How to connect a gaming handle to an Android phone or tablet

Touch control for mobile games is not always great. Perhaps they are slightly poor or your device does not support multitasking. Instead of being disappointed with this, why not consider connecting to a gaming handle?

You can connect various types of handles to Android via USB or Bluetooth, including Xbox One, PS4 or Nintendo Switch gaming handles. The following article will show you how to connect almost any gaming console with an Android device to facilitate mobile gaming.

Control Android games via USB or Bluetooth

The gaming experience on Android will be significantly improved with the help of the handle. If you are playing Fortnite on the phone or even a slow-paced game like Minecraft, the game handle offers more stability than the touch control.

In general, you will connect the handle with a USB cable or Bluetooth. You have 5 options to connect the game handle to your Android phone:

1. Standard USB handle
2. Standard Bluetooth handle
3. Xbox One handle
4. PS4 handle
5. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con

The article will in turn consider each option one by one. Note that the article will skip older consoles (like the Xbox 360 controller) due to outdated applications and changes to Android's support support.

Let's check out how to set up each of these handles and use them on Android.

Connect the USB handle to Android

If you want to take any USB handle and start playing games on Android, you will need a USB-OTG cable. This is a special dongle that basically fits into a standard USB connector and is suitable for phones or tablets.

However, USB-OTG cable does much more. It even lets you connect all kinds of devices and USB drives to Android.TipsMake.com 's guide to USB-OTG will explain this in more detail.

First, you need to buy a USB-OTG cable. The price of this cable is not too expensive. Make sure you choose the correct USB-C or micro-USB connector depending on the phone you use.

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Just connect the USB-OTG dongle to your Android phone, then connect the USB game handle to it. Games that support the handle will detect the device. After that, you'll be ready to play the games you like. That's all you need to do.

Connect the standard Bluetooth handle to Android

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If you own a Bluetooth game handle, make sure it works with your Android device. Connecting a standard Bluetooth handle to Android is almost as simple as connecting a USB handle, though of course you don't need any dongles.

Open Settings> Connected devices> Connection preferences> Bluetooth> Pair new device , then follow the specific instructions for your handle to be detected. Search for a dedicated Bluetooth button or check the user manual to find the correct button combination.

Your phone will detect the handle. Click on its name to establish a connection. Like USB, games can use the handle to detect them when you start playing. Other games can support the handle, but require additional software from Google Play.

Connect the Xbox One handle to Android

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If you own an Xbox One handle, you have a great way to control games on Android. But how to connect an Xbox One handle to your Android device?

Similar to connecting an Xbox One handle to your Windows PC, you don't need any additional hardware with the new model handle. A typical Android device with Bluetooth support is all you need to connect the handle to your phone, tablet, or even Android TV.

Before starting, make sure the handle is fully charged and you unplug the Xbox One. Otherwise, the handle is still paired with Xbox One, which means you can't pair it with your Android device.

Start by bringing Android into discoverable mode as explained in the previous section. Next, hold the Sync button on the Xbox One handle. When detected, select the handle on your phone and follow the instructions to pair.

Note that this will only work with new Xbox One handsets that use Bluetooth. Models were originally released when the Xbox One first came out, using RF that Android didn't support. In the image below, the bottom handle (no plastic around the Xbox button) supports Bluetooth.

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If your handle cannot connect wirelessly, you can use USB OTG instead. This also applies if you want to connect the old wired Xbox 360 handle. This method will work with most Android devices, although note that the Guide button may blink while you use it.

Connect the PS4 handle to Android

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Sony has been using Bluetooth for its handles for years. This makes it easy to play Android games with PlayStation 4 gamepad.

Make your Android device discoverable, then sync the handle by holding the PlayStation and Share buttons simultaneously . When the handle light blinks, you will see the Wireless Controller section listed on your Android device.

Select this item to complete pairing. The blue light that appears on the PS4 handle means it has been successfully connected.

Play games on Android with Nintendo Switch Joy-Con

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Amazingly, you can even connect the Nintendo Switch handle to Android. You can synchronize a Joy-Con or synchronize two Joy-Cons at the same time as a full two-handed controller.

In order to synchronize both Joy-Con attached to the Joy-Con Grip like this, you'll need a wireless adapter and a USB-OTG dongle compatible with your phone.

Games that support handles will do this much better than games without support. Besides, refer to how to take screenshots and record videos on Nintendo Switch game consoles.

Remember that in addition to Joy-Con, you can also connect the Nintendo Switch Pro handle to your Android device.

Which handle is best for playing games on Android?

You can connect any handle to your Android phone or tablet and the success of options will also vary. Although the connection in general is easy, some games still don't work well with the handle.

The best handle option is the device you feel best suits you. However, although the Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch handles are very good quality, but a handle designed specifically for mobile gaming can work better, in the long run. long. Anyway, if the games you play support the handles, everything will be fine.

Wish you find a suitable option!