Google’s Stadia app new bridge mode lets your phone and connected accessories as controller

Today, there is only one official way to run Google’s Stadia Game streaming service on your 4K TV – the last-generation Chromecast Ultra Wi-Fi connected to the company’s owned Stadia Controller.

This is because Google has not yet brought the stadium to the new and better $50 Chromecast, and its predecessor did not support Bluetooth, meaning that the only way to add a controller is to loop through Google servers in the cloud.

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According to 9to5Goolge, the latest version of the Stadia app on Android hides a new “bridge mode” that allows you to send controller signals from your phone – allowing you to play Stadia with your phone’s touchscreen or connect any other gamepad on your phone. As per the text snippet buried in the APK, you can use your phone to change your TV volume.

The original Stadia controller has been a thorn in the side of the company since it was launched by Stadia on November 19, 2019, so it should come as no surprise if Google decides to move it.

Google’s wireless controller can take months for buyers to purchase anything other than Chromecast Ultra – desktop web browsers and Android phones, meaning you have a physical connection to a USB-C cable. USB-C audio took some time and Bluetooth audio is still physical through the controller.

Thankfully, third-party controller support is very strong on those other platforms, allowing you to easily sync the PlayStation or Xbox gamepad, and when it does, you need to play the stadium in Chromecast 2020 This new bridge mode is required. The new Chromecast supports Bluetooth game controllers. Given some SteamLink and GeForce Now sessions with my 8-bit gamepad, Bluetooth gamepad support works well.