Connect controllers to android

How to Connect the Xbox One Controller to Android

Why buy an Android controller if you already own an Xbox One

Want to play games on your Android phone or tablet, but despise on-screen touch controls? With many games now including controller support, it’s good to know how to connect the Xbox One controller to Android.

Controller Support in Android Isn’t New

Technically, you can connect any wired controller if your Android device’s USB port supports On-The-Go (OTG). Phones and tablets use USB Micro-B and USB-C ports for charging and sending data to and from a connected PC, but OTG adds support for USB-based devices like mice, keyboards, flash drives, and so on.

Not all devices have OTG connectivity, and there’s no good way to find out if your device supports OTG without digging through its product page–which typically lists generic information–or installing a questionable app. You also need an adapter connecting the wired controller’s USB-A male connector to the Android device’s female Micro-B or USB-C port.

That said, wireless is the way to go. Bluetooth is the norm for all controllers connecting to Android, including the Xbox One controller. Microsoft’s peripheral uses proprietary Wi-Fi technology when it’s connected to the Xbox One and certain PCs, but it switches to Bluetooth for all other devices.

Does Android Have Xbox One Controller Support?

Google added Xbox One controller support to Android 9 Pie, but as previously stated, the Xbox One controller needs Bluetooth when used with Android. Not all models have this component, especially units that shipped with the original Xbox One console. You can tell a difference by looking at the controller’s design.

The model on the left sports one complete faceplate that extends to the Xbox button and back edge. This model includes a Bluetooth component. On the right, you’ll see the original Xbox One controller without a Bluetooth component. The faceplate and Xbox button housing are separate.

In summary, you need to meet three requirements:

• Android 9 Pie or newer
• A device with Bluetooth
• An Xbox Controller with Bluetooth

How to Connect an Xbox One Controller to Android

Open Settings on your Android device. This may be represented by a gear icon located on the Home screen or app drawer.

Typically, you can also swipe down from the screen’s top edge to open the Quick Settings bar, then tap the Gear icon to open the settings.

Find the Bluetooth settings. This may or may not be tucked away under a different category, depending on the device’s interface. For instance, Samsung’s One UI interface (below) places Bluetooth under Connections.

Enable Bluetooth if it’s not already.

On the Xbox controller, press the Xbox button until it’s lit. This turns on the device.

On the back of the controller, you’ll see a small USB Micro-B port and a sync button. Press the sync button until the Xbox button on top starts blinking. It’s now in Bluetooth pairing mode.

Go back to your Android device and tap Bluetooth.

Your device will scan for other Bluetooth devices. Tap the Xbox Wireless Controller when it appears on the list, and the two devices will automatically pair.

For a simple check to see if pairing was successful, move the Xbox One controller’s thumb sticks to navigate the Android device’s interface.

Источник

How to Connect the Xbox Series X or S Controller to Android

Go mobile with a controller

What to Know:

• Hold down the small button at the top of the controller until the Xbox button begins to flash to turn on Bluetooth pairing.
• On your Android phone, tap Settings >Bluetooth, and select your controller under Available Devices.
• You can stream games to the Xbox app from your games console and play. Not all Android games are compatible with controllers.

This article teaches you how to connect an Xbox Series X or S controller to your Android smartphone.

How to Connect the Xbox Series X or S Controller to Android

Android smartphones have plenty of games at their disposal so it’s smart to be able to connect your Xbox Series X or S controller to your Android phone. Here’s how to connect Xbox controller to Android with a focus on pairing up your Xbox Series X or S controller to your phone.

These instructions also work with all Bluetooth-compatible Xbox One controllers as well as the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. However, not all Android phone menus are identical and some steps and menu options vary slightly depending on phone.

Turn your Xbox Series X or S controller on by holding down the Xbox logo in the middle of the controller.

Hold down the small button at the top of the controller until the Xbox button begins to flash.

On your Android phone, tap Settings.

Tap Bluetooth.

Your Xbox controller should now appear as one of the devices to pair under Available Devices.

Tap the Xbox controller name and wait a few moments for the pairing to take effect.

The controller is now paired with your Android smartphone.

How to Disconnect Your Xbox Series X or S Controller From Your Android Smartphone

Want to disconnect your Xbox Series X or S controller once you’ve finished playing? Here’s what to do on your Android.

You can also hold down the glowing Xbox button on the controller for a few seconds to switch it off.

Tap Settings.

Tap Bluetooth.

Tap the i next to the named controller.

Tap Disconnect.

If you’d prefer to unpair it, requiring you to pair it again if you want to reuse it, tap unpair.

What Can I Do With the Connected Controller?

Not sure what to do next now you’ve connected your Xbox Series X or S controller to your Android phone? Here’s a quick look at what you can and can’t do.

• It’s possible to stream Xbox games from your console to your Android phone. Via the Xbox app, you can play games directly from your games console without having to sit in front of your TV. It only works via your local network but it can be useful if someone is taking up the TV and you still want to play your favorite game.
• You can stream games remotely via the Cloud Gaming app. Got an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership? You can stream games using the Cloud Gaming beta app without even needing to download games to your console first. It’s a great way of trying out a game without having to wait hours for it to download.
• You can play any Android game that supports controllers. Many Android games support controllers so look out for them and play them with your shiny Xbox Series X or S controller rather than rely on touchscreen options.
• You can’t navigate your Android phone’s home screen with the controller. You can’t use your Xbox controller like a mouse and switch between apps or negotiate menus with it. It’s solely for playing compatible games with and nothing else.

