How to Connect a Stadia Controller to Your Phone

This article covers how to connect a Stadia Controller with compatible Android and iOS devices. Stadia requires Android 6.0 or greater or iOS version 14.3 or greater.

How to Use a Stadia Controller With a Phone

You can connect your Stadia controller to your Android or iOS device, including Android phones, iPhone, and iPad, and play all your Stadia games wirelessly, but only if your controller has already been set up and connected to Wi-Fi. If you have already set up your Stadia controller and it's connected to your Wi-Fi network, then you can skip the following instructions and go directly to the next section.

If you haven’t yet connected your Stadia controller to Wi-Fi, follow these steps to get it set up.

1. Download and install the Stadia app on your phone.

2. Launch the Stadia app, and tap the controller icon.

3. If prompted for location access, tap NEXT.

4. If prompted to turn on Bluetooth, turn on your phone’s Bluetooth.

5. Tap Connect controller.

6. Wait for your controller to vibrate, and tap Yes.

7. Tap Continue.

8. Tap Yes, allow sharing or No, don’t share.

9. Tap Connect if the Wi-Fi network you see is correct.

   Tap Use a different network if the correct Wi-Fi network isn't listed, and select the correct Wi-Fi network.

10. Enter your Wi-Fi password and tap Connect.

11. Wait for your controller to connect, then tap Next.

12. Wait for your controller to update, then tap Next.

13. When your controller light flashes white, tap It’s blinking only white.

14. Your controller is now connected to Wi-Fi and ready to connect to your Chromecast Ultra, phone, or PC.

How to Connect a Stadia to Android Phone

The same Android Stadia app you used to set up your controller also allows you to stream games and link your controller for wireless play. The controller still connects to Stadia directly through your Wi-Fi, but linking it to the Stadia app on your phone allows you to play Stadia games on the phone without the need for a physical cable. Or, if you prefer, you can connect the controller to your phone with a USB-C cable.

Here’s how to connect a Stadia controller to your Android device:

1. Launch the Stadia app, and tap the controller icon.

2. Press and hold the Stadia button on your controller until the light flashes white.

3. Wait until you see Stadia controller ready to link, then enter the code you see on the screen using the buttons on your controller.

4. The controller is now connected wirelessly, and you can play Stadia on your phone.

How to Connect a Stadia Controller to an iPhone or iPad

Connecting a Stadia controller to an iPhone or iPad is slightly different because you can’t actually use the Stadia app to play games on iOS. You can use the app to set up your controller and connect it to Wi-Fi, but the app doesn’t actually let you stream games due to App Store policies.

To connect your Stadia controller to your iPhone or iPad and play Stadia games, you actually use Safari. Stadia runs as a responsive web app in Safari, and you can even create an app icon for it that will appear with all of the rest of your apps. The Stadia responsive web app allows you to connect your Stadia controller and play wirelessly like Android and PC users.

Here’s how to connect a Stadia controller to an iPhone or iPad:

1. Open Safari.

2. Go to Stadia's site.

3. Tap Sign in and sign in using your Google account.

   Skip this step if you’re already signed in.

4. If you receive a popup notification, tap Got it.

5. Tap the controller icon.

6. Press and hold the Stadia button on your controller until the light flashes.

7. Using the buttons on your Stadia controller, enter the code you see on the screen.

8. Your Stadia controller is now connected to your iPhone or iPad.

How to Add the Stadia Web App to Your Home Screen

The only problem with the Stadia web app is you have to launch Safari and then navigate to the Stadia site to use it. If you prefer the convenience of an icon on your home screen that you can tap, it's actually easy to do.

Here’s how to add Stadia to your home screen:

1. With the Stadia site open in Safari, tap the share button.

2. Tap Add to Home Screen.

3. Tap Add.

4. The Stadia icon will now appear on your home screen with the rest of your apps. Tapping this icon will launch Safari and navigate directly to the Stadia web app.