Xbox Lets Players Use Phones as Controllers on Smart TVs

Microsoft is introducing two new ways to control games through Xbox Cloud Gaming, making it easier for players to enjoy streamed games without relying exclusively on traditional wireless controllers. The first feature allows users to turn an Android smartphone or iPhone into a virtual gamepad when playing on supported smart TVs. The second introduces direct Wi-Fi connectivity for Microsoft’s new Xbox Nano Controller, allowing it to communicate with the cloud gaming server instead of connecting to the television through Bluetooth.

Announced on November 4, 2026, both features are currently available in preview, with Microsoft collecting feedback before a wider rollout. The smartphone controller option is rolling out in countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported, while the Nano Controller’s new cloud-connect functionality is initially limited to players in the United States. The changes are part of Microsoft’s broader effort to make cloud gaming more accessible and improve the responsiveness of streamed games.

Xbox Turns Smartphones Into Virtual Game Controllers

The biggest change for casual players is the ability to use a smartphone as a controller when streaming Xbox games to a compatible smart TV.

Previously, players generally needed a compatible physical controller to interact with games running through Xbox Cloud Gaming on a television. Microsoft’s new preview removes that requirement for supported games and devices.

Instead of purchasing or connecting a separate gamepad, users can access virtual controls through their smartphone’s web browser. The game continues running on the television, while the phone provides the buttons and controls needed to play.

Microsoft says the feature supports both Android and iOS devices. Some games will also receive customized touch-control layouts designed around their specific gameplay mechanics.

This could be particularly useful for households where several people want to try a game but do not have enough physical controllers available.

How to use a phone as an Xbox controller

Microsoft has kept the setup relatively straightforward.

Users need to enable Preview Features in the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience on a supported smart TV.

The process involves the following steps:

1. Open the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience on a supported smart TV.
2. Navigate to Settings and select Account.
3. Enable Preview Features.
4. Launch a supported game without a physical controller connected.
5. Select the option to use a phone as the controller.
6. Scan the QR code displayed on the television and follow the instructions on the smartphone.

The virtual gamepad then opens in the phone’s browser, allowing users to control the game while watching the action on their television.

There is no requirement to download a separate controller application for this feature.

Xbox Nano Controller Gets Direct Wi-Fi Connectivity

Microsoft’s second announcement focuses on improving the connection between physical controllers and cloud gaming sessions.

The new Xbox Nano Controller can use a feature called cloud connect, which allows it to communicate directly with the cloud server running the game over Wi-Fi.

Traditional wireless controllers generally connect to a television or another local device through Bluetooth. The television then communicates with Microsoft’s cloud gaming service over the internet.

Cloud connect changes this arrangement by allowing the controller to send its inputs directly through the Wi-Fi network to the cloud gaming server.

Microsoft believes this approach can reduce input latency and make gameplay feel more responsive.

Why direct Wi-Fi connectivity matters

Latency is one of the biggest challenges facing cloud gaming.

Unlike traditional console gaming, where the game runs locally, cloud gaming involves several steps. A player’s input travels across the internet to a remote server, the server processes the action, and the resulting video is streamed back to the screen.

Every additional delay can affect how responsive a game feels.

When a controller connects to a television through Bluetooth, its input must first travel through that local connection before reaching the cloud service. Direct Wi-Fi connectivity is designed to simplify this route.

By connecting to the cloud gaming session directly, the Nano Controller could reduce some of the delay associated with local controller-to-TV communication.

However, this does not eliminate internet latency. Network quality, distance from Microsoft’s servers and other technical factors will continue to influence performance.

Xbox Nano Cloud Connect Is Initially Limited to the US

Unlike the smartphone controller preview, Microsoft’s direct Wi-Fi feature has a narrower initial rollout.

Players in the United States can test cloud connect with the Xbox Nano Controller on supported smart TVs and through the web.

Setting up the feature requires the Xbox beta app on Android or the Xbox Accessories application on a PC. Users must configure the controller, connect it to their Wi-Fi network and sign in to Xbox Cloud Gaming using the same Xbox account used during setup.

For PC-based configuration, enrollment in the Xbox Insider program is required.

Microsoft has not announced a wider international rollout date for the Nano Controller’s cloud-connect functionality.

The company also cautions that the feature does not currently work with every Xbox Cloud Gaming experience.

Both Features Are Still in Testing

Microsoft has emphasized that the two controller experiences remain experimental.

Availability depends on supported devices, games and regional access to Xbox Cloud Gaming. This means users may not see the new options even if they have an otherwise compatible smartphone or television.

The company is using the preview period to collect feedback and identify technical issues before deciding how the features should develop.

The smartphone option is particularly interesting because touchscreen controls are not equally suitable for every game.

Turn-based games, casual titles and simpler experiences may work well with virtual buttons. Fast-paced action games, racing titles and competitive shooters can be more difficult to play on a touchscreen because they often require precise movement and several simultaneous inputs.

Customized controls for individual games could help address some of these limitations, but physical controllers will remain preferable for many players.

What the Changes Mean for Xbox Cloud Gaming

The two announcements address different barriers to cloud gaming.

The smartphone controller option reduces the need to own additional hardware. Someone with a supported television and smartphone can potentially start playing without purchasing a dedicated gamepad.

The Nano Controller’s cloud-connect feature, meanwhile, focuses on improving the experience for people who already prefer physical controls.

Together, they show Microsoft’s interest in making cloud gaming work across different types of devices and playing environments.

This strategy matters because cloud gaming allows players to access games without purchasing an expensive console or downloading large game files. The processing takes place on remote servers, while compatible televisions, computers and mobile devices handle the streamed video and player input.

Reducing hardware requirements and improving responsiveness could make the service more attractive to casual players who do not want to invest in a traditional gaming setup.

The Bigger Picture

Cloud gaming companies are increasingly competing to make gaming accessible through devices consumers already own. Smart TVs are particularly important because they offer a large screen without requiring a separate console or gaming computer.

Microsoft’s latest features also reflect a broader shift toward flexible input methods. Smartphones can serve as controllers, while dedicated gamepads are evolving to communicate more directly with cloud infrastructure.

However, convenience alone will not determine the future of cloud gaming. Streaming quality, game availability, subscription costs, network performance and input responsiveness will remain important factors in whether players adopt these services.

Looking Ahead

Microsoft is expected to use feedback from the current preview to improve both controller experiences. Wider device compatibility, support for more games and an international expansion of the Nano Controller’s cloud-connect feature will be important developments to watch. The company has not provided a confirmed timeline for making either feature generally available.

If the technology performs reliably, smartphone-based controls could make Xbox Cloud Gaming more accessible to households that do not own dedicated controllers. Direct Wi-Fi connectivity could also help address one of cloud gaming’s persistent challenges: input delay. Together, the features move Xbox closer to a gaming experience that can be accessed through a television, a phone and an internet connection, with less dependence on traditional console hardware.