Xbox Cloud Gaming now lets your phone double as a controller on smart TVs

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Xbox Cloud Gaming now lets your phone double as a controller on smart TVs

Nov 5, 2026 — 2:07 AM ET

- A new Xbox Cloud Gaming preview lets you use your phone as a controller on supported smart TVs.

- It works with Android and iOS devices, and you don’t even need to download an app.

- Xbox is also previewing cloud connect for the Xbox Nano Controller in the US.

- Cloud connect lets the Xbox Nano Controller connect directly to cloud servers over Wi-Fi, which Microsoft says can help reduce input lag.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is a convenient way to play Xbox games on your smart TV without a console. But what if you don’t have a controller handy? Microsoft is now trying to fix that by letting you turn your phone into an Xbox controller.

The company has announced two new Xbox Cloud Gaming previews. The first lets you use an Android or iOS phone as a makeshift controller on supported smart TVs. You connect by scanning a QR code on your TV, and the controls open in your phone’s browser, meaning you don’t even need to download an app. What’s more, some games will feature control layouts tailored to how they play.

To try it out, open the Xbox app on your smart TV, head to Settings > Account, and turn on “Preview Features.” When you launch a game without a physical controller connected, you’ll see an option to use your phone for that session. The preview is rolling out in all regions where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported. However, you will need a compatible smart TV for the feature to work. A list of supported models is available on the Xbox support page.

Cloud connect for the Xbox Nano Controller

The second preview is aimed at players who already have a controller — specifically Microsoft’s new $49.99 Xbox Nano Controller. If you’re in the US, you can now preview cloud connect with the Xbox Nano Controller. Instead of connecting to your TV over Bluetooth, the controller connects directly over Wi-Fi to the cloud server running your game. Microsoft says this can help reduce input lag and make games feel more responsive.

To set it up, use the Xbox beta app on Android and iOS or the Xbox Accessories app on PC to connect your Xbox Nano Controller to Wi-Fi, then sign in to a supported Xbox Cloud Gaming experience with the same Xbox account. Note that setting it up through the PC app requires enrollment in the Xbox Insider program. Cloud connect is currently limited to smart TVs and the web, and it won’t work with every cloud gaming experience yet. You can find detailed instructions on the Xbox support website.

Both features are in preview, which means Microsoft is actively testing them and some things may not work as expected. It’s also unclear when (or if) Microsoft will roll these features out to everyone.