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Install Steam Link on your Android phone or tablet, connect it to the same network as the PC running Steam, and follow the app’s setup prompts. Pair a wireless controller in Android’s Bluetooth settings, then return to Steam Link and test it in the stream. Valve lists several supported controllers, but compatibility depends on the exact model; its Android support page specifically names the Xbox One S controller and requires Android 9.0 or later for the DualShock 4.
What you need before you start
- An Android phone or tablet running Android 5.0 or newer.
- A host computer that is turned on, connected to your network, and running Steam with you signed in.
- The Steam Link app on your Android device.
- A controller that can connect to the Android device, either over Bluetooth or through a compatible physical connection.
Valve recommends using a 5 GHz wireless router. The Android device should be on the same network as the host PC; Valve’s setup page says, “Ensure your phone is connected to the same network as your host PC.” See Valve’s Steam Link App for Android instructions for the app requirements and getting-started guidance.
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It helps to think of this as two connections that must both work. Steam Link connects the Android device to the computer running Steam, while the controller connects to the Android device for input. Pairing the controller with the phone does not, by itself, find or connect to the host computer; likewise, connecting Steam Link to the host does not automatically pair an unconnected controller. Complete both parts, then test input in the stream.
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Before setup, identify the controller’s exact model and how it connects. Valve’s support list is model-specific, and some familiar product families contain different versions. A wireless controller also needs to be put into its own Bluetooth discovery or pairing mode; turning it on is not necessarily enough. For the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller, there is an additional BLE firmware step described below.
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Connect a controller to Steam Link
- Start the host. Turn on the computer you want to stream from, open Steam, and sign in. Keep Steam running while you set up the Android device.
- Check the network. Connect the phone or tablet to the same network as the host PC. Valve recommends a 5 GHz wireless router. If the app cannot find the host, confirm this shared-network requirement before investigating controller pairing.
- Open Steam Link. Install and launch the app on Android, then follow its on-screen instructions to find and connect to the computer. The app’s prompts guide the initial connection.
- Pair the controller with Android. For a Bluetooth controller, open the Android device’s Bluetooth settings, put the controller into its model-specific pairing mode, and select it when it appears in the available-device list. Android wording and menus can vary, so follow the controller’s own pairing directions as well.
- Return to the stream and test input. Open or resume the Steam Link stream and try the controller. If it paired in Android settings but does not work in the stream, check model support, OS requirements, and whether it is still connected to another device.
These steps separate discovery of the host from discovery of the controller. If Steam Link cannot connect to the PC, revisit the host and network steps; if the host connects but the controller is missing, start with Android Bluetooth settings and the controller’s pairing mode.
Valve’s Android Steam Link documentation gives the startup requirements and controller list. It does not promise that every controller that pairs with Android will work perfectly in Steam Link. An unlisted model may work, but treat that as a possibility rather than confirmed support.
Which controllers does Valve list as supported?
Valve’s Android Steam Link page names the following controllers. Check the precise model rather than assuming that support for one controller in a family applies to every version. The important comparisons are the exact model Valve lists, its connection or firmware procedure, any Android version threshold, and—if the controller mounts to the phone—whether the particular version fits your handset.
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|---|---|---|
| Steam Controller | Supported | The discontinued 2015 model needs a BLE firmware update for Steam Link app use; see the separate procedure below. |
| Microsoft Xbox One S Controller | Supported | Confirm that yours is the Xbox One S Bluetooth-capable model. The listing does not establish compatibility for every Xbox controller. |
| Sony DualShock 4 | Supported with Android 9.0 or newer | Keep the Android version requirement in mind when pairing or troubleshooting. |
| Razer Kishi | Supported | Check the exact variant and whether it physically fits your Android phone. |
| Razer Raiju Mobile | Supported | Confirm the exact model. |
| Other controllers | May work, but are not all officially listed | Results can vary with the controller model, Android version, and device. |
These are Valve’s stated Android support details, not a guarantee that every device in a product family will pair or behave identically. Consult the official Android controller list if you are checking a model before setup.
