Google Stadia controller works wirelessly with Android phones

The controller of the Google Stadia game streaming service can now be used wirelessly in combination with Android phones. This is now supported, more than six months after the service was launched.

The update that enables the wireless connection of the Stadia Controller to an Android smartphone has been available since Tuesday, according to Google. The company emphasizes that users need the latest version of the Stadia app to use it. Also, a user must have their phone and controller connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and after starting a game, follow the instructions to connect both devices.

When Stadia became available on November 19, the controller could only be used wirelessly with a television and a Chromecast Ultra. There was no support yet for using the Stadia Controller wirelessly in combination with Android phones or, for example, laptops. This required a connection with a USB-C cable. An update followed in May that eliminates the need for wired connection to a computer when playing the Stadia games via Stadia.com in the Chrome browser.