You can play many games on your Windows PC with your Xbox controller. You can also play some of the games on your smartphone with your Xbox gamepad. Below we will explain to you how to connect your Xbox controller to your PC (Bluetooth & cable) and your cell phone.
Connect Xbox Controller to PC (Windows 10/11)
Especially with the Play Anywhere games, it is often worth playing the games with your controller. There are 3 options, How to connect your Xbox controller to your Windows 10/11 PC:
Advertisement
USBXbox Wireless (wireless)Bluetooth
Short reminder: If you used your Xbox controller on your PC and then switched back to the Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, you will have to synchronize the controller with your console again.
Connect Xbox Controller via USB (Windows 10/11)
The USB connection is fairly easy to establish. If one end of the micro USB charging cable or USB-C cable is closed, depending on which controller you have, at the top of the gamepad and the other end at the PC. Turn on the controller and you're done.
Advertisement
With USB connections, you can connect 8 Xbox wireless controllers at the same time or 4 controllers connected to Xbox chat headsets.
If your Windows PC doesn't recognize your controller after waking from sleep, press the Xbox button on the controller to wake it up again, or unplug it and then reconnect it.
Connect Xbox Controller via Xbox Wireless (Windows 10/11)
Depending on which controller you use, you may need the Xbox Wireless Adapter. We have written a separate guide for you, just click on the attached link to get to the article.
To achieve the best performance, you should first make sure that your controller has the latest firmware.
If your controller has built-in wireless, follow these steps to connect it to your PC:
Turn on your PC and log in. Turn on the controller by holding down the Xbox button for three seconds.Press and hold the pairing button (((, located at the top of the controller. The Xbox button on the controller will then flash faster. This means that the controller is looking for the PC. Press the (Start) Windows button on your PC. Then choose “Settings > Devices” out of. In Windows 11 “Settings > Bluetooth and devices”.Chooses “Add Bluetooth or other device” out of. In Windows 11 “Add Device”, then press on “Everything else”.Selects the Xbox Wireless Controller or Xbox Elite Wireless Controller from the list. Once connected, the controller's Xbox button will be solid.
With Xbox Wireless Connections you can connect 8 Xbox Wireless Controllers at the same time or 4 controllers connected to Xbox Chat Headsets.
Connect Xbox Controller via Bluetooth (Windows 10/11)
The Bluetooth connection required a Windows device on which the Windows 10 Anniversary Update or later is installed. Additionally, you have to Make sure your controller has this feature.
Not all Xbox controllers have Bluetooth. It It only works with the Xbox wireless controllers that have been available with the Xbox One S since 2016. This includes all Xbox One controllers, that have appeared since then. These include including the Elite 2 and of course the new controllers for the Xbox Series X|S.
But you can do it too by the material or the processing of the material by the controller. On controllers with Bluetooth support, the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the surface of the controller. On controllers without a Bluetooth feature, the plastic around the Xbox button is part of the top where the shoulder buttons are located.
To illustrate it better, you can see which controller has the Bluetooth feature in the following image. The controller in the picture below has Bluetooth support:
You should also pay attention to the following things:
• For best performance, the controller should have the latest firmware.
• Controller vibration does not work when playing games via Bluetooth connection.
• Controller accessories such as headsets, chatpads, and the Xbox stereo adapter will not work with the controller when connected via Bluetooth.
• It is recommended that you only connect one controller via Bluetooth at a time.
To the Xbox Wireless Controller To connect to your PC via Bluetooth, follow these steps:
Turn on the Xbox Wireless Controller by pressing the Xbox button.Press and hold the pairing button ((( on the controller for three seconds. The Xbox button then begins to flash quickly. Press the (Start) Windows button on your PC, then select “Settings > Devices > Bluetooth and other devices” out of. In Windows 11 “Settings > Bluetooth and devices”.Activates Bluetooth.Selects “Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth” out of. In Windows 11 “Add device”. Your PC should then start searching for the controller. Select “Xbox Wireless Controller” or “Xbox Elite Wireless Controller > Done” out of.
Connect Xbox controller to cell phone
If you use your Xbox controller with the want to connect cell phone, you need to make sure that your controller has this Bluetooth feature has (as discussed above).
To connect your Xbox controller with a Android device you need to pair at least the Android 5.1.1 operating system. If you want to connect it, follow these steps:
Turn on the controller by holding down the Xbox button.Press and hold the pairing button ((( on the top of the controller for three seconds. The Xbox button then starts flashing. Open the settings on the Android device and go to “Connections > Bluetooth” and turn Bluetooth on there too.Under “Available devices” The Xbox controller should be listed. Now tap on “Xbox Wireless Controller”to connect the controller to your phone.
To get an Xbox controller with your iPhone or iPad you need to pair at least the iOS 14.5 operating system. If you want to connect it, do the following:
Turn on the controller by holding down the Xbox button.Press and hold the pairing button ((( on the top of the controller for three seconds. The Xbox button will then begin flashing. Opens on the iPhone or iPad “Settings > Bluetooth” and activate it.Under “Other devices” The controller should be listed.Tap “Xbox Wireless Controller”to establish the connection.