Set up your Stadia Controller

Before you start

  • To set up your Stadia Controller, you'll need to install the Stadia app on your iPhone or iPad (iOS® version 11.0 or greater). Learn more about using a controller with your iOS device.
  • To play games on Stadia using a TV, you need a Chromecast Ultra, a supported Android TV device or a Google TV device, such as Chromecast with Google TV. Make sure that your device is set up and connected to a Wi-Fi network or Ethernet.
    • Note: Some devices have an Ethernet port on their power adaptor. If possible, use an Ethernet cable to plug your device into your Wi-Fi router for the best performance. You can also purchase an adaptor for Chromecast with Google TV if you don't have one.
  • To play games on Stadia using your laptop or PC, you'll need to install the latest version of Google Chrome on your computer.
  • Your Stadia Controller's battery must be charged.

Connect your Stadia Controller to Wi-Fi

The Stadia app uses location access, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® to find and set up your controller. If any of these are turned off when you begin setup, you'll be asked to turn them on during the setup process.

  1. To turn on your Stadia Controller, press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button for two seconds until it vibrates.
  2. On your mobile device, open the Stadia app Stadia icon.
  3. At the top right, tap the controller icon Controller.
  4. Select your controller from the list.
  5. When your controller starts vibrating, tap Yes and then Continue.
  6. Tap Connect to [network name], where [network name] is the Wi-Fi network to which your mobile device is connected.
    • To connect your Stadia Controller to a different network, tap Choose a different network.
  7. Enter your Wi-Fi password, then tap Connect to Wi-Fi and then Done.
  8. Your controller will download and install an update. You don't need to wait for the update to finish before continuing.
  9. Tap OK.​​

Link your Stadia Controller to a screen

You can use your Stadia Controller to play games on a TV or supported TV device, on a computer using Google Chrome or on a supported mobile device.

Link to Chromecast Ultra

Link to Google TV or Android TV

Link your controller to a laptop or desktop computer using Google Chrome

Link your controller to a compatible mobile device using the Stadia app

Critical software updates to your Stadia Controller

When critical software updates are released for your Stadia Controller, they will be applied automatically when it connects to Wi-Fi. Here's how it works:

  1. Press and hold the Stadia button Stadia button for one second to turn on your Stadia Controller.
  2. The Stadia button will slowly blink white for approximately 12 seconds while it connects to Wi-Fi.
  3. The Stadia button will blink orange and white while it applies the critical update. During this time you won't be able to use your controller.

You can also check if your Stadia Controller software is being updated:

  1. On your mobile device, open the Stadia app Stadia icon.
  2. Tap the controller icon.

After any updates finish, your Stadia Controller will restart and the Stadia button will slowly blink white again for approximately 12 seconds while it reconnects to Wi-Fi.

BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

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IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the US and other countries and is used under licence.

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