How to pair a PS4 or Xbox One controller to NVIDIA Shield TV

By Richard Devine
last updated

NVIDIA Shield controllers
NVIDIA Shield controllers (Image credit: Android Central)

The NVIDIA Shield TV is a great little box for playing games on. Whether it's native Android games or those streamed from your PC or Geforce Now, the Shield TV has some serious gaming chops.

It also has a pretty darn good controller in the box to play them with. But if you have a preference for either Sony's PS4 Dualshock 4 controller (opens in new tab) or Microsoft's Xbox One controller (opens in new tab), you're in luck. You can use both with the NVIDIA Shield TV without needing to use a cable.

Here's how you do it.

How to pair a PS4 controller with the NVIDIA Shield TV

PS4 controller

To pair the Dualshock 4 to your Shield TV (opens in new tab) simply follow these steps:

  1. Put your controller in pairing mode by holding down the PS button and the share button together until the light bar blinks.
  2. Go to settings on your Shield TV.
  3. Select add accessory.
  4. Wait for the Shield TV to find the controller over Bluetooth.
  5. Select your controller to pair.

Your PS4 controller should now be paired wirelessly with the NVIDIA Shield TV for you to enjoy in your games.

How to pair an Xbox One controller with the NVIDIA Shield TV

Xbox One controller

There's a little caveat to using an Xbox One controller, and that's which version you have. To connect wirelessly you need to have the latest version of the controller that launched alongside the Xbox One S. The easy way to tell is that the Xbox button is surrounded by plastic the same color as the rest of the controller.

Only this version has Bluetooth inside it for pairing with non-Xbox devices.

You'll also need to make sure the firmware is up to date if you're not already using the same controller on an Xbox One console. If you need to do this on a PC, download the Xbox Accessories (opens in new tab) application from the Windows Store and you'll be able to update it from within.

The steps then are really simple:

  1. Go to settings on your Shield TV.
  2. Select add accessory.
  3. Wait for the Shield TV to find the controller over Bluetooth.
  4. Select your controller to pair.

As with the PS4 controller you too should now have a paired controller to enjoy your games on the Shield TV (opens in new tab) wire free. And if you ever have troubleshooting to do, the Shield TV support forums are a great place to start.

Richard Devine
Richard Devine
8 Comments
  • One thing about xbox one controller with Bluetooth is that it won't vibrate and no sound from the aux port if used in Bluetooth mode.
  • Correct, that's an issue with the Bluetooth stack that Microsoft is using for the controller. Same thing for using it connected to a PC via Bluetooth.
  • does any one know a way to do this with a wiimote?
  • I can't think of too many games that'd work with since it isn't a standard controller. Also, is the Wiimote Bluetooth, or does it use a proprietary connection?
  • Knowing Nintendo, proprietary, and from the mid 80s in tech, renamed to some 2017 buzzword.
  • It uses Bluetooth but the specific bt profile was removed from Android in version 4.2 so unless Nvidia specifically baked it in I would say the wiimote would not be possible to pair with Shield.
  • Hi, can either of these be paired with any Android phones? I read that Samsung blocked the Ps4 controller with the 7.0 update but would love to know.
  • You missed a step for connecting the XBONE controller. Before you tell the shield to add a bluetooth accessory you have to turn the controller on and press the little connection button next to the USB plug on the controller.