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How to Connect a Bluetooth Controller to Android

Put the controller into its model-specific pairing mode, then select it under Android Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device.
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Put the controller into pairing mode using the instructions for its specific model. On your Android device, open Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device, then select the controller from the list. Menu names can vary by Android version and device maker.

Pair the controller with Android

  1. Put the controller into pairing mode. Use the pairing button or button combination specified in the controller’s manual; the method differs by model. Google’s Android controller setup instructions also direct users to the controller manual for this step.
  2. Open Android Settings. Go to Connected devices, then tap Pair new device.
  3. Select the controller. Tap its name when it appears among the available Bluetooth devices. If Android asks you to confirm pairing, follow the on-screen prompt.

Android’s general Bluetooth instructions note that available steps and labels can differ by device; some features require Android 15 or later or supporting hardware. If your menus do not match, look for Bluetooth or connected-device settings on your phone rather than assuming every Android device has identical labels. See Google’s Bluetooth device setup guidance.

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Reconnect a controller you paired before

If the controller is already saved on the phone, turn Bluetooth on and select the controller from the saved-device list when it is disconnected. You generally do not need to pair it as a new device again. If you no longer want Android to remember that pairing, use the saved device’s management controls to forget it; the precise labels can vary by phone.

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If Android cannot find the controller

  • Check pairing mode. Make sure the controller is in its model-specific pairing mode, following its manual. Being powered on does not necessarily mean it is discoverable for pairing.
  • Use the standard pairing screen. Open Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device and check the available-device list.
  • For a saved controller, reconnect from saved devices. Turn on Bluetooth and select the previously paired accessory rather than treating it as new.
  • Remove an obsolete pairing if needed. Forget the saved accessory through Android’s device management controls, then start pairing again.
  • Do not rely on Fast Pair unless the controller supports it. A compatible accessory may show a connection prompt, but if no prompt appears, use the regular Settings pairing flow. Google’s Fast Pair instructions apply only to supported accessories.

Bluetooth or a cable: which connection should you use?

Connection What it requires What to consider
Bluetooth A controller that supports Bluetooth and an Android device that can connect to it. No cable is needed during play, but you must pair the controller and confirm that the specific controller and game support the setup.
Wired A controller and cable compatible with the Android device. It avoids Bluetooth pairing, but requires a cable. Google’s Android controller guidance recognizes compatible wired connections; it does not establish that every controller, cable, or phone combination works.

Android’s support for Bluetooth or compatible wired controllers does not guarantee that every controller works with every Android device or that every game accepts controller input. When compatibility is uncertain, check the controller documentation and the game’s own support information. The table describes the two connection options, not a model-by-model compatibility guarantee.

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Change controller settings after connecting

Android provides controller settings after connection. Google says you can change button assignments or swap the left and right joysticks. For wireless controllers, look under Connected devices; for wired-controller settings, the route is System > Game controllers. The exact menu presentation may vary by device.

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