How to Connect and Sync Your Xbox One Controller with an Xbox Series X or S

This article explains how to sync an Xbox One controller with an Xbox Series X or S console and how to link it to your profile.

How to Sync an Xbox One Controller to an Xbox Series X or S

Both the Xbox Series X and S recognize and work flawlessly with both original Xbox One controllers and the update that first shipped with the Xbox One S.

Here’s how to sync an Xbox One controller with your Xbox Series X or S for wireless play:

1. Press the Sync button on your Xbox Series X or S.

2. Press the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller until it lights up.

3. Press the Sync button (located between the bumpers, near the charging port) on your Xbox One controller until the illuminated Xbox button starts flashing rapidly.

4. Wait for the Xbox button to stop flashing and remain steadily lit.

5. Your controller is now synced and ready to use.

How to Use an Xbox One Controller on Xbox Series X or S

If you want to start playing games using your Gamertag profile, you’ll need to make sure the Xbox Series X|S knows that it’s you holding the controller. You'll need to assign it to your profile, especially if you’ve already been using a different controller on the console.

Here’s how to set up your Xbox One controller for use on Xbox Series X or S:

1. Make sure that your controller is synced and that you can navigate the dashboard and guide.

2. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.

3. Navigate to Profile & system > Settings.

4. Navigate to Account > Sign-in, security & passkey.

5. Select This controller signs in.

6. Select LINK CONTROLLER to assign your profile.

7. The Xbox One controller is now connected to your profile.

Your controller is ready to use once you have successfully assigned it to your profile, and you can use it in all Xbox, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X or S games. All of the buttons will work as you expect. The only difference is that you need to press the Xbox button to open the guide if you want to take screenshots or record video, as the Xbox One controller lacks a share button.

How to Use a Wired Xbox One Controller With Xbox Series X or S

In the same way that you can connect your Xbox One controller to your Xbox Series X or S wirelessly, you can also use a wired USB connection. The only real difference between the controllers in this respect is that the Xbox One controller has a micro USB port, and the Series X or S controller has a USB C port.

To connect a wired Xbox One controller to your Xbox Series X or S:

1. Plug a micro USB cable into the Xbox One controller if it doesn’t have a permanently connected cable.

2. Plug the other end of the USB cable into a USB port on the Xbox Series X or S.

3. Wait for the controller to connect.

Xbox One Controllers vs. Series X|S Controllers

Xbox One controllers and Xbox Series X|S controllers look remarkably similar, but they actually have some pretty different guts inside. Despite those differences, Microsoft made it so that you can sync an Xbox One controller with an Xbox Series X or S and use it to play next-gen games, and there aren’t even any hoops to jump through or adapters to buy. It just works.

The Xbox One controller improved on the already decent Xbox 360 controller in almost every way, and the updated version that shipped with the Xbox One S was even better.

Can You Use Other Xbox One Peripherals With Xbox Series X or S?

Microsoft doesn’t guarantee 100 percent backwards compatibility between Xbox One peripherals and Xbox Series X or S, but the coverage is pretty good. All official controllers and most official peripherals and accessories work, including headsets. A lot of third party controllers work as well, including wired and wireless controllers, headsets, and more.

Some peripherals don’t work, so don’t go out and buy a brand new Xbox One peripheral assuming that it will work with the Xbox Series X or S. Check with the manufacturer first, and see if they have tested the product for compatibility, or if they’re planning on testing in the future.

If you already have a controller or peripheral that works with your Xbox One, there’s no harm in checking to see if it works with your Xbox Series X or S. Just follow the same procedure you used to connect it to your Xbox One, and check with the manufacturer if it doesn’t work. It may not be compatible, or there may be a special connection procedure for using it with the new consoles.