How to Connect an Xbox Controller to PC, Phone or TV—and Fix Pairing Problems

Guide · Updated October 15, 2026

To connect a Bluetooth-capable Xbox controller, turn it on, hold the Pair button near the controller’s USB port until the Xbox button flashes rapidly, then select “Xbox Wireless Controller” in the Bluetooth menu on your PC, phone, tablet, or TV. A solid Xbox button normally means the connection is complete.

If the controller does not appear, remove its old Bluetooth entry, restart both devices, put the controller back into pairing mode, and try again at close range. On Windows, updating the controller through the Xbox Accessories app is one of the most useful next steps.

Before you start: Xbox Wireless is not the same as Bluetooth

Xbox controllers can use several connection methods:

Xbox Wireless connects directly to Xbox consoles and can connect to a Windows PC through supported built-in hardware or an Xbox Wireless Adapter.
Bluetooth connects compatible controllers to Windows PCs, Android devices, Apple devices, and supported smart TVs.
USB provides a wired connection and can also be used for firmware updates when the cable supports data.

Not every older Xbox One controller includes Bluetooth. The current Xbox Wireless Controller, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Adaptive Controller, and Microsoft’s newly announced Xbox Nano Controller support Bluetooth, but compatibility varies among older models and third-party pads.

If a controller pairs with an Xbox console but never appears in another device’s Bluetooth list, confirm the exact model supports Bluetooth before troubleshooting the phone or PC.

How to put an Xbox controller in Bluetooth pairing mode

Insert charged batteries or make sure the internal battery has power.
Press the Xbox button to turn on the controller.
Press and hold the small Pair button on the top edge near the USB port.
Release it when the Xbox button begins flashing rapidly.
Open the other device’s Bluetooth settings and select Xbox Wireless Controller.

A slow flash generally means the controller is searching for a previously connected host. The faster pairing flash is what you want when adding it as a new Bluetooth device.

How to connect an Xbox controller to Windows 11

Open Settings.
Select Bluetooth & devices.
Turn Bluetooth on.
Select Add device, then choose Bluetooth.
Put the controller into pairing mode.
Select Xbox Wireless Controller when it appears.

Microsoft’s Windows controller guide confirms the same basic sequence: turn on the pad, hold Pair until the Xbox button flashes, and add it from Bluetooth & devices.

If your desktop PC does not have Bluetooth, use a compatible Bluetooth adapter, an Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, or a USB cable. Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth are separate technologies, so a PC lacking Bluetooth does not prevent it from using the official Xbox adapter.

How to connect with a USB cable

Connect the controller to the PC with a compatible USB data cable.
Wait while Windows identifies and configures it.
Open a controller-compatible game and check the input.

A charge-only cable may power the controller without carrying input or update data. If Windows does not recognize the pad, try another cable that is known to support data and another USB port.

How to connect an Xbox controller to Android

Menu names differ by phone manufacturer, but the process is usually:

Open Settings.
Open Connected devices, Connections, or Bluetooth.
Choose Pair new device.
Put the Xbox controller in pairing mode.
Tap Xbox Wireless Controller.
Approve the pairing request if one appears.

Pairing successfully does not guarantee that every Android game supports a controller. If the pad works in the phone interface or one game but not another, check that game’s control settings and controller support before resetting the Bluetooth connection.

How to connect an Xbox controller to iPhone or iPad

Open Settings > Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Put the Xbox controller into pairing mode.
Under Other Devices, tap Xbox Wireless Controller.

Apple officially supports compatible Xbox controllers on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s Xbox controller support page also links to button customization and troubleshooting information.

As on Android, the app or game must support controller input. A controller that navigates some system screens but does nothing in one particular game may be paired correctly.

How to connect an Xbox controller to Apple TV

Open Settings on Apple TV.
Select Remotes and Devices.
Select Bluetooth.
Put the controller into pairing mode.
Select Xbox Wireless Controller.

If a game does not respond, confirm that the Apple TV app supports game controllers. Bluetooth connectivity and game compatibility are two different checks.

How to connect an Xbox controller to Google TV or Android TV

Open the TV’s Settings.
Select Remotes & Accessories or the equivalent accessory menu.
Choose Pair accessory.
Put the Xbox controller into pairing mode.
Select the controller and approve Pair.

Google says supported Google TV devices can pair Bluetooth game controllers. Its Bluetooth accessory guide notes that menu behavior and device support can vary by manufacturer.

Some smart TVs use their own settings layout. On compatible Samsung TVs, for example, the controller is added through the TV’s Bluetooth controller or gamepad menu. Check the television manufacturer’s instructions if “Remotes & Accessories” is absent.

