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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11To use a controller with Steam Link on Android, install the app, connect your phone or tablet and Steam-running computer to the same network, then pair a wireless controller through Android’s Bluetooth settings. Valve officially lists several specific controllers—not every controller in a product family—so check the exact model and Android version before troubleshooting. The steps below cover setup, the supported models, the special case of the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller, and what to try when Bluetooth pairing fails.
What you need before you start
- An Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or newer. Valve specifies Android 9.0 or newer for the DualShock 4.
- A computer that is on, connected to the network, and running Steam.
- The Steam Link app installed on the Android device.
- A compatible controller. Wireless controllers need to be paired with Android; a phone-mounted controller such as the Razer Kishi also needs to fit your device.
Valve recommends a 5 GHz wireless router. The phone or tablet should be on the same network as the host computer. See Valve’s Steam Link App for Android setup and support page for its requirements and setup guidance. The host must be awake and Steam must be running: installing the phone app and pairing a controller do not replace those host-side requirements.
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Before you begin, check the controller’s exact name or model rather than relying only on its brand. Valve’s list names the Xbox One S controller, for example, not every Xbox controller. Also check whether the controller is charged and whether it is currently connected to another device. These quick checks help separate a power or Bluetooth problem from a Steam Link compatibility question.
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Set up Steam Link and connect a controller
- Start the host computer. Open Steam and sign in. Leave the computer on while you use Steam Link.
- Connect your Android device to the host’s network. Valve’s setup guidance says to ensure the phone is connected to the same network as the host PC. A 5 GHz wireless router is recommended.
- Install and open Steam Link. Follow the app’s on-screen instructions to find and connect to the host computer. Use the app’s prompts rather than assuming that pairing a controller alone connects the phone to the computer.
- Pair a wireless controller with Android. Open Android’s Bluetooth settings, put the controller into its own pairing or discovery mode, and select it when it appears. The button sequence varies by controller; use its model-specific procedure.
- Return to Steam Link and test the controls. Start or resume a stream and check that the game responds to the controller. If the controller was already paired before setup, verify that Android still shows it as connected.
Valve’s exact network instruction is: “Ensure your phone is connected to the same network as your host PC.” Treat that as a prerequisite, not an optional suggestion. If Steam Link cannot find the computer, check that Steam is open on the host and that both devices are on the same network before focusing on controller settings.
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Pairing and streaming are separate parts of setup. The controller is paired to the Android device through Android’s Bluetooth settings; Steam Link then connects the device to the host computer. If the controller appears as connected in Android but the game does not respond, return to the app and check the stream and host connection as well as the controller pairing.
Which controllers does Valve list as supported?
Valve’s Android Steam Link documentation names the following input devices. That list is model-specific: the Xbox entry is the Xbox One S controller, not a blanket statement that all Xbox controllers work. Other devices may work, but Valve does not officially list every model.
| Controller | Valve’s Android Steam Link status | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Controller | Listed as supported | The discontinued 2015 model needs BLE firmware for Steam Link app use; see the special procedure below. |
| Microsoft Xbox One S Controller | Listed as supported | Confirm that the exact controller is the Bluetooth-capable model you intend to use. |
| Sony DualShock 4 | Listed for Android 9.0 and higher | Check the Android version before attempting to pair it. |
| Razer Kishi | Listed as supported | Check the exact variant and whether it physically fits your Android phone. |
| Razer Raiju Mobile | Listed as supported | Confirm the exact model and its current availability. |
| Other controllers | May work, but are not all officially listed | Compatibility can depend on the controller model, Android version, and device. |
These compatibility notes come from Valve’s Android Steam Link support page. If you already own a controller, try it before buying another; for an unlisted model, successful Bluetooth pairing alone does not guarantee Steam Link compatibility. The support list is a more reliable starting point than assuming that a controller will work because it connects to Android or belongs to a familiar product family.
If you are comparing controllers, use four questions: Does Valve name this exact model as supported on Android? Does it use Bluetooth pairing, or does it require a special firmware step? Does your Android version meet any stated minimum? If it mounts directly to the phone, does the exact variant fit your device? Those questions distinguish the listed Xbox One S and DualShock 4 models from unlisted alternatives, and separate ordinary Bluetooth setup from the older Steam Controller’s BLE procedure.
