Xbox is launching two previews for XBOX Cloud Gaming at once. On supported Smart TVs you can now use your phone as a controller when no gamepad is within reach, and players in the US can also try cloud connect with the new XBOX Nano Controller, which hooks straight into your cloud session over Wi-Fi.
Both experiences are still in testing. Availability and the list of supported games and devices may be limited while Xbox collects feedback.
Your phone as a controller on a Smart TV
Want to start a cloud game on your TV but there is no controller nearby? In this preview you can use a supported Android or iOS phone instead. The controls open directly in your phone’s browser, so you don’t need any extra hardware. Some games will also get controls tailored to how they actually play.
To try it, turn on Preview Features in Settings > Account in the latest supported Smart TV experience. When you launch a game without a physical controller connected, you’ll be offered the option to use your phone for that session.
The preview is rolling out today on supported TVs in countries where XBOX Cloud Gaming is available. You’ll find the list of verified devices in the official Xbox support pages.
Cloud connect with the XBOX Nano Controller
Players in the US can preview cloud connect with the XBOX Nano Controller starting today. Instead of pairing over Bluetooth with your TV, cloud connect uses your Wi-Fi network to connect directly to the cloud server running your game. That can cut input latency, so gameplay may feel more responsive.
Cloud connect is an early test, so it doesn’t work with every cloud gaming experience yet. For now you can try it on supported Smart TVs and on the web.
How to set it up
- Set up the controller: use the XBOX beta app on Android, or the Xbox Accessories app on PC, to enable cloud connect on your XBOX Nano Controller. Setting it up through the PC app requires XBOX Insider enrollment.
- Connect to Wi-Fi: follow the steps in the app to join your controller to your Wi-Fi network.
- Start playing: open a supported XBOX Cloud Gaming experience and sign in with the same XBOX account you used during setup. Your controller will connect through cloud connect.
Detailed instructions are in the cloud connect setup guide.
How to send feedback
Xbox is testing both experiences to find out what works and what needs fixing, and says it will use the feedback to shape future updates.
- For the phone controller on your phone: after scanning the QR code shown on the TV, tap the Xbox icon in the top-left corner and pick “Give Feedback”.
- For the phone controller on your TV: open the Guide with the XBOX button on your controller, or tap the XBOX icon in the top-left corner, and select Give Feedback. In the XBOX app’s main menu you can also click the profile icon in the top right and choose “Give Feedback”.
- For cloud connect: send feedback through the XBOX Accessories app on PC or the XBOX mobile app by selecting the “Feedback” icon.
Where to go next
Cloud gaming is part of Xbox Game Pass, whose plans and cancellation options we covered in a separate guide on canceling Game Pass. If you also play on a console and a PC, take a look at our breakdown of Xbox Play Anywhere, and you can follow further platform news in our Xbox section.
FAQ
A supported Android or iOS phone and a supported Smart TV. The controls run in your phone’s browser, so you don’t need a separate gamepad. In the TV experience you first have to turn on Preview Features under Settings > Account.
It is rolling out starting today on supported TVs in countries where XBOX Cloud Gaming is supported.
Instead of a Bluetooth connection to your TV, the XBOX Nano Controller connects over Wi-Fi directly to the cloud server running your game. That can reduce input latency and make gameplay feel more responsive.
Not yet. According to the announcement, the cloud connect preview is starting for players in the US, and it works on supported Smart TVs and on the web.
XBOX Insider enrollment is required if you set up cloud connect through the Xbox Accessories app on PC. Setup via the XBOX beta app on Android does not mention that requirement.