XBOX Cloud Gaming previews phone-as-controller on Smart TVs and Nano Controller cloud connect

XBOX Cloud Gaming has two new previews rolling out, according to XBOX Wire’s post of 4 November 2026 (US time). One lets you use your phone as a controller on a Smart TV, and the other lets XBOX Nano Controller players in the US try a Wi-Fi connection called cloud connect.

Both are still being tested, so availability and supported games or devices may be limited.

Your phone as a controller

If you want to play a cloud game on your TV and there’s no controller nearby, a supported Android or iOS phone can step in. The controls open in your phone’s browser, and some games get controls tailored to how they play.

To try it, turn on Preview Features under Settings > Account in the latest supported Smart TV experience. Launch a game without a physical controller connected and you’ll see an option to use your phone for that session.

The preview is rolling out on supported TVs in countries where XBOX Cloud Gaming is supported.

Cloud connect with the XBOX Nano Controller

Players in the US can preview cloud connect with the XBOX Nano Controller. Rather than a Bluetooth link to your TV, the controller uses Wi-Fi to connect straight to the cloud server running your game. Microsoft says that can reduce input latency, so play may feel more responsive.

It’s an early test and won’t work with every cloud gaming experience yet. For now, it’s available on supported Smart TVs and the web.

To set it up:

• Use the XBOX beta app on Android, or the Xbox Accessories app on PC, to set up cloud connect on the controller. XBOX Insider enrollment is required for setup through the PC app.
• Follow the app’s steps to connect the controller to your Wi-Fi network.
• Open a supported XBOX Cloud Gaming experience and sign in with the same XBOX account used during setup.

There’s a cloud connect setup guide with detailed instructions.

Sending feedback

Microsoft is asking testers to share suggestions or problems through the preview experience.

• Phone controller: after scanning the QR code on your TV, tap the Xbox icon in the top-left corner of your phone and select “Give Feedback”. You can also use the Guide or the XBOX app’s profile menu on your TV.
• Cloud connect: use the “Feedback” icon in the XBOX Accessories app on PC or the XBOX mobile app.