How to connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to Android

Knowing how to connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to Android devices opens up a whole new way to play games while on the move. While touchscreen controls take improved a lot every bit smartphone and tablet gaming has grown, tapping abroad on a display tin't compete with the precision afforded when using a dedicated controller.

And the Xbox Wireless Controller is arguably one of the best effectually, specially in its second iteration introduced with the Xbox Series X. It can too be connected to all mode of devices thanks to its easy Bluetooth pairing, including laptops and both Android and iOS devices.

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In this guide we'll focus on the Android side, especially given the platform has support for Xbox game streaming for the Xbox Game Laissez passer. Then hither's how to connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to Android.

How to connect an Xbox Wireless Controller to Android phones and tablets

1. You first demand to put your Xbox Wireless Controller into its pairing mode. To practise this, turn on the controller past striking the main Xbox push button in the middle of the controller, and then tap the wireless pairing push constitute on the pinnacle side border of the controller by it'south USB charging port. The controller'south Xbox button will glimmer chop-chop to show it's in Bluetooth aping mode.

Note that merely the recent iteration of the start-generation Xbox Wireless Controller has Bluetooth connectivity. To tell if your controller is an older or newer model, check the summit section where the Xbox button is; if it's fabricated off the same plastic equally the controller'south triggers, so you lot're take an older Xbox Wireless controller with no Bluetooth support.

2. On your Android phone access the Bluetooth card. You can practice this past swiping downwardly from the top of your Android telephone's brandish to pull down the Notification Shade and then long-press the Bluetooth button to bring up a bill of fare of devices your phone tin connect to.

Alternatively, admission the phone'due south Settings app, then tap the Bluetooth card to bring up a list of devices your phone is already paired with and can also connect also.

3. In the available devices card you lot should come across the Xbox Wireless controller listed. Tap on information technology to starting time pairing.

4. A pop upwardly notification will ask you if you desire to pair the controller to the telephone. Tap "Pair."

5. Once connected, the Xbox button will glow a solid white and is prepare to be used with games that have controller support.

How to disconnect an Xbox Wireless Controller from Android

If you want to disconnect the Xbox Wireless Controller from your Android phone you can but hit the wireless pairing button again, which will permit yous to re-pair a controller with an Xbox console or connect information technology to another device.

Your Android phone will nevertheless remember it'south been paired with the Xbox Wireless controller, then information technology should be ready for simple reconnection when you want to use the controller.

Just if you lot want to showtime anew, but access the Bluetooth carte, tap on the information button aslope the Xbox Wireless Controller in the "Paired Devices'' section and then tap "Unpair."

Using Xbox Wireless controller with Android

Thanks to native support for the Xbox Wireless Controller built into Android, a lot of the best Android games, such equally Telephone call of Duty Mobile will simply piece of work with the controller, with controls mapping neatly to its buttons.

Some tweaks may be required to get the button layout y'all might prefer. And some basic games that are wholly touchscreen reliant won't take controller support.

Still, the Xbox Wireless Controller comes into its own when used with Xbox Game Pass and the game steaming it supports over wireless and cellular connectivity, if you take an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.

While some of the games support affect controls, in games similar Gears v they can be fiddly to use. But with the Xbox Wireless Controller connected, peculiarly if you have a form of bracket that tin attach your phone to the controller, y'all can play some of the all-time Xbox Ane games on your telephone.

And if you lot have a suitably fast and stable cellular net connection, y'all can even steam these games on the movement, with the Xbox Wireless Controller effectively turning your Android phone into a pseudo handheld Xbox.

For other Xbox-related tips checkout our guide on how to connect an Xbox controller to a PC and our 10 essential tips for getting started with the Xbox Series X and all-time Xbox Game Laissez passer games.