How to switch an Xbox controller between console and Bluetooth

Supported newer Xbox controllers can remember an Xbox Wireless host and a Bluetooth host. Microsoft says these controllers can switch between the previously connected devices with the Pair button after the appropriate firmware update.

On supported models, double-tapping Pair switches back to the Xbox Wireless connection. Holding Pair starts the Bluetooth reconnection process. Behavior can differ by controller and firmware version, so update the controller if device switching is inconsistent.

Fix: the Xbox controller does not appear in Bluetooth

Work through these fixes in order:

Check the controller model. Older Xbox One controllers without Bluetooth will not appear in a phone, tablet, TV, or PC Bluetooth scan.
Charge it or replace the batteries. Low power can interrupt pairing or cause immediate disconnects.
Use the full pairing action. Hold Pair until the Xbox button flashes rapidly rather than simply turning the controller on.
Move closer. Pair within a few feet of the device and temporarily move away from crowded wireless equipment.
Turn Bluetooth off and on. Do this on the PC, phone, or TV, then scan again.
Restart both devices. Fully restart the host and power-cycle the controller.
Disconnect from the old host. Turn off a nearby Xbox, PC, tablet, or phone that may be reclaiming the controller.
Update the firmware. Use an Xbox console or the Xbox Accessories app on Windows.

Fix: it is listed but will not connect

A stale saved pairing is a common cause. Remove the controller from the host’s Bluetooth list, then add it again:

Open Bluetooth settings.
Select the saved Xbox Wireless Controller.
Choose Remove device, Forget, or Unpair.
Restart the host.
Put the controller back into pairing mode.
Add it as a new device.

If the controller keeps connecting to another nearby device, temporarily disable Bluetooth on that device during the new pairing process.

Fix: it connects but does not work in games

Confirm that the game supports controller input on that platform.
Close and reopen the game after the controller connects.
Check the game’s input setting and select controller or gamepad if required.
Disconnect other gamepads that may have become Player 1.
On Windows, test a wired USB connection to separate a Bluetooth problem from a game-input problem.
Update Windows, the game, and the controller firmware.
If Steam is involved, review the game’s controller settings and Steam Input configuration.

If the controller works in other games, the Bluetooth connection itself is probably functioning. Focus on the game’s supported controllers, input mode, launcher, and local-player assignment.

How to update Xbox controller firmware

On an Xbox console

Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
Open Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Accessories.
Select the controller.
Open the additional-options screen and follow any update prompt.

On a Windows PC

Install or open the Xbox Accessories app from Microsoft Store.
Connect the controller with a USB data cable or Xbox Wireless Adapter if required.
Select the controller and install an available firmware update.
Restart the controller, remove the old Bluetooth pairing, and pair it again.

Microsoft’s official controller update page contains the current paths. Do not disconnect the controller or shut down the console or PC while an update is installing.

Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless or USB: which should you use?

Connection	Best for	Main limitation
Bluetooth	Phones, tablets, smart TVs, and convenient PC use	Controller and host must support Bluetooth
Xbox Wireless	Xbox consoles and compatible Windows setups	A PC may need an Xbox Wireless Adapter
USB	Reliable PC input, testing, and firmware updates	Requires a data cable and creates a wired setup

Use Bluetooth for convenience and broad device support. Use Xbox Wireless when you want the native Xbox connection on console or a compatible PC. Use USB when troubleshooting, updating firmware, or avoiding wireless interference.

Quick answers

Why does my Xbox controller keep blinking?

It is searching for a connection. A rapid flash means pairing mode. If it never becomes solid, the host has not completed the connection.

Can an Xbox controller connect to two devices at once?

No. Supported models can remember an Xbox Wireless host and a Bluetooth host and switch between them, but the controller provides active input to one host at a time.

Can every Xbox One controller use Bluetooth?

No. Early Xbox One wireless controllers do not support Bluetooth. Confirm the exact controller model before trying to pair it with a phone, tablet, smart TV, or Bluetooth-only PC.

Why does USB charge the controller but not connect it?

The cable may carry power without data. Try a known data-capable cable and another USB port.

The bottom line

Turn on a Bluetooth-capable Xbox controller, hold Pair until the Xbox button flashes rapidly, and select Xbox Wireless Controller in the host’s Bluetooth settings. If that fails, remove the saved pairing, restart both devices, verify Bluetooth support, check the batteries, and update the controller firmware.

For Windows problems, a wired USB test is the fastest way to determine whether the controller itself works. For phones and TVs, remember that successful pairing does not guarantee every game or app accepts controller input.

If you are connecting primarily for cloud gaming, see our Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential comparison before choosing a subscription.

Instructions verified October 15, 2026 using Microsoft Windows and Xbox support, Apple Support, and Google TV Help. Menu names may vary by operating-system version and device manufacturer.