The end of Google’s Stadia game streaming service is here. Jan. 18 marks the day the service gets discontinued, but thankfully Google has now released an update for Stadia controllers, enabling Bluetooth functionality. Previously, Stadia controllers would connect directly to Wi-Fi to minimize latency when streaming games, but as they can no longer be used on the service, Google’s firmware update will enable Bluetooth Low Energy to work with computer hardware directly.
To update your controller, you need to visit Google’s new Stadia Bluetooth mode website using the version 108 or later of the Chrome browser. From here, just follow the on-screen prompts to update your Stadia controller and make it usable, now that the Stadia service is no longer operational. It’s worth noting that once the change has been made it’s irreversible, so proceed with caution if for some reason you’re unsure.
Once the change has been made, your Stadia controller will now work with Windows 10 and 11 and Steam, MacOS and Steam, ChromeOS and Android. Your device will need a Bluetooth Low Energy adapter to be able to communicate with the controller. There may also be variation in the availability of haptics Google notes, with some systems not making the controller vibrate.
If you are making the Bluetooth change, you’ve got until the end of the year on Dec. 31 to download the update, so feel free to take your time. Of course, if prefer your controllers old-fashioned, you can always just plug your Stadia controller in with a USB cable to play on any compatible system. The choice is yours.
Did you use Stadia? Do you own a Stadia controller? Let us know in the comments below, and keep your eyes on GameLuster for more gaming news.
