The Google Stadia shut down is imminent, with the shutdown date of January 18, 2023 rapidly approaching. Once that date arrives, Stadia servers will shut down and users will no longer be able to use the service. While there’s nothing we can do about the app shutting down, the hardware can be saved. Here’s how to use the Stadia controller with PC games and how to make use of the Stadia Chromecast for watching movies and TV shows, as well as enjoying other game-streaming services.
How to use the Stadia controller with PC games
To use the Stadia controller with PC games, users should:
- For a wired connection, plug the Stadia controller into a PC with the supplied USB-C cable.
- Other cables may work, but it’s best to try with the one supplied in the box before then switching it out for something longer, braided, etc.
- For a wireless connection, users currently have to resort to third-party software.
- “StadiaWireless” is one of the most popular choices. It’s by helloparthshah and is available here.
Unfortunately, the Google Stadia controller’s wireless is only officially supported by the Stadia app. This is why it has proven such a headache to get working with other services.
In an ideal world, Google would hurry to implement wide-range wireless support without the need for Stadia. Another option would be to make the controller software accessible to open source developers.
While other controllers can be easily paired through a relatively low latency Bluetooth connection, the Stadia controller doesn’t have this feature.
Using the Stadia Chromecast for movies, TV, and playing other games
Repurposing the Stadia Chromecast is a breeze, as while the Chromecast device might have come bundled with the Stadia package, it’s just a regular Chromecast dongle like the ones you can buy separately.
Once Google has shut down Stadia, the app will no longer work, but Chromecast users will still be able to download apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus for watching TV shows and movies, as well as game-streaming services like Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, and more.
Will the Stadia remote still work after Google shuts the service down?
While the Stadia controller is likely to be finicky when the service shuts down, the Stadia media remote that comes packaged in Stadia bundles will remain fully functional.
Like the Chromecast unit included in Stadia bundles, the Stadia remote is just a standard Chromecast remote that will work regardless of whether or not Stadia services are up and running.
