to pair my Stadia Controller to a different device. How can I do that?

To pair your controller to a different device, press the Stadia button Stadia button + the Y button Y button for 2 seconds until the status light starts flashing orange. You can then follow the pairing instructions to connect the controller to a different device.

BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

MACOS is a trademark of Apple Inc.

PLAYSTATION, DUALSHOCK, and DUALSENSE are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

STEAM is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation.

WINDOWS, XBOX, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, and XBOX ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

XBOX SERIES XS is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

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