I was given an Xbox One + two controllers from a family member who didn't want it anymore. The controllers are the only things I find useful about the device. I spent way too much time yesterday navigating the various quirks of these two Xbox One controller's while trying to get them to work on my Bazzite install. Here is what I learned.
- Turns out most of my USB-Mini cables that I have horded over the years only provide power, not data and power. I happen to find one USB-Mini cable that had a data connection.
- Turns out there are at least two models of Xbox One controllers: 1680 and 1708. Both of these models looks identical (save for the 1680 I have being 'camo' themed).
- The 1680 model does NOT have Bluetooth capability, and only proprietary 2.4ghz wireless that can be used on a PC via a dongle.
- The 1708 model DOES have Bluetooth, but, it only works on a Windows PC unless you perform a firmware update on the controller. In order to do that you need to have both the Xbox app and the Xbox Accessory app installed on your Windows computer, and have the correct USB-Micro cable (one with data).
My follies obviously include the following:
- Assuming the controllers for the Xbox One had Bluetooth from the onset. A silly thing to assume considering the PS4 controllers had Bluetooth...
- Assuming that any model revision of the controller would have come with some obvious physical differences.
- Assuming that just because something has Bluetooth that it isn't somehow compromised to make it more proprietary.
- Dusting off the Windows 11 laptop I have wouldn't then require almost an hours worth of Windows updates before I could do anything on it.
It's clear the confusion around these controllers is real. Since every result I got from searching the problem either didn't mention the difference in the model number, or only did after several backs and fourths with other users trying to diagnose the issue.
Another thing that I'll have to test, is I'm pretty sure the first few cables that didn't work yesterday, had worked for using the controllers previously. The initial ones I tested with were on my desk, where my desktop is (also running bazzite) and I very clearly remember using them to play games at that desk. This time I was trying to connect the controller to a Windows 11 laptop. None of them for either controller, would detect the controller at all. I just happen to find another, thicker USB-Mini cable that did the trick.
So who knows. I should probably find some kind of USB cable tester and go through my cables and label which ones have power only, and which ones have power and data.
