Stadia shuts down for good on January 18, however that does not imply your Stadia Controller will out of the blue turn into ineffective. Google has developed a software to completely swap your Stadia controller to Bluetooth mode, so it can not want a wired USB-C connection to work for different platforms like Steam or xCloud.While Google could by no means get well from its Stadia shutdown debacle within the eyes of some avid gamers, it has on the very least refunded our Stadia purchases, and can now be sure that all of its Stadia controllers dwell on fairly than turn into a large supply of e-waste.Below, we’ll clarify the way to make your Stadia Controller Bluetooth-compatible and the way to sync it along with your favourite gaming platform shifting ahead. Make certain to do it earlier than you neglect as a result of Google will shut down its Bluetooth switch software on December 31, 2023, at which level your Stadia controller will lose any wi-fi performance for good.How to change the Stadia Controller to Bluetooth modeBefore you begin, be certain that to cost your Stadia controller through a suitable USB-C charger and USB-C cable with help for quick knowledge switch; Google says you will need to cost it for a minimum of 30 minutes for the method to work, and we discovered that even when the controller gave the impression to be “on” and plugged right into a laptop computer, our browser could not detect it till it had reached a sure cost. 1. Go to stadia.google.com/controller/ (opens in new tab) in your Chrome browser. 2. Click Switch to Bluetooth mode.(Image credit score: Android Central)3. Under Switch to Bluetooth Mode, choose Start. (Image credit score: Android Central)4. Using a USB-C to USB-C cable, plug your Stadia Controller into your laptop when you’re certain it is charged. (Image credit score: Android Central)5. Select Allow Chrome to confirm, then choose your Stadia Controller underneath stadia.google.com desires to attach, and select Connect to confirm it. It will probably be referred to as “Stadia Controller rev. A” however might be underneath a distinct identify like “USB COMPOSITE DEVICE.” Then choose Next step.Note: If the Stadia controller would not seem, the controller probably is not charged sufficient in your laptop to detect it, or could have to be reset. After you have charged it for 30 minutes, unplug it, then press and maintain the Stadia button for 10 seconds to reset it, then maintain it down once more till a white gentle blinks to indicate it is able to pair. Then reconnect the controller to your laptop and examine once more.(Image credit score: Android Central)6. Follow the above steps to unlock your controller: unplug the controller (it ought to vibrate, then the middle gentle ought to flip off), maintain the … Options button whereas plugging it again into your laptop, let go of the Options button, then press Options + Assistant + A + Y concurrently.7. Click Next Step > Allow Chrome to obtain and choose the Stadia Controller from the pop-up menu once more — although it will be renamed to “SP Blank RT Family” this time in the event you efficiently unlocked it. Select Connect, and it will obtain the Bluetooth mode firmware. (Image credit score: Android Central)8. Choose Next Step > Allow Chrome to Install and choose USB Composite Device to Connect. It’ll set up the Bluetooth firmware, and you may now have the ability to use the Stadia Controller’s Bluetooth connection for any suitable platform!Check that your Stadia Controller is Bluetooth-compatible(Image credit score: Android Central)If you adopted the above steps, your Stadia Controller ought to now be in Bluetooth mode completely. If you are in any respect involved that the method did not work, return to stadia.google.com/controller/ (opens in new tab), scroll all the way down to the FAQ part, and click on “How do I verify my controller mode?”, then Check controller mode. It’ll shortly examine whether or not or not the related Stadia Controller has been correctly transitioned to BLE mode.How to pair your Stadia Controller through Bluetooth(Image credit score: Android Central)Once your controller is in Bluetooth mode, it ought to mechanically go into pairing mode whenever you flip it on by urgent and holding the middle Stadia button. The LED surrounding the Stadia button reveals the standing: blinking orange means the controller is in pairing mode, that means any Bluetooth-compatible PC or console ought to detect it. If you approve the connection, the Stadia button will swap to flashing white because it connects, then strong white as soon as it connects for good. At that time, the Stadia controller will keep in mind its final Bluetooth connection and auto-connect to that gadget if it detects it. If the controller would not go into pairing mode for no matter cause, or if you wish to unpair the Stadia Controller and pair it to one thing new, maintain the “Y + Stadia” buttons for two seconds till the standing gentle flashes orange once more, making it seen to new units.What else it’s worthwhile to know in regards to the Stadia ControllerNow that you understand how to show your Stadia Controller right into a Bluetooth controller, you will have to know which platforms it really works with and what options will or will not nonetheless work outdoors of Stadia.The Stadia Controller ought to work with most Bluetooth-compatible units and platforms with a Bluetooth Low Energy adapter. Google confirmed that the Stadia Controller has a minimum of been examined in Bluetooth mode on the next platforms, however not extensively:Windows 10 and 11 + SteamMacOS 13 + SteamChromeOSAndroidYou can nonetheless join the Stadia Controller utilizing a suitable USB-C cable if Bluetooth is not an choice or you do not need to fear in regards to the battery life dying. Generally talking, the Stadia controller ought to work on Steam, which helps you to configure its button map to correctly work with any PC recreation. Otherwise, different cloud gaming platforms like Xbox Game Pass for Android; iOS could or could not correctly acknowledge the controller with out some tweaks.The one distinctive Stadia Controller characteristic that may nonetheless work is Tandem Mode. You can join a second controller to it through the USB port — another Stadia controller, Xbox 360/ One/ Series/ Adaptive controller, PlayStation 3/4/5 controller, Switch Pro controller, or Steam Controller — and have inputs from each controllers acknowledged as a single controller’s enter. But in any other case, lots of the cool unique Stadia instruments are gone for good.Because it now makes use of Bluetooth as a substitute of wi-fi, you will not have the choice to hearken to audio via the Stadia Controller’s 3.5mm jack. Also, the Stadia-exclusive Assistant and Capture buttons will not do something, until you employ a platform with button remapping performance or use a third-party software like X360CE to remap its buttons.The Stadia Controller is an ergonomic, cool-looking controller that you could be need to maintain onto, even when its authentic service has gone the way in which of the dodo. Otherwise, for sure cloud gaming platforms that will not play good with it, it’s possible you’ll need to purchase an alternate controller as a substitute, and hold your Stadia controller as a backup.