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.
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.
What you'll need:
- A Stadia Controller
- A computer with Google Chrome version 108 or later
- A USB cable
To enable Bluetooth mode:
- On your Stadia Controller, press and hold the Stadia button
until the status light turns on.
- Use a USB cable to plug your Stadia Controller into a computer.
- On your computer, open Google Chrome
navigate to stadia.google.com/controller.
- 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.
After you enable Bluetooth mode on your Stadia Controller, you can connect it to a device, like a computer or mobile phone.
- Press and hold the Stadia button
- Note: If the status light doesn't pulse orange, hold the Stadia button
simultaneously for two seconds.
- On the device that you want to connect to, open its settings
- 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
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 adaptor, make sure that the adaptor 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 that you and a second player can play in a cooperative 'friend mode' where you share a game's inputs.
How to use tandem mode
- Turn on your Stadia Controller. Make sure that it's paired and connected wirelessly to a device.
- Make sure that the secondary controller is charged and turned off.
- 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 adaptor, connect the adaptor 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 
Tandem mode FAQ
| 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 adaptor | 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 adaptor | 28de:1142 |
What kind of cable should I use to connect the controllers?
The cable that you use depends on the secondary controller. Here are some examples:
Primary Stadia Controller (USB-A-to-C adaptor) to secondary controller (USB-A to Micro-USB cable)
Primary Stadia Controller (USB A-to-C adaptor) to secondary controller (USB-A to USB-C cable)
Primary Stadia Controller (USB-C) to secondary controller (USB-C cable)
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)
- 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?
How much time do I have to enable Bluetooth mode?
Do wired headphones work with the Stadia Controller in Bluetooth mode?
Will the Assistant and Capture buttons work after Stadia shuts down?
and Capture 
buttons will not open Google Assistant or capture game clips.Does tandem mode work in Bluetooth mode?
Something went wrong when I tried to update my controller. Can I start over?
hold down the Stadia button for 10 seconds. This will reset it so that you can try again.How do I check my controller's current mode?
I went to the web-based update tool but my Stadia Controller doesn't appear. Help!
- 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
- 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 socket to charge it. If that doesn’t work:
- Unplug your Stadia Controller.
- Press and hold the Stadia button
- Press and hold the Stadia button
What can I do if my Stadia Controller doesn't appear in my device's Bluetooth settings?
reboot the device try again.My Stadia Controller appears in my device's Bluetooth settings, but I can't connect to it. Help!
turn Bluetooth off and back on 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?
+ the Y button 
for two 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.