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How to use your phone as an Xbox Cloud Gaming controller on TV
November 9, 2026Xbox is rolling out a preview that can turn a supported Android phone or iPhone into a temporary Cloud Gaming controller on compatible TV devices.
Xbox has begun rolling out a preview that lets a supported Android phone or iPhone act as a controller for Xbox Cloud Gaming on compatible TV devices. Xbox positions it as an option for starting a session when a physical controller is not nearby, rather than as a universal replacement for a gamepad.
The feature remains a test. Availability and support for particular games or devices may be limited while Xbox gathers feedback. The preview is rolling out in countries where Xbox Cloud Gaming is supported, but that does not make every phone, television or cloud game eligible. Xbox announced the preview on November 4, 2026.
How to use your phone as an Xbox Cloud Gaming controller on TV
The phone option must be enabled through the preview settings in the latest supported Xbox smart-TV experience:
- Open the Xbox experience on your supported TV device and go to Settings > Account.
- Turn on Preview Features, then launch a cloud game without a physical controller connected.
- When the TV presents the option for that session, choose to use your phone as the controller.
The controls then open in the phone’s browser. As Team Xbox explains, “The controls open in your phone’s browser, so you don’t need a separate controller.” Some games will have controls tailored to how they play, but Xbox has not said that every cloud game will receive a bespoke phone layout. Xbox’s announcement provides the official setup path and testing caveats.
Xbox phone-controller eligibility checklist
- A supported TV device: Xbox’s current compatibility page identifies eligible LG webOS TVs, select Samsung TVs and monitors, and select Amazon Fire TV devices. Xbox has not published a single all-inclusive model list specifically for the phone-controller preview.
- A supported Android or iOS phone: the phone runs the browser-based controls for the TV session.
- Access to the cloud game: Xbox says an active Game Pass subscription is required for most cloud games.
- A suitable internet connection: for Xbox on TV, Xbox recommends a wired connection or 5GHz Wi-Fi at 20Mbps or higher.
- Preview access: Preview Features must be enabled, and availability may still be limited during testing.
Check Xbox’s TV compatibility and connection guidance before assuming a particular device will work. If you need something to play after enabling the feature, see our guide to new Game Pass games that support cloud play.
Phone controls are not Nano Controller cloud connect
The phone-controller preview is separate from cloud connect, another Xbox Cloud Gaming test announced at the same time. Cloud connect is a U.S.-only preview for the Xbox Nano Controller, not a mode for phones. Xbox says the Nano Controller can use Wi-Fi to connect directly to the cloud server running the game, which can help reduce latency; Xbox has not supplied a universal measured improvement.
In practical terms, the phone preview provides a temporary controller option on a compatible TV device. Cloud connect requires the Nano Controller and is limited to its U.S. preview. Neither announcement promises support for every game or device, and Xbox has not announced when either test will receive wider availability. Xbox’s official announcement covers both previews.
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