Which Xbox One Controllers Have Bluetooth (Original vs S vs X)?

Only the revised Xbox Wireless Controller (model 1708 and later) supports Bluetooth — the original Xbox One controller does not.

Two controllers can look nearly identical and behave completely differently on a PC. One pairs over Bluetooth and works with your laptop or phone in seconds; the other just sits there, because it was never built to speak that protocol. The difference comes down to the controller in your hand, not the console it shipped with.

This covers exactly which Xbox One controllers have Bluetooth, how to tell them apart in five seconds without any tools, and what Bluetooth actually unlocks.

The Model Numbers That Matter

The launch Xbox One controller, model 1537, has no Bluetooth. The revised controller introduced with the Xbox One S in 2016, model 1708, added it.

Model 1537 connects over Xbox Wireless and USB only. The Xbox One S and Xbox One X era bundles generally shipped the 1708, and the later Xbox Series X|S controller, model 1914, kept Bluetooth support.

Here is the quick-reference breakdown:

The Five-Second Faceplate Test

Microsoft’s own support guidance uses physical construction, not the printed model number, to identify Bluetooth capability. Look at the plastic directly around the Xbox button.

On a Bluetooth-capable controller, that plastic is part of the front faceplate — it wraps around the button as one continuous piece. On the original model 1537, the plastic around the button belongs only to the upper shell around the bumpers, so there’s a visible seam.

That single detail settles it faster than hunting for a tiny label. No disassembly, no serial-number lookup.

What Bluetooth Actually Unlocks

A Bluetooth-capable Xbox controller pairs with compatible Windows PCs, Android devices, Apple devices, and some smart TVs.

It does not change how the controller talks to an Xbox One console. Consoles use Xbox Wireless, so even the original 1537 connects wirelessly to its console fine — it simply can’t hop over to your laptop the same way. If you’re shopping for a second controller specifically for PC or mobile play, our tested Xbox One Bluetooth controller roundup covers which models hold a stable connection.

Bluetooth also does not give an Xbox One console headset support. A wired headset through the controller’s 3.5-mm jack or an Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter still handles audio.

Pairing It To A PC Or Phone

The pairing sequence is the same across devices. Microsoft’s support documentation lays it out plainly:

1. Turn on the controller by holding the Xbox button.
2. Hold the controller’s Pair button (top edge, next to the USB port) until the Xbox button starts flashing.
3. Open Bluetooth settings on your PC, Android device, Apple device, or supported TV.
4. Select Xbox Wireless Controller from the device list.
5. Launch a compatible game or app to confirm it registered.

When it works, the Xbox button stops flashing and holds a steady light, and the controller appears under your connected devices. For console pairing, use the console’s pair button instead of a Bluetooth menu — that’s a different connection entirely.

One caveat worth knowing: a firmware update can occasionally affect Bluetooth behavior with older non-Xbox devices, and some early controllers don’t offer a firmware rollback if something breaks.

The Mix-Ups That Waste Time

Three assumptions cause most of the confusion:

• Assuming every Xbox One controller has Bluetooth. The 1537 does not — it’s the single most common source of “why won’t it pair” frustration.
• Trusting the console name. Controllers get sold separately, refurbished, or swapped between bundles. Check the controller in your hand.
• Confusing Xbox Wireless with Bluetooth. Wireless-to-console and Bluetooth-to-PC are two separate capabilities, and a controller can have one without the other.

Run the faceplate test once and you’ll never guess again.