Microsoft’s Xbox Series X arrived in November, and reviewers as well as consumers were putting the new console through the loop. One of the features that was not advertised relates to the Series X’s new controller, which has the hidden (and useful) ability to quickly switch between two devices.
The tip comes with thanks to Microsoft employee Timo Wolf, who dropped the knowledge in a tweet on Monday morning. As Wolf notes, this is a feature that can be very useful for Xbox Game Pass subscribers who play games on mobile, Windows PC and Xbox.
The new Xbox Wireless Controller, like the old one, has a sync button on the front. You can still use it to pair a new controller with an existing console by holding it down for a long time. The same is true if you want to pair the controller with a Windows 10 computer or an Android device. You can also use a shorter press of the sync button to quickly switch the controller back to the last paired device.
If the written description is difficult to get your head right, there are also a handy video demonstrate the function. Wolf shows how the new controller can recall the last device to which it is connected. Hold down the sync button, wait for the lamp on the controller to blink twice, and then double-tap the sync button to switch to the previous device.
The feature only works with the Xbox’s own wireless connection and Bluetooth devices. You will not be able to use it if you use the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10. iOS devices are also excluded – at least for now.
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