The Xbox One S Bluetooth controller is a straightforward candidate if you are shopping specifically for a Valve-listed Bluetooth controller. Verify the exact model and Bluetooth support before purchasing; this recommendation should not be read as covering every Xbox controller. The Razer Kishi is another listed option for someone who prefers a phone-mounted accessory, but check the exact variant and phone fit first. Valve’s official guidance does not establish current prices, stock, or affiliate availability, so compare those details at the retailer rather than relying on an assumed price or product link.
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Pairing the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller
The 2015 Steam Controller has a special requirement: Valve says its Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) firmware is needed to use it with the Steam Link app. This is not the same as simply using a generic Bluetooth pairing procedure. Valve’s Steam Controller (2015) BLE instructions document this firmware update and pairing process. Valve describes the feature as required to use the Steam Link app, while noting that it may also help in other use cases.
- Use a Windows computer to update the controller. Download and run Valve’s BLE firmware update tool as described in its instructions. The update step is specific to the 2015 controller; do not skip it and expect the normal Bluetooth process to be equivalent.
- Put the controller into Bluetooth discovery mode. For this 2015 model, Valve’s pairing chord is Y plus the Steam button. This is a model-specific pairing chord, not a general Steam Controller instruction.
- Select the controller in Android Bluetooth settings. Once it appears among discoverable devices, choose it to pair.
- Reconnect to Steam Link and test input. Return to the app and verify the controller responds during a stream.
Do not apply this 2015 controller’s button combination to other controllers or to the newer Steam Controller. Valve publishes separate guidance for the newer model; the BLE instructions above specifically concern the discontinued 2015 device. If you have a Steam Controller and are unsure which version you own, identify the exact model before following the firmware or pairing steps.
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Fix common Bluetooth pairing problems
The controller does not appear
- Make sure the controller is actually in pairing or discovery mode, not merely powered on.
- Check Android’s Bluetooth device list and wait a few seconds for discoverable devices to appear.
- Check the controller’s charge or batteries before trying again.
- Confirm that the exact controller model supports Bluetooth if you expect to pair it wirelessly.
Valve’s Steam Link Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance covers devices that do not appear and devices that appear but will not connect. A controller that is powered on is not necessarily advertising itself for discovery. Put it into the correct mode for that model, then check Android’s Bluetooth list again after a few seconds.
The controller appears but will not connect
- Charge the controller or replace its batteries.
- Check whether it can pair with another device. If it cannot, address the controller’s pairing or power issue first.
- In Android Bluetooth settings, forget or remove the old controller pairing.
- Put the controller back into pairing mode and try connecting again.
Removing an old pairing and starting discovery again is useful when Android can see the controller but does not complete the connection. If the controller is already paired to another device, check that situation before retrying. Keep the troubleshooting sequence simple: confirm power, test whether the controller can pair elsewhere, clear the prior Android pairing, and then repeat the model-specific discovery step.
Pairing a DualShock 4
Valve’s Steam Link help procedure for PS4 controller pairing says to hold the PS and Share buttons until the controller flashes, select “Wireless Controller” from the Bluetooth device list, and press A to pair. This is Valve’s general Steam Link procedure; Android’s interface or behavior can vary by device. If the controller will not connect, first check that Android is version 9.0 or newer, the minimum Valve specifies for DualShock 4 support.
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See Valve’s Steam Link PS4 controller pairing instructions. Keep the Android version caveat alongside this recommendation: the fact that a DualShock 4 is visible in Bluetooth settings does not remove Valve’s stated Android 9.0 minimum for Android Steam Link support.
The controller pairs but does not work in the stream
- Check that Steam Link is connected to the intended host computer and that Steam is running there.
- Verify the controller is still connected to Android, rather than to another device it was previously paired with.
- Check the Android version and exact controller model against Valve’s supported-device list. Unlisted devices may work, but support is not guaranteed.
- If you are using the 2015 Steam Controller, verify that its BLE firmware update was completed.
Pairing success is only one checkpoint. If Android lists the controller as connected but there is no input in the stream, check the host and Steam Link connection, confirm the connection has not switched back to another paired device, and compare the controller’s exact model with Valve’s list. For an unlisted controller, the result may depend on the controller, Android version, and device, so avoid treating a successful Bluetooth connection as proof of official Steam Link support.
