TL;DR
Google provided a web tool to enable Bluetooth on the Wi‑Fi‑only Stadia controller after the Stadia service shut down in 2023. That conversion tool has been extended several times and is scheduled to expire at the end of 2025, leaving a narrow final window to install the Bluetooth update.
What happened
Google discontinued Stadia on January 18, 2023. Because the official Stadia controller originally relied on a Wi‑Fi connection to the service, it became largely unusable once servers were turned off. To keep the hardware from becoming electronic waste, Google published a browser-based utility that unlocks the controller's dormant Bluetooth radio so it can act as a standard gamepad for other devices. The web utility was initially planned to be removed at the end of the year, then extended to the end of 2024 and again to the end of 2025. With no further extension announced, the tool is scheduled to lapse at the close of 2025, creating an urgent deadline for owners who want to apply the Bluetooth firmware. The article also notes recent Steam support improvements for the controller, increasing its usefulness after conversion.
Why it matters
- Converting the controller prevents otherwise functional hardware from becoming e‑waste.
- Bluetooth mode lets the device work with PCs, Macs, Android devices and iOS devices.
- Without the web tool, the Wi‑Fi‑only controller would remain effectively unusable after Stadia’s shutdown.
- Recent Steam upgrades improve the controller’s value once Bluetooth is enabled.
Key facts
- Stadia stopped operating on January 18, 2023.
- The Stadia controller shipped as Wi‑Fi‑only by default, which tied it to the platform.
- Google released a web‑based tool to enable the controller’s Bluetooth radio after shutdown.
- The conversion utility’s availability was first set to end at year’s end, then extended to end of 2024 and later to end of 2025.
- At the time of reporting, no further extension had been announced and the tool is due to expire at the close of 2025.
- Basic conversion steps include connecting the controller to a PC via USB‑C, letting the browser verify it, following a sequence of button holds, and installing the Bluetooth update via the web tool.
- Steam issued recent updates improving support for the Stadia controller.
What to watch next
- Whether Google will issue another extension for the Bluetooth conversion tool — not confirmed in the source.
- How Steam’s recent upgrades affect the controller’s compatibility and features in practice — not confirmed in the source.
- Any community or third‑party methods that might emerge after the web tool goes offline — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Stadia: Google’s cloud gaming service that streamed games from remote servers to players; it ceased operation in January 2023.
- Stadia controller: The official gamepad Google sold for Stadia, originally designed to connect to the service over Wi‑Fi.
- Bluetooth: A short‑range wireless technology standard used for connecting peripherals like controllers to computers, phones and other devices.
- E‑waste: Discarded electronic devices and components that can pose environmental and resource‑recovery challenges if not reused or recycled.
Reader FAQ
When did Stadia shut down?
Stadia ceased operations on January 18, 2023.
Can the converted controller work with non‑Stadia devices?
Yes — the Bluetooth‑enabled controller can be used with PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices according to the report.
How do I convert my controller to Bluetooth?
Use the Stadia controller webpage on a PC, connect the controller via USB‑C for verification, follow the specified button‑hold sequence, then reinstall the update to enable Bluetooth.
Will Google extend the conversion tool again?
Not confirmed in the source.
There are just two days left to prevent your Stadia controller from becoming e-waste By Karandeep Singh Oberoi Published 17 minutes ago Karandeep Singh Oberoi is a Durham College Journalism…
Sources
- There are just two days left to prevent your Stadia controller from becoming e-waste
- You have a whole additional year to convert your Google …
- PSA: Stop your Stadia controller from becoming e-waste on …
- Google Stadia controller lives to die another day
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