Again in January, on the cusp of Stadia’s demise, Google launched a closing firmware replace for Stadia controllers that enabled customers to show them into a regular Bluetooth machine so they might proceed for use wirelessly. It was a thoughtful transfer for positive, however what could have gone largely unnoticed on the time is that the provide had an expiration date: Homeowners got till December 31, 2023 to get the job performed. And since at present is December 1, 2023, this could be time to get round to doing it. Thanks for the reminder, Wario64.
To transform your controller, go to stadia.google.com/controller and punch that “Change to Bluetooth mode” button. As a result of that is Google, the method will solely work with Chrome—when you’re utilizing another browser, you may be greeted as a substitute with a “obtain Chrome” possibility. In any other case, the method will start with a “phrases of service” settlement after which easy on-screen directions: Plug the controller right into a USB port, confirm it with Chrome, obtain and set up the motive force, after which get pleasure from your new wi-fi freedom.
Take be aware that it is a everlasting change, so as soon as you have made the change you possibly can’t return, though I actually do not know why you’d need to. Enabling Bluetooth help will disable the controller’s Wi-Fi performance, and the headphone and USB port won’t work with headphones when Bluetooth is switched on, though the headphone jack will work when you’re utilizing it as a wired controller. The Assistant and Seize buttons shall be non-functional after the conversion course of as a result of, y’know, Stadia would not exist anymore, however they’re remappable so you need to use them for different issues.
Solutions to any questions you’ll have can be found in an FAQ on the Stadia controller web site, and there is a bit extra element on Google’s Bluetooth mode assist heart web page. Sadly, when you run into actual grief you are mainly out of luck, as buyer help is now not accessible. The excellent news is that if the conversion course of goes severely haywire for some purpose, otherwise you simply miss the deadline utterly, the Stadia controller will proceed to perform as a regular wired controller, so no less than it isn’t going to show right into a paperweight.
