Google Stadia Controller Won’t Support Bluetooth Audio At Launch

Stadia Product Director Andrey Doronichev has stated that its new controller model of Google Stadia won’t be Bluetooth compatible when first going public in November. Without a wireless connection, users are suggested to plug their personal wired headphones into the available 3.5mm jack for a private listening experience.

There will still be another option for Stadia customers on the launching day provided that they own a Pixel phone or use Chrome as the browser. Doronichev states that Bluetooth headphones will work with Stadia only when they're connected to your computer or Pixel-series phone. Pixel would be one of a few handset lines that are compatible with Stadia at launch (although there’s no specification about which Pixel phone is the one, we can assume the Pixel 3 and earlier models are).

This way can actually work since it works around Stadia, which calls for a Wi-Fi connection to synchronize with the screen the controller is being plugged into. At first, this might affect any Stadia customers wishing to stream game audio to their Bluetooth headphones while TV-gaming through Chromecast Ultra. For others, the alternatives mentioned might resolve their problem of not being able to stream wireless audio.

I know it’s so disappointing. I myself purchased a 60$-worth Bluetooth audio adapter, just to have that feature in my Nintendo Switch. Though, the new controller might have this feature sometime in the future. As seen in the product description, the Stadia handheld controller will be on display with the Bluetooth feature turned off. There are details on the product page stating that it might be turned on at some point. So, we’re hoping to see Google switching the ON button once everything settles after the launch time.

Before that, you will have to turn to your wired headphones.