Stadia was a cloud gaming service developed by Google. It allowed users to stream video games on compatible devices such as TVs, computers, and smartphones, without the need for a console or high-end gaming computer.
The service used Google’s data centers to run the games, which were then streamed to the user over the internet.
The service was launched in 2019, but in December 2022 Google announced that it would be shutting down its consumer service to focus on enterprise customers.
Whilst Google did refund hardware and software purchases, they did is leave users with a pointless controller that they couldn’t use (as it previously connected via Wi-Fi directly to google stadia), until now with the introduction of the Stadia Bluetooth Mode.
In this article we are going to look at the process of how to update Stadia Controller to work with Bluetooth on PC. This also allows it to work on other devices.
Table of Contents
Stadia Bluetooth Mode
Whilst it is sad that Stadia has now been shutdown, the good news is you can convert the stadia (Wi-Fi) controller to Bluetooth mode to be used on your PC, Mac, Chromebook, Android / iOS devices!
Thanks google 🙂
I gave my controller the update today and this is what I did;
Stadia Bluetooth Mode Update Tutorial
Total Time: 5 minutes
Visit the Stadia Bluetooth Mode Website
Go to https://stadia.google.com/controller/index_en_GB.html and click ‘Switch to Bluetooth mode’
Select switch to Bluetooth mode
Select ‘Switch to Bluetooth mode’ and click ‘Start’. WARNING this switch is permenant!
Accept ToS
Accept the Terms of Service and click ‘Start’
Plug in your Stadia controller
Plug in your controller and click ‘Continue’. NOTE I did not charge my controller prior, but you probably should
Allow Chrome to verify your controller
Click ‘Allow Chrome to verify’
Accept the verification prompt
Select your Stadia controller by clicking on it and the clicking ‘Connect’
Controller verified
Click ‘Next Step’ after verification succeeds
Unlock your Stadia Controller
Unplug your controller, hold ‘…’ whilst plugging back in, then press ‘…’, ‘Stadia Button’, ‘A’ & ‘Y’ all at once
Download Bluetooth mode update
Click ‘Allow Chrome to Download’
Accept the device
Select ‘SP Blank RT Family’ and click ‘Connect’
Verify that the download is complete
Check that it says Download complete and click ‘Next step’
Install Bluetooth mode
Click @Allow Chrome to install’
Select the device
Select ‘USB COMPOSITE DEVICE’ and click ‘Connect’
Install Bluetooth mode
Wait whilst installing Bluetooth mode update. WARNING Don’t unplug your controller
Complete
If everything worked, you have successfully updated your Stadia controller to Bluetooth mode
Turn on Bluetooth on your Stadia controller
So there you have it, you’ve “upgraded” your stadia controller to include Bluetooth!
All there is to do now is to connect your controller to the device of your choice.
To turn your controller on in Bluetooth mode simply hold ‘Y’ & ‘Stadia Button’ for two seconds until the status light flashes orange.
You should then be able to pair it with any compatible devices.
Summary
Whilst we are sad to see Stadia go, Google did a solid in releasing an update to allow you to update the Stadia controller to Bluetooth mode. The stadia controller is surprisingly well built and it makes an excellent controller for PC games.
