How to Easily Switch The Xbox Controller From PC to Console

The Xbox Series X is full of hidden and useful features that make using the system an absolute breeze. Well, it turns out these useful features aren’t limited to the console. Apparently, the Series X controller is capable of syncing to two devices at the same time.

And what’s more, it’s a simple matter to switch between the two connected devices. Ken Lobb, Creative Director at Microsoft Game Studios tweeted out a handy image of exactly how to switch back and forth between devices.

How to Switch the Xbox Controller from PC to Console

On Twitter, Ken Lobb had this to say about switching devices on the Xbox Series X controller:

That’s all there is to it. That is, once both devices are paired. There are technically a few more steps that go into this easy swap, but even those are straightforward. Before players can swap between devices, they’ll want to pair a controller to another device. Most likely, the controller will already be linked to a console, but to connect to a PC (or mobile device), a user will want to follow these steps:

• Press and hold the sync button on the back of the controller. It’s right near the USB-C port. After a moment or two, the Xbox logo will start to flash rapidly.
• Now, users need to go to the device they want to pair with and look for the controller in the device’s Bluetooth settings. Select the controller (which sometimes initially appears as “Accessory”). And like magic, a second device has been connected.

Now everything is ready to go. As Ken Lobb said, switching back and forth between devices is a breeze.

• Double-tap the sync button to reconnect to the Xbox Series X console.
• Hold the sync button to reconnect to the alternate device.

A few notes about the quick sync feature. Only one alternate device can sync with the controller at a time. If the user wants to use their controller on their PC and mobile device, they’ll have to manually re-connect between the two each time they want to swap. Additionally, this quick sync feature is exclusive to Bluetooth connectivity. Any device that’s connected via the Xbox Wireless Adapter won’t be able to take advantage of this functionality.

The Xbox Series X is a powerful machine with lots of functionality, and as it turns out, its controller is no slouch either. Microsoft has really stepped up their game for this console generation, and the potential for more useful quality of life features for their platform seems very high.

Xbox Series X is available at all major retailers.

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