New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on October 3, 2022) follows:

According to Google, Stadia will be discontinued in January 2023. It was designed to be a next-generation cloud gaming service, but it evolved into much more.

Without Stadia, users will lose the ability and flexibility to play the games that they want on any device or platform.

Google Stadia controller Bluetooth support

An increasing number of Stadia subscribers are now requesting Google to ensure that the Stadia controller remains useful even after the platform shuts down (1,2,3,4,5).

Google Stadia controller
Source

Google Stadia servers will be ‘alive’ until January 19, 2023. And it’s great that Google is doing the right thing by offering Stadia controller owners refunds without them having to physically return it.

However, some of them are now asking Google to go one step further and allow the controller to be used as a generic Bluetooth controller to play other games on other platforms.

The Stadia controller currently includes Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities; however, it cannot be used wirelessly without Stadia or a compatible Chromecast device.

I have 9 Google Stadia controllers and 6 chromecast Ultras….What to do with these? Please enable Bluetooth support so we can use this controller with otherdevices @GoogleStadia
Source

Now that Google Stadia is heading to the graveyard, Google should probably opensource the hardware or provide a firmware to make it a generic bluetooth controller? maybe?
Source

Some are even running petitions where they want to get maximum signatures before submitting them to Google (1,2,3). Others are urging Google to rethink and keep the Stadia platform operational (1,2).

According to reports, the Google Stadia controller Bluetooth support is allegedly being investigated internally. However, there are no promises that this will happen.

Stadia Controller Bluetooth
Source

The Google Stadia team is looking at a potential firmware update or maybe unlocking the bootloader.

Potential workaround

A Stadian has indicated that they have developed a viable method for making the Stadia controller wirelessly useable on other platforms. The GitHub link to the tool is available here:

Google Stadia workaround
Source

With Google Stadia now shutting down, you can try any of these alternative cloud gaming services.

As always, we will be updating this space as and when we come across more information so stay tuned.

Update 1 (January 16, 2023)

13:10 pm (IST): The Google Stadia controller has finally received Bluetooth certification and might soon receive an update that brings full-fledged Bluetooth support, saving it from becoming obsolete.

Update 2 (January 18, 2023)

09:25 am (IST): The update that adds Bluetooth support to Google Stadia controllers is now live and available for everyone to install.

Update 3 (January 19, 2023)

11:37 pm (IST): Google Stadia has announced that they’ll be shutting down the cloud-gaming service today at 11:59 pm PT.

To our players and partners, our team, community and fans: thank you, for everything. As of 11:59pm PT today, we’re signing off from the cloud. Y’all be good to each other, and stay safe out there. (Source)

Note: We have more such stories in our dedicated Google and Gaming sections so be sure to follow them as well.

PiunikaWeb started as purely an investigative tech journalism website with main focus on ‘breaking’ or ‘exclusive’ news. In no time, our stories got picked up by the likes of Forbes, Foxnews, Gizmodo, TechCrunch, Engadget, The Verge, Macrumors, and many others. Want to know more about us? Head here.

Karanjot Sidhu
939 Posts

A computer science engineer who loves tech and won't stop talking about it. Apart from being a nerd, i love gaming and watching movies in my free time.

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