After the shutdown of Stadia, Google now lets owners of the Stadia game controller switch from WiFi to Bluetooth mode, which will be supported on 2021+ Samsung Smart TVs.
Stadia ended its days as a high-profile fiasco but at least the controller will not become e-waste. Google is stepping in to let users switch over to the built-in Bluetooth antenna that has been there all along.
You must use an online tool on the stadia.google.com website here. It must be opened in the Chrome browser. For some strange reason, the tool will cease working after December 31, 2023.
Stadia controller compatibility
Google confirms that the Stadia controller's Bluetooth connection will work with Windows 10 and 11 including Steam, macOS 13 including Steam, ChromeOS, and Android. Samsung has separately confirmed that it will work on 2021 and 2022 Smart TVs. It may also work on other Bluetooth-enabled Smart TVs, but this has not been explicitly confirmed.
- "Not all Bluetooth devices are the same, so compatibility will vary. The Stadia Controller uses Bluetooth low energy connections, so some features, such as pass-through audio, aren’t possible wirelessly," said Google
- "Still got your Stadia Controller? Bluetooth support is coming to 2021 and 2022 Samsung TVs," said Samsung.
Haptics (vibration) may not work with all systems, the company added.
Also read: Google pulls the plug on Stadia today: What went wrong?
To put it in Bluetooth pairing mode press and hold the Stadia button and the Y at the same time for 2 seconds until the status light starts flashing orange.
