Google Stadia's New Feature Now Allows Phones As Gamepad

Google has rolled out a new feature that will let TC-bound Stadia players use their Android phone or iPhone as a virtual gamepad.

According to Google, casual gamers do not need the official Stadia Controller when they want to use Google’s game streaming service on the TV and they can also use third-party gamepads by connecting them to their phone through Bluetooth or USB.

The widened controller support requires Android TV, Google TV, or a Chromecast Ultra. In most cases, you'll need to either add a controller or enable the touch gamepad through the Stadia mobile app, and promptly choose "play on TV." Android TV and Google TV owners will also need to enable a controller through the avatar section on the big-screen Stadia app.

While giving casual gamers the flexibility to where to play, the new feature is expected to help boost Steadia’s adoption. It's now relatively easy to use a favorite gamepad with your TV or, if you prefer, save a little money and use no gamepad at all.

Alternatively, you can use your Android or iOS phone or tablet as a gamepad. For those with an iOS device, it’s worth noting that you’ll need to use the dedicated app from the App Store rather than the PWA that lets you actively play Stadia on your device. This is another nice bonus for a service that lets you just use what you already have rather than needing to go out and buy more hardware to get gaming.