Brand new Series X controller undetected by PC, Mac, and iPhone

JG143 · Nov 22, 2023

I got a series X controller so I could use Gamepass on my laptop, which is a dual boot MacOS/Windows Macbook Pro 2019. Any time I try to connect to these, the light on the controller flashes but is undetected via Bluetooth.

The controller works fine plugged in, and I was able to update it from the Windows side of my Laptop. Even with the update, nothing shows up on the add device lists. I also tried connecting it to my iPhone 11 Pro, which still didn't work, despite Apple supposedly having support for Xbox controllers (Connect an Xbox wireless game controller to your Apple device - Apple Support).

Then, I returned the first one and got another controller (both from Walmart) and again the controller is undetected by all of my devices. Am I missing something? Or did I just get bad luck twice? Does anyone have any ideas how to fix?

Thank you.

:)

kyle_m4496

Got it, thanks for confirming. It sounds like you may have been unlucky then, especially if it's not being detected by any device.

I'd recommend trying to get one more replacement to see if that works. Please reach back if you have further questions.

Thanks,
Kyle

kyle_m4496

Hi JG143. My name is Kyle and I'm an independent advisor.

Just to confirm, you are putting the controller into pairing mode before trying to connect, is that correct?

To put it in pairing mode, turn on your controller by pressing the Xbox button then press the controller's Pair button for 3 seconds and release.

Then it should be pairable via Bluetooth.

Thanks,
Kyle

kyle_m4496

I see, glad to hear it's working now! I'll be here if you need help with anything else.

Thanks,
Kyle

JG143

Hi Kyle. Yes, I am putting it into pairing mode.

Edit: Nevermind, I was holding down the home button instead of the pairing button. put it into pairing mode and it connects. Thank you for the help!

UltimaDragoon89

I am having this problem as well. Brand new series x, brand new controller, brand new batteries. System is up to date and so is the controller. Has to be a software issue, this does not happen on my Xbox One.

Brand new Series X controller undetected by PC, Mac, and iPhone