Choose a controller based on fit and pairing needs
For a controller you already own, start by checking whether Valve names that exact model and whether it can pair with your Android device. For a new choice, consider both connection method and physical fit: a phone-mounted controller must fit the phone, while a wireless Bluetooth controller needs a reliable pairing procedure. Keep Android version requirements in view, especially for the DualShock 4.
Valve’s compatibility and setup details are documented on its Steam Link Android support page; the 2015 Steam Controller’s distinct firmware requirement is covered in its BLE FAQ. In practical terms, prioritize an exact Valve-listed model if certainty is important; treat an unlisted controller as something to test rather than assume supported. For a phone-mounted choice, confirm phone fit before buying. For the older Steam Controller, account for the Windows BLE firmware update and its special pairing chord. The official guidance supplies compatibility and setup requirements, not a comparative price list or a universal guarantee for every Android device.
Quick checklist before you stream
- Android is at least 5.0; if using a DualShock 4, it is at least 9.0.
- The host computer is on, Steam is running, and the host is signed in.
- The phone or tablet and host PC are on the same network; Valve recommends a 5 GHz wireless router.
- The controller is the exact model you intend to use, is charged, and is in its proper pairing mode.
- Bluetooth pairing is complete in Android settings, and you have returned to Steam Link to test the stream.
- If using the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller, its BLE firmware update has been completed using Valve’s Windows tool.
If one item fails, work on that layer rather than changing everything at once. A missing controller calls for Bluetooth discovery and power checks. A connected controller with no in-stream input calls for checking the host connection, exact model support, Android version, and any model-specific firmware requirement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to use a controller with Steam Link on Android?
Use an Android device running Android 5.0 or newer, the Steam Link app, and a host computer that is on and running Steam. Connect the phone or tablet to the same network as the host. Pair a wireless controller in Android Bluetooth settings, then return to Steam Link and test it in the stream. Valve recommends a 5 GHz wireless router.
Which controllers does Valve officially list for Android Steam Link?
Valve lists the Steam Controller, Microsoft Xbox One S Controller, Sony DualShock 4 on Android 9.0 and higher, Razer Kishi, and Razer Raiju Mobile. Other controllers may work, but Valve does not officially list every model. Check the exact model rather than assuming every controller in a product family is supported.
Will any Xbox controller work with Steam Link on Android?
Valve’s Android support list specifically names the Xbox One S controller. It does not establish that every Xbox controller works. Confirm the exact model and Bluetooth capability before buying or troubleshooting.
Can I use a DualShock 4 with Steam Link on Android?
Valve lists the DualShock 4 for Android 9.0 and higher. Valve’s Steam Link pairing instructions say to hold PS and Share until the controller flashes, select “Wireless Controller” in Bluetooth settings, and press A to pair. Android menus or behavior may vary.
Why does my controller appear in Bluetooth but not work in Steam Link?
Bluetooth pairing does not guarantee Steam Link compatibility. Confirm that Steam Link is connected to the intended host and Steam is running, verify that the controller remains connected to Android, and check the exact model and Android version against Valve’s support list. For the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller, confirm the BLE firmware update is complete.
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How do I pair the 2015 Steam Controller with Android?
Valve requires BLE firmware for the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller to use the Steam Link app. Run Valve’s BLE firmware update tool on Windows, put the controller into Bluetooth discovery mode with the Y plus Steam button chord, then select it in Android Bluetooth settings. Do not use this sequence for other controllers or the newer Steam Controller.
What should I do if my controller will not connect?
Charge it or replace its batteries, check whether it pairs with another device, forget or remove its old pairing in Android Bluetooth settings, and try discovery again. Make sure the controller is in pairing mode, not merely powered on.
Does Valve list prices or guarantee support for other Bluetooth controllers?
The cited Valve support material lists requirements and supported models, but does not provide a price comparison or guarantee compatibility for all Bluetooth controllers. Unlisted devices may work, with results depending on the controller, Android version, and device.
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The Bottom Line
Install Steam Link on Android 5.0 or newer, keep the host PC on with Steam running, and put the phone and host on the same network. Pair a wireless controller in Android’s Bluetooth settings, then check that its exact model appears on Valve’s list. The DualShock 4 requires Android 9.0 or newer, and the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller needs Valve’s BLE firmware update before use with Steam Link.
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