Источник

How to Connect a PS4 Controller to Android

Fun, and likely to have native support

Mobile gaming has come a long way. There are plenty of console-quality video games available on mobile devices and now remote game streaming through services like PS Now, Stadia and Xcloud are set to become commonplace services on mobile devices.

While you can certainly use touch controls with these games and apps, nothing beats a proper physical game controller. So if you want to use the excellent PS4 controller with your Android device, read on to find out what to do.

Game Compatibility

Unlike iOS, there are no universal controller standards on Android. Which means that, although you can connect any controller using USB or Bluetooth, it’s up to the app developer to support a given controller.

This means that some games will work with one proprietary controller and not with another. It also means that just because a given game works with, for example, the Xbox One controller, that it will also work with a PS4 controller.

Now, in practice, developers are very unlikely to support one major controller and not another. However, before investing in one controller or another, check the games you most want to play for compatibility with DS4. The types of supported controller will usually be listed in the app description in the Google Play Store.

Alternatively, you can always visit the game’s home page or send an email to the developer. Luckily, you can refund most games bought on the Play Store if they don’t work for you.

Is an Xbox Controller Better?

As we mentioned above, controller support varies from one app to the next. Given it’s cross-platform popularity the Xbox controller is more likely to have native support with Android games.

However, it’s very important to note that if you want to make use of the Xcloud service, which streams Xbox games to your phone, you don’t need an Xbox controller. Microsoft has announced that Xcloud officially supports the PS4 controller. So if that’s something you’ve been worrying about, you can lay those fears to rest.

Consider a Controller Bracket

Unlike tablets, which usually have integrated stands, smartphones need some sort of support if you aren’t holding them. When you’re using a controller, this is especially evident. Even worse, their smaller screens don’t make them comfortable to play at a distance.

So if you’re planning on using a PS4 controller with an Android phone, strongly consider picking up a good controller bracket. This is a device that has mountings for both your controller and phone. Letting you play comfortably. The next best solution would be a proprietary split controller or controller with an integrated bracket, but these are rarely as good to use as a proper Sony PS4 controller.

How to Connect a PS4 Controller to Android Wirelessly

Connecting a PS4 controller to your Android device works pretty much the same as it does connecting any other Bluetooth device. The only part that isn’t entirely obvious is how to get the PS4 controller into pairing mode to begin with. Here’s how to do it:

1.On the PS4 controller, press and hold the round PlayStation button and Share button until the Light Bar starts flashing white in a strobe pattern.

2.Navigate to the Bluetooth menu via your phone’s settings.The controller should show up as a wireless controller (or perhaps under its own name).

3.Select the available device and the controller will pair with your phone. You may need to confirm pairing if asked

That should be all you need. The controller will work immediately. In fact, you’ll notice that you can actually control Android itself with the controller! Which means more than just games will work. You can use your controller as a remote for applications like Powerpoint or control video playback in media apps. So there are more reasons to hook up your PS4 controller than just playing games!

To turn your controller off, simply disconnect it via the Bluetooth menu or hold the round Playstation button down until the light bar turns off.

How to Connect a PS4 Controller to Android Wired

In order to get this setup working, you’ll need a few things. First of all, you need an Android phone that supports OTG or “on-the-go” connections. This basically means that the phone can act as a USB host, and have devices like flash drives or keyboards connected to it.

Almost any modern Android phone will support OTG connections, but some lower-end models may not. Check your phone’s manual or product page for mention of OTG support or official OTG accessories.

The USB connection on the PS4 controller uses micro-USB. The typical micro USB cable will have the large USB Type-A connector on the other end. So the solution is to use an OTG adapter, which converts your phone’s main USB connection to a female USB Type-A connection. Current Android phones will use either a USB-C OTG adapter or a micro USB OTG adapter.

All you have to do is plug a standard micro USB cable into the adapter and then the adapter into your phone. Then connect the remaining end into your controller. It should then immediately start working.

Button Mashing on the Go

Mobile game designers have been trying to emulate the precision and feel of physical game controllers on touch screens for years. The simple fact of the matter is that a touch screen will never provide the same level of control as a gamepad. There are plenty of games that are brilliant on a touch screen because they have been designed around it, but trying to get console-equivalent games working well on a piece of glass is doomed to failure.

So it’s a good thing that developers are now starting to support gamepads much more often. It’s especially great that they’re supporting mainstream controllers such as the DualShock 4. Which means, if you already have one, there’s no harm in giving it a shot!

However, as one final tip, if you want to use your PS4 controller with a PS4 again, you’ll need to connect it to your console via USB in order to pair it again. It’s a bit of a hassle, but at least it’s fast and easy.

Sydney Butler is a social scientist and technology fanatic who tries to understand how people and technology coexist. He has two decades of experience as a freelance computer technician and more than a decade as a technologies researcher and instructor. Sydney has been a professional technology writer for more than five years and covers topics such as VR, Gaming, Cyber security and Transhumanism. Read Sydney’s Full Bio

Источник