You can save one Xbox Wireless connection and one Bluetooth connection on a Bluetooth-capable Xbox Series X|S controller, then switch between them. It is not a multi-device hub: you cannot expect one controller to switch instantly among several Bluetooth devices, such as a PC, iPhone and tablet. For the usual console-and-phone or console-and-PC setup, pair each host once, then use the Pair-button shortcut.
What “multiple devices” means
The controller has two distinct wireless paths: Xbox Wireless for an Xbox console or the official Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows, and Bluetooth for a compatible PC, phone or tablet. The practical quick-switch setup is one saved Xbox Wireless host plus one saved Bluetooth host—not several simultaneous connections or a list of Bluetooth devices ready for instant switching. Microsoft describes quick pairing and switching among supported devices, but does not claim unlimited Bluetooth pairing storage (Microsoft Store: Xbox Wireless Controller).
- Switching: Move between one remembered Xbox Wireless host and one remembered Bluetooth host.
- Pairing over time: You can pair with other devices, but pairing another Bluetooth host may displace the Bluetooth host used for quick switching.
- Simultaneous use: The controller does not send input to several hosts at once.
- Several controllers: Pairing multiple controllers to one Xbox or PC is a separate setup; it does not expand the number of devices a single controller can switch between.
Before you start
- Use a Bluetooth-capable Xbox Series X|S-era controller. Microsoft lists the current Xbox Wireless Controller for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Android and iOS, though support can vary by device, OS and game (Xbox Wireless Controller product page).
- Charge the controller or keep a data-capable USB-C cable handy. USB-C can support wired play and troubleshooting; a charge-only cable will not serve for data tasks.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the PC or mobile device you plan to pair.
- Find the small Pair button on the controller’s top edge near the USB-C port.
- Install available controller firmware updates when practical. Xbox Accessories on Xbox or Windows is Microsoft’s customization and firmware route (Xbox Support: Xbox Accessories).
Do not assume every older Xbox One controller has Bluetooth or the same switching behavior. Older models can still connect to an Xbox, by USB, or with an Xbox Wireless Adapter, but the Bluetooth steps below apply to Bluetooth-capable models.
Connect the controller to an Xbox Series X|S
- Turn on the Xbox console.
- Press the controller’s Xbox button to turn it on.
- Press and hold the controller’s Pair button until the Xbox button flashes.
- Press the console’s Pair button.
- Wait for the controller’s Xbox button to stop flashing and remain lit, then test it on the dashboard.
This is the controller’s Xbox Wireless connection, not Bluetooth. Pairing it with another Xbox can replace the saved Xbox Wireless host. For additional help, see Xbox Support’s wireless controller troubleshooting page.
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Connect it to a Windows PC
Bluetooth
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select Add device > Bluetooth.
- Turn on the controller, then hold its Pair button until the Xbox button flashes rapidly.
- Select Xbox Wireless Controller in Windows’ device list and wait for the connected status.
- Test input in a game or Windows’ controller test panel.
Bluetooth is convenient when the PC has compatible Bluetooth hardware. Microsoft also lists USB-C and the Xbox Wireless Adapter as PC connection options (Xbox Design Lab controller connection options). For the official PC setup route, see Xbox Support: connect a controller to PC.
Xbox Wireless Adapter
If you use the official Xbox Wireless Adapter, pair the adapter and controller using their pairing buttons. The adapter provides the Xbox Wireless side of the saved-connection workflow; it is not another Bluetooth pairing. It can be useful when a PC lacks Bluetooth or when you need Xbox Wireless features or accessory behavior that Bluetooth may not provide. A generic Bluetooth dongle is not equivalent to the Xbox Wireless Adapter.
USB-C
Connect the controller to the PC with a USB-C data cable for wired play or troubleshooting. Microsoft’s USB guidance is at Xbox Support: USB port use. USB is a wired option, not an extra wireless device slot.
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Connect it to Android
- Open Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device, or the equivalent Bluetooth screen on your Android version.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Turn on the controller and hold the Pair button until the Xbox button flashes quickly.
- Select Xbox Wireless Controller and approve pairing if prompted.
- Open a controller-compatible game or cloud-gaming app and test the controls.
Android menu names differ by manufacturer and version; Settings > Bluetooth is another common route. Bluetooth compatibility does not guarantee that every game or app accepts controller input.
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Connect it to iPhone or iPad
- Open Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
- Turn on the controller, then hold its Pair button until the Xbox button flashes.
- Under Other Devices, tap Xbox Wireless Controller.
- Wait for it to appear under My Devices as connected.
- Test it in a controller-compatible game or supported cloud-gaming service.
Microsoft lists iOS support for the controller (Xbox Wireless Controller compatibility). A successful Bluetooth pairing does not mean every iPhone or iPad game supports controllers.
Switch between the saved Xbox and Bluetooth connections
Once the controller has an Xbox Wireless host and a Bluetooth host saved, wake it with the Xbox button and double-press the Pair button to switch between those connection types. The Xbox button may flash during the change and should settle when the connection is established. The shortcut is commonly documented for compatible Bluetooth-capable Xbox One and Series-era controllers; Microsoft’s product page confirms device switching but does not specify every revision’s button behavior (Xbox Wireless Controller overview). Keep firmware current, and use manual selection if the shortcut does not connect to the intended host.
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Pressing the Xbox button alone turns on the controller; it does not necessarily change the saved connection. If the target host does not reconnect, open that host’s Bluetooth or device menu and select the controller, or re-pair it using the steps above.
Can it switch between two Bluetooth devices?
Do not count on two Bluetooth devices being available as quick-switch targets. Treat the controller as remembering one Bluetooth host for this workflow. If you want to move it from one phone or tablet to another, disable Bluetooth on the previous host, remove any stale controller entry on the new host if needed, and pair again. That may replace the previous Bluetooth pairing used for quick switching.
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Fix pairing and switching problems
It connects to the wrong device
The other saved connection may be active, or the previous host may be reconnecting. Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on the unwanted device or power down the console, turn the controller off and back on, then try the Pair-button shortcut. If it still goes to the wrong host, manually select the controller on the intended device.
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A second phone or tablet will not pair
- Disable Bluetooth on the previous phone or tablet so it cannot reconnect.
- On the new device, forget any stale Xbox Wireless Controller entry.
- Put the controller into pairing mode by holding its Pair button until the Xbox button flashes.
- Select the controller from the new device’s Bluetooth list and test it.
Replacing the Bluetooth pairing can remove the earlier phone or tablet from the quick-switch workflow.
The Xbox button keeps flashing
Flashing without a steady connection can mean the intended host is out of range, Bluetooth is off, the controller is still connecting elsewhere, the battery is low, or the host’s wireless hardware or drivers are unstable. Power-cycle the controller and host, remove the controller from the host’s device list, and pair again. If wireless pairing still fails, connect by USB-C and update firmware with Xbox Accessories; try the official Xbox Wireless Adapter on Windows if Bluetooth remains unreliable.
Windows sees the controller, but a game does not
Check whether the game supports controller input, whether the controller appears in Windows’ game-controller test panel, and whether Steam Input or another remapping tool is intercepting input. Restart the game after pairing and check which device is assigned as Player 1. A Windows connected status proves the Bluetooth link, not that every game supports the controller.
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The controller works but a headset or accessory does not
Bluetooth and Xbox Wireless do not expose identical accessory features. A 3.5 mm headset or another controller accessory may behave differently by connection method; the official Xbox Wireless Adapter may be preferable on Windows when accessory support matters. See Microsoft’s connection options on the controller product page.
The connection drops repeatedly
- Move closer to the host and reduce competing wireless connections.
- Recharge or replace the controller’s batteries.
- On Windows, check Bluetooth power-saving settings and update the adapter’s driver.
- Update controller firmware through Xbox Accessories.
- Test over USB-C to distinguish wireless trouble from a controller fault; on Windows, try the Xbox Wireless Adapter if Bluetooth remains unstable.
Choose Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless or USB-C
| Connection | Best for | What you need | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Phones, tablets and PCs with compatible Bluetooth; convenient casual or cloud gaming | Bluetooth on the host | One Bluetooth host for practical quick switching; game and accessory support vary |
| Xbox Wireless | Xbox consoles and Windows PCs using the official adapter | Console radio or official Xbox Wireless Adapter | Adapter is extra hardware; it is not a generic Bluetooth dongle |
| USB-C | Wired play, firmware updates and diagnosing wireless faults | Data-capable USB-C cable | Tethered play; adds no wireless pairing slot |
For a PC with reliable Bluetooth and basic controller needs, no extra hardware is required. If Bluetooth is unavailable or unreliable, consider the official Xbox Wireless Adapter; for firmware work and diagnosis, use a data-capable USB-C cable. If you regularly move among several Bluetooth hosts, a second controller is a more practical answer than expecting one controller to retain several instant-switch Bluetooth targets.
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