How to Replace an Xbox Controller From a Console to a Computer or Phone
In Xbox Series X Controllers | S has a relatively unknown feature that makes them much easier to use with multiple devices: the Sync button on your controller has built-in shortcuts that let you switch between the last used Xbox and PC or mobile device automatically.
Ironically, this handy feature is mostly hidden. Microsoft barely mentions it in any of the official documentation, and it is only in recent posts on Reddit and Twitter that this feature has ever been shown on vide0 – which is odd because it’s a feature that’s mostly exclusive to the Xbox Series X controller | S. at present. You can’t do this with a PlayStation 4 or 5 controller, Switch Joycons or Pro controller, or even Xbox One or Xbox Elite controllers.
Series X Controllers | S supports two types of wireless connectivity – Bluetooth and Microsoft’s proprietary Xbox Wireless – and remembers the most recently used devices of each type. This way, you can connect your controller to your Xbox console via Xbox Wireless (or to your PC via the Xbox Wireless Adapter), as well as your smartphone, tablet, or PC with Bluetooth, and the controller will remember both. Other controllers can only remember one Bluetooth device at a time.
Microsoft has explicitly implemented this feature intentionally and intelligently made unique inputs to exchange connection types so that you don’t get confused or mistakenly connect to the wrong place:
- To connect to a Bluetooth device: Hold the Sync button on the top of the controller. Once connected, the Xbox icon will flash twice.
- To connect to an Xbox wireless device: Double-click the Sync button. Once connected, the Xbox icon will blink once.
Obviously, you can’t use the controller on both devices at the same time (you wouldn’t want to anyway). Controller can only switch between one Xbox One or Series X console | S (or PC with Xbox Wireless Adapter) and one PC, phone, or tablet using Bluetooth. You cannot hot swap between two Xbox or two mobile phones, although you can switch between two computers if one is using an Xbox Wireless Dongle and the other using Bluetooth.
Limitations aside, this will definitely come in handy if you’re using the same controller to play games on your Xbox at home, and on your Android or iPhone via the Xbox app .