Meet the Stadia Controller

You can use the Stadia Controller to play games on Stadia, navigate menus, capture screenshots and video clips, and more.

Buttons and controls

Note: When you link a Stadia Controller to a compatible TV, the controller can only be used to navigate the Stadia app. To navigate other sections of your TV interface, connect a Bluetooth controller or use the TV remote that came with your device.

Stadia button

The Stadia button is used to turn on the Stadia platform and access menus. It has a built-in status light.

To do this...	Do this
Turn on the Stadia platform	Press and hold the Stadia button for 1 second until the controller vibrates. Note: Before you turn on Stadia, you must link your controller to the screen you want to use.
Open the Stadia menu See your profile information Check your network connection status Adjust audio levels Start a party View notifications Exit a game	Quickly press the Stadia button once. Note: Opening the Stadia menu does not pause your game.
Open the Stadia platform menu Resume game Turn the controller off Exit game Switch accounts Shut down Stadia	Press and hold the Stadia button for 1 second while the Stadia platform is on. Note: Some options may only appear on some platforms. Opening the platform menu does not pause your game.
Turn off the controller	Press and hold the Stadia button for 4 seconds.
Re-enter linking mode	When the Stadia Controller is off, press and hold the Stadia button for 3 seconds until it vibrates twice. Note: This can be useful when switching screens wirelessly to another device. For example, when switching between your TV and computer.
Turn off the controller (hard power down)	Press and hold the Stadia button for 8 seconds to turn off the controller (hard power down). This can be useful as a reset procedure if your controller becomes unresponsive. To turn the controller back on, press and hold the Stadia button for 1 second.

Gameplay controls

Face buttons A button B button X button Y button	The face buttons are used for different actions, depending on the game you're playing. Actions may include running, jumping, or interacting with objects.
Shoulder buttons Left bumper (L1) Left trigger (L2) Right bumper (R1) Right trigger (R2)	The shoulder buttons are the bumpers and triggers located on the top of the Stadia Controller. They're often used for actions like shooting, throwing, or controlling vehicle throttle and brakes. The triggers are analog, so games can tell how far down you press them. They're used in games that require a variable amount of pressure, like racing games that simulate gas and brake pedals.
Direction pad Up Down Left Right	This 8-directional D-pad is used to perform directional actions (up, down, left, right, or diagonal). The D-Pad is used for menu selection, moving your character, or for fighting game actions and combos. The D-Pad may be used differently depending on what game you're playing.
Direction sticks Left stick (L3) Right stick (R3)	The Stadia Controller has two 360° sticks. They're commonly used to move your character or move the camera view. Either stick can be pressed like a button. These "buttons" are called L3 and R3. Like other buttons, L3 and R3 have different uses, depending on the game you're playing.

Other buttons

Menu	Access the in-game menu Pause supported games May be used differently in some games
Options	Access the in-game options menu Pause supported games May be used differently in some games
Assistant	Talk to the Google Assistant Note: You don't need to hold the button down while you speak. To use Google Assistant with your Stadia Controller, you must enable Google Assistant in your Stadia account settings.
Capture	Press to save a screenshot Hold to save a video clip

Status light

Blinking white		The controller is ready for you to enter the linking code. It will take several seconds to link after entering a code.
Solid white		The controller is on, linked to a screen and ready for gameplay.
Blinking orange		The controller needs to be set up with WiFi. Open the Stadia App and tap the controller icon to set the controller up on your WiFi network.
Blinking orange and white		New software is being applied to your Stadia Controller. The controller is not usable while this software is being applied.
White double blink		You pressed the Assistant button and the Assistant is ready to accept your query.
Solid orange		The controller is charging. The status light will turn off when charging is complete.

Ports

Note: Stadia does not currently support headphone or headset connections via Bluetooth.

3.5mm headphone jack and microphone

• The 3.5mm headphone jack is located on the bottom of the Stadia Controller. You can plug wired headphones into the controller to listen to your game. The headphone jack works with headphones with or without a built-in microphone. If your headphones have a microphone, you can speak into it to use voice chat and Google Assistant on Stadia.
  Note: When using the headphone jack, you will not be able to play audio from your TV, computer, or mobile device.
• The Stadia Controller has a microphone near the headset jack. With Google Assistant enabled, the mic will turn on when you press the Assistant button. When you can speak to the Assistant, the status light on your controller will blink in a series of two short flashes followed by a pause. You'll also see an Assistant indicator on the screen where you're playing.
  • When you plug a headset into your Stadia Controller and press the Assistant button, you'll have to speak to the Assistant using your headset's microphone.
  • Note: When you connect your Stadia Controller to your Android mobile device, or link to it wirelessly, you'll be able to hear and respond to in-game voice chat or party chat when you connect a headset with microphone to your controller. You can also use Bluetooth or a USB cable to connect a headset to your Android mobile device.
• The PlayStation® DualShock®4 Controller also supports audio input and output via a headset connected to the 3.5mm audio jack. For all other supported controllers, including mouse and keyboard, headsets must be connected directly to the computer or phone for audio input and output.

USB-C® port

• To charge the Stadia Controller's battery, use a USB-C cable to plug it into a power adapter or a USB port on a computer.
• For wired play, use a USB-C cable to connect the Stadia Controller to a computer or compatible mobile device.
  • If a USB-A to USB-C cable is used to connect to a computer, the USB-C side must be connected to the Stadia Controller. Connecting the USB-A side to the Stadia Controller via an adapter is not recommended.
• To charge your Stadia Controller during wireless gameplay on your TV, turn on the controller and link it to a TV screen, then plug it into a power adapter or your computer's USB port. To charge your controller during wireless gameplay on your computer or mobile device, plug it into a power adapter.
• For game audio and voice chat, plug a USB headset into the USB-C port on your controller.
  • Libratone Q Adapt USB-C Earphones are not compatible with the Stadia Controller.
  • AIAIAI TMA-2 MFG4 On-Ear headphones can only be used with a 3.5mm cable.
• Use a USB-C cable to connect the Stadia Controller to another controller in Tandem Mode.

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 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 .
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.

PLAYSTATION and DUALSHOCK 4 are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

USB-C is a registered trademark of USB Implementers Forum.