If you already own a controller, check its model before buying another one. The Xbox One S Bluetooth controller is a clear match to Valve’s listed Xbox option, but verify that the particular unit is the Bluetooth-capable Xbox One S version. Do not infer that an Xbox controller with a different name or revision is covered by that listing. Razer Kishi is another named option, but because it is a physical phone-mounted controller, verify both its exact variant and your phone’s fit before choosing it. Valve’s listing does not provide a price comparison or guarantee current availability for either accessory.
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The list also makes the Android version distinction important: Android 5.0 or newer is the general Steam Link app requirement, while Valve’s Android controller list specifically sets Android 9.0 or newer for DualShock 4. Meeting the app minimum therefore does not automatically mean that every listed controller is eligible on that same Android version.
Pair the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller
The 2015 Steam Controller requires Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) firmware to work with the Steam Link app. This is not the same as simply using the generic Bluetooth pairing steps for a controller that already supports Bluetooth. Valve provides a Windows BLE firmware update tool and a specific pairing sequence in its Steam Controller (2015) BLE instructions.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute- On a Windows computer, download and run Valve’s BLE firmware update tool using the steps on the support page. Do this firmware step before attempting to pair the controller with the Android device for Steam Link use.
- After the firmware update, put the controller into Bluetooth discovery mode by holding Y plus the Steam button.
- On the Android device, open Bluetooth settings, find the controller in the available-device list, and select it to pair. If it does not appear, check that you have entered the specified discovery mode rather than using a generic power-on sequence.
- Open Steam Link and test the controller in the stream.
Valve says the BLE feature is required for Steam Link app use: “This feature is required to enjoy the Steam Link app, but may provide benefit in other use cases as well.” The wording is from Valve’s support guidance, not a statement from an individual speaker.
Do not apply the 2015 controller’s Y-plus-Steam sequence to other controllers or to the newer 2026 Steam Controller; Valve has separate guidance for that newer model. The firmware requirement and button chord here are specific to the discontinued 2015 device. If you own a different Steam Controller, confirm which model you have and use the instructions for that model rather than assuming these steps apply.
Fix common Bluetooth pairing problems
The controller does not appear
- Confirm that the controller is actually in Bluetooth pairing or discovery mode; merely turning it on may not make it discoverable.
- Check the Android device’s Bluetooth settings for available devices. Valve says a discoverable device should appear after a few seconds.
- Check the controller’s own pairing instructions, since the sequence varies by model.
- For the 2015 Steam Controller, confirm that you completed the BLE firmware procedure and are using its Y-plus-Steam discovery chord. Its pairing path is different from the generic procedure.
If the controller is absent from Android’s available-device list, the immediate issue is discovery between the controller and phone, not whether Steam Link has found the host. Make sure the controller is in pairing mode, wait a few seconds, and check the list again. If you are not sure which button sequence applies, use the maker’s instructions for the exact model rather than copying a sequence for another controller.
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The controller appears but will not connect
- Charge the controller or replace its batteries.
- Check whether it can pair with another device. If it is still connected elsewhere, disconnect or unpair it there.
- In Android Bluetooth settings, forget the old controller pairing.
- Put the controller back into pairing mode and start the pairing process again.
These are the first recovery steps in Valve’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance. An old saved pairing can get in the way of a fresh attempt, so remove it from Android before trying discovery again. If it still will not connect, test whether the controller pairs with another device and confirm that it has charge; those checks help distinguish a phone-side saved-pairing problem from a controller that is not connecting elsewhere either.
Valve’s Steam Link Bluetooth troubleshooting covers devices that do not appear or that appear but will not connect.
Pairing a DualShock 4
Valve’s Steam Link PS4-controller help procedure says to hold the PS and Share buttons until the controller flashes, select “Wireless Controller” in the Bluetooth device list, and press A to pair. This is Valve’s general Steam Link help guidance; Android menu wording and behavior may differ. Confirm that the Android device is running version 9.0 or later, as required for DualShock 4 in Valve’s Android controller listing. See Valve’s PS4 controller pairing instructions.
Use this sequence only for the DualShock 4 procedure Valve describes. It is not a universal Bluetooth pairing shortcut. The controller flashing is the sign that it has entered the pairing process; then choose the listed “Wireless Controller” entry on Android. If your Android screen uses different wording or behaves differently, follow the phone’s Bluetooth interface and Valve’s caveat that its help procedure is general guidance.
It still will not work in the stream
- Recheck the exact controller model against Valve’s Android list; support for one variant does not prove support for every model in a family.
- Check the Android version, especially for a DualShock 4.
- Check whether the controller needs a firmware update or special pairing procedure, as the 2015 Steam Controller does.
- Make sure the controller is connected to the Android device rather than remaining paired to another device.
- Return to Steam Link and test input again after pairing; pairing in Android settings alone does not confirm that the chosen controller works in the stream.
If Steam Link has connected to the PC but the controls do not respond, revisit the list in this order: confirm the controller is paired to Android, check its exact model against Valve’s supported list, check any model-specific Android requirement, and make sure you followed any special firmware or pairing procedure. For an unlisted controller, Valve says other devices may work but does not officially list every model, so successful Bluetooth pairing should not be treated as an official compatibility guarantee.
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Choose a controller for your setup
If you already own a controller, first check whether Valve lists that exact model and whether it can pair with your Android device. If you are choosing one, these distinctions help avoid common mismatches:
- Official listing: Valve names the Xbox One S controller, not all Xbox controllers. Verify the model and Bluetooth capability.
- Android requirement: Valve specifies Android 9.0 or newer for the DualShock 4; the general Steam Link app requirement is Android 5.0 or newer.
- Special firmware: The 2015 Steam Controller needs BLE firmware and a distinct discovery-mode button combination.
- Phone fit: For a phone-mounted controller such as the Razer Kishi, check the exact variant and handset fit in addition to compatibility.
- Unlisted devices: Valve says other devices may work, but does not officially list every controller. Treat that as possible compatibility, not a guarantee.
In practical terms, an already-owned controller that Valve explicitly lists is the simplest place to start, provided your Android version and the exact hardware variant meet the relevant notes. A listed controller can still require its own pairing steps, and the 2015 Steam Controller is the clearest example of a model that needs more than ordinary Bluetooth discovery. For a phone-mounted option, physical fit is an additional selection requirement alongside app support. If the controller is not listed, you can try it, but the available documentation does not let you treat it as guaranteed or rank it against the supported models.
Valve’s Android support material describes requirements and setup rather than a price comparison, performance ranking, or measured latency claim. Check current model details and availability before purchasing; do not assume that an old product listing or a broad family name establishes the exact compatibility you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Android version do I need for Steam Link?
Valve lists Android 5.0 or newer as the general requirement for the Steam Link app. The DualShock 4 has a higher, specific requirement: Android 9.0 or newer.
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For a wireless controller, pair it with the Android phone or tablet through Android’s Bluetooth settings, then return to Steam Link and test input in the stream. Steam Link separately connects the Android device to the computer running Steam.
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Which Xbox controller works with Steam Link on Android?
Valve explicitly lists the Microsoft Xbox One S Controller. Check the exact model and Bluetooth capability; that listing does not establish support for every Xbox controller.
Why is my controller not showing up in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure it is in its model-specific pairing or discovery mode, then check Android’s available-device list; Valve says a discoverable device should appear after a few seconds. For the 2015 Steam Controller, complete its BLE firmware procedure and use the Y-plus-Steam discovery chord.
How do I reconnect a controller that appears but will not pair?
Charge it or replace its batteries, check whether it pairs with another device, forget the old pairing in Android Bluetooth settings, and then put it back into pairing mode and try again.
Can I use an unlisted controller?
Possibly. Valve says other devices may work, but it does not officially list every controller, so compatibility can vary with the model, Android version, and device.
Does the 2015 Steam Controller pair like a regular Bluetooth controller?
No. Valve says the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller needs BLE firmware for Steam Link app use. Its documented procedure uses Valve’s Windows firmware update tool and then Y plus Steam to enter Bluetooth discovery mode.
The Bottom Line
To use a controller with Steam Link on Android, connect the phone and Steam host to the same network, set up the host in the app, pair the controller through Android if it is wireless, and test input in the stream. Check Valve’s exact model list and Android requirements first—especially Android 9.0 or newer for DualShock 4—and use the separate BLE procedure for the discontinued 2015 Steam Controller.
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