If you own a Google Stadia Controller this is your last chance

The window to convert Google Stadia Controllers to Bluetooth mode is closing, with support set to end on December 31, 2025. This equity follows the shutdown of the Stadia service in January 2023, after which Google introduced a utility to transition the controllers from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth functionality.

Initially, users had until the end of 2023 to complete the conversion. However, in a last-minute decision, Google extended the deadline into 2024. As the revised date approaches, controllers not updated to Bluetooth risk becoming obsolete. Users must act promptly, transitioning their controllers through a simple process using Chrome 108 or newer. Following the switch, the controller can be used with various devices, including PCs and smartphones, though the Wi-Fi mode will be permanently disabled.

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The Stadia Controllers were designed for use with Google’s cloud gaming service, originally connecting via Wi-Fi. Upon the service’s termination, the Bluetooth conversion tool emerged, initially suggested for closure at the end of 2023. Yet, following user feedback, the deadline was shifted to the end of this year, now further extended.

Notably, Stadia Controllers will not support the use of the 3.5mm jack and USB port for audio while operating in Bluetooth mode. However, audio can still be accessed via the 3.5mm jack when connected through USB-C. This limitation emphasizes the importance of upgrading to Bluetooth, preventing the controller from becoming e-waste.

Google’s decision to roll out the Bluetooth utility provides a lifeline for Stadia Controllers, ensuring they remain functional post-Shutdown. With this extension, the company aimed to prevent unnecessary waste and promote continued use of the controllers in diverse gaming environments.

For those interested, third-party options are available on GitHub, yet some tools use WebUSB, making their long-term viability unclear. Users are encouraged to switch to Bluetooth soon to ensure continued functionality. As the deadline approaches, the ease of the upgrade remains a straightforward process, even for those unfamiliar with the technology.

The Stadia service, while now defunct, left behind its dedicated controller, unique for its cloud gaming capabilities. This hardware reflects Google’s earlier ambitions in the gaming industry, despite the platform’s relatively brief existence. Users can still find Stadia Controllers on various marketplaces, suggesting a lingering interest, even after the service’s discontinuation.

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