How To Use the Xbox One Controller on a Series X

You sometimes need to buy additional equipment to enjoy your Xbox X games to the fullest. Fortunately, this isn’t the case if you use the Xbox One controller. Microsoft has ensured this platform is fully compatible with your console. Connecting the two is relatively straightforward.

This article will explain how you can use an older controller for the newest-gen console.

How to Use Xbox One Controller With Series X Consoles

Here’s how to use your Xbox One controller on Xbox X wirelessly:

1. Push the synchronize button on the console. This should be the black button above your USB-A port on the back of your device.
   
2. Take your controller and press and hold the synchronize button. Like with the console, this should be a black button on top of your control between your bumper buttons.
   
3. When the logo starts blinking rapidly, stop holding the button.
   
4. Wait until the light stops blinking, and you should be able to navigate the menus with the controller you linked.
   
5. Go to your Xbox X and visit the “Home” section.
   
6. Navigate to “Profile and System” and press “Settings.”
   
7. Head to your “Account,” followed by “Sign-in.”
   
8. Enter your credentials to log into your account.
   
9. Sign in with your controller and hit the “Use Controller Instead” button.
   
10. Your controller is now fully connected to your Xbox X.

Linking a wired Xbox One controller is even simpler. Simply plug the controller into the Xbox X USB-A port and wait for the devices to pair up automatically.

How to Set Up Bluetooth on Xbox One Controller

Xbox One wireless controllers compatible with Xbox Series X and S allow you to quickly switch between a paired Bluetooth device and your Xbox console. This is a convenient feature, but you’ll need to enable Bluetooth to use it.

The first thing you should do is check if the devices you want to link via Bluetooth support this technology. For instance, here’s how to check whether your Windows platform has the necessary updates:

1. Go to your taskbar and hit your “Start” button.
   
2. Open your search bar and type in “Settings.”
   
3. Select your “Settings” app and choose “Windows Update.”
   
4. Click the “Check for updates” button and wait for the system to check your PC for any updates you may not have installed.
   

Note that desktop PCs might not have Bluetooth built into their motherboard, so you might need to use a separate Bluetooth antenna. Laptops generally have Bluetooth from the get-go.

Once the PC is updated, make sure your Xbox controller with Bluetooth also has the necessary firmware updates. Take the following steps to do so:

1. Press your Xbox button on the controller to turn on the console.
   
2. Press and hold the Pair button for three seconds.
   
3. Return to your PC and tap your “Start” button.
   
4. Choose “Settings, followed by “Devices” and “Bluetooth” if you’re using Windows 10 or older. In Windows 11, the final menu is called “Bluetooth & Devices.”
   
5. Choose the prompt that lets you add Bluetooth or another device. If you have a Windows 11 PC, pick “Add device.”
   
6. Press “Bluetooth” in your “Add device” screen and wait for your Xbox controller to show up on your list of available devices.
   
7. Once the controller shows up, choose it, and let the system pair up your devices.
   

You can also connect your controller to an Android gadget:

1. Hit the Xbox key on the controller to turn it on.
   
2. Hold down the “Pair” key for three seconds before releasing it.
   
3. Go to your Android gadget and access Bluetooth settings by visiting “Apps,” followed by “Settings,” “Connected devices,” and “Pair new device.” The wording may vary by smartphone.
   
4. Browse the list of Bluetooth devices and wait for the “Xbox Wireless Controller” to appear.
   
5. Choose “Xbox Wireless Controller” and let the devices connect to each other. You can verify the connection by looking for the controller on your previous screen.
   

Pairing up an Apple device to your Xbox One or other wireless controllers is just as simple:

1. Launch the “Settings” menu on an Apple device and press “Bluetooth.”
   
2. Enable your Bluetooth connection.
   
3. Tap the Xbox key on your controller. If the controller is already connected to your Xbox, turn it off. Then, hold your “Pair” key for a couple of seconds.
   
4. Your Apple device should now list the available Bluetooth devices. Pick “Xbox Wireless Controller” and wait for the system to display your connection before leaving the screen.
   

You can even connect a smart TV to your Xbox One wireless controller:

1. Launch your Xbox app on the smart TV.
   
2. Select your “Controller” symbol in the upper section of the display using your remote control.
   
3. Tap the “Pair controller” button and select the controller from the list.
   
4. Activate pairing mode from your controller and press the “Continue” button. This will open your Bluetooth list, and the smart TV should start searching for the controller.
   
5. Choose the controller from the device list.
   
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to wrap up the process.

Xbox wireless controllers can be linked to many tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and headsets via Bluetooth. However, reliability depends on your Bluetooth card, which is why you can get varying performance.

Furthermore, you can only connect your controller to one gadget at a time. You’ll need to reconnect it to a device with the “Pair” key on the controller and console if you’ve already paired it up with a console.

Try to use just one controller linked via Bluetooth to your console. Connecting multiple controllers through Bluetooth is an option, but your performance may drop.

Can You Use Xbox Series X or S Controllers on an Xbox One?

You may have noticed that your controller for Xbox Series S or X consoles is nearly the same as the Xbox One controller. This is because Microsoft has incorporated backward and forward compatibility into these devices.

Backward compatibility allows you to use your Xbox One controller on an Xbox Series S or Series X and vice versa. It gives you a great way to play multiplayer games on any console without input issues.

As these controllers are nearly the same, you won’t miss out on any significant features by switching to an older Xbox One controller on your Xbox Series S or X. The only thing that’s missing is a dedicated “Share” key, but it shouldn’t be essential for your gameplay.

Why Can’t I Connect My Xbox One Controller to My Xbox?

Synchronizing an Xbox One controller to Xbox X isn’t too challenging if you have the necessary updates and Bluetooth technology. However, the pairing process may sometimes bug. You can try several troubleshooting methods to fix the problem.

• New batteries – The easiest workaround is to replace your Xbox One controller batteries. If you have the Rechargeable Battery attachment or Play and Charge Kit, be sure your device is fully charged. Also, verify the charging cable is in good condition.
• Adjust console proximity – Keep your controller near your console when synchronizing the devices. The controller and console have around 20-30 feet of wireless connection range. If you go any further than that, you might disconnect the gadgets.
• Prevent interference – Shut down laptops, TVs, or any other devices close to your controller and Xbox to eliminate interference.
• Reset the console – Another solution is to fully reboot the console. To do so, hold the Xbox key on the front of your platform for approximately 10 seconds. Unplug the power cable for around 30 seconds, reconnect the device, and reset the system.
• Disconnect unnecessary controllers – Don’t forget that one Xbox X or S can only be connected to eight controllers at a time. If you’re using that many controllers, unpair some before connecting your new device. The easiest way to turn off your control is to hold the Xbox key for a few seconds until the light goes out.
• Reconnect with the switch feature – Xbox Series X and S controllers have a convenient feature that allows you to switch between using the controller with an Xbox and a linked Bluetooth device. Quickly tap your “Pair” button on the controller twice to switch from your Bluetooth connection (e.g., a smartphone) back to the Xbox. Hold the same key to put the controller in pairing mode, which lets you reconnect your device to a Bluetooth device.
• Unplug other systems – Once you tap the Xbox key on the controller, the device automatically tries to link to a platform it was last connected to. Therefore, the controller might be paired to another Xbox when you activate it if there are several consoles nearby, keeping you from connecting to the desired platform. Shut down and unplug the other system(s) in the vicinity to prevent overlapping. You can try the same solution if you want to link a PC to your controller if the controller is already connected to a nearby console, and vice-versa.

Enjoy Your Favorite Games With a Handy Controller

You don’t need to be tech-savvy to pair up your Xbox One controller to Xbox X. The same goes if you want to connect the controller to other platforms. If anything goes wrong, follow the above troubleshooting tips to enjoy seamless gaming.

How many Xbox One controllers do you have in your Xbox setup? Have you encountered any issues when pairing up the devices? Tell us in the comments section below.