Here’s everything you need to know about Google Stadia (Updated)

If you are just starting out with Google Stadia, we've compiled a list of essential facts and factoids to help you make the most of your cloud gaming experience. Whether it's which devices are compatible with Stadia, how fast your internet connection needs to be, which gaming controller to use, or even which games are available to play for free or as a Stadia Pro subscriber, we've got you covered. All you need to do is join us after the break.

Availability

Okay, so we know Stadia involves Google streaming video games from their high-powered servers to any of your devices running Google Chrome. As evidenced by Project Stream, the experience is really good, and it works with several different controllers and peripherals. You do need a fast internet connection, though.

Google detailed exactly how fast of a connection you'll need, too.

If you're only wanting to stream at minimum settings, 10Mbps should do the trick. The base plan of Stadia (which we'll get to in a minute) needs about twice that much, while the top-tier, 4K HDR streaming will require around 35Mbps. That's not too demanding, but it is going to eliminate some people that aren't around major population centers.

Where?

Stadia is available in the following countries:

Supported Screens

You can play Stadia games in the Chrome browser on your laptop or desktop computer, or via LG smart TVs, Chromecast with Google, Android TV OS devices such as the Nvidia Shield, or on the Chromecast Ultra which is included in the Stadia Premiere Edition which costs $79.

The following smartphones and tablets are compatible with Stadia:

• Pixel 2, 2XL, 3, 3XL, 3a, 3a