Xbox Tests Phone and Wi-Fi Controls for Cloud Gaming

Microsoft is testing two new ways to control games streamed through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Players using select smart TVs can turn a phone into a controller, while users in the United States can try connecting the Xbox Nano controller directly to the service over Wi-Fi.

The phone-control feature runs through a browser interface, so players do not need to install a separate controller app. Some games offer layouts tailored to phone controls. To enable the preview, users can open the Cloud Gaming settings on a supported TV and switch on preview features in the account section.

The Nano’s Wi-Fi connection is intended to reduce the delay between pressing a control and seeing the result in a game. Players must first set up the controller with Microsoft’s Android beta software or the PC edition of its accessories utility, then connect it to Wi-Fi. On PC, testing requires membership in the Xbox Insider program. The Wi-Fi option currently works with Cloud Gaming on smart TVs and the web.

Microsoft cautioned that both options remain in testing and that access, compatible devices and supported games may be restricted. The phone feature may suit games with less demanding controls, while the direct connection aims to make gameplay feel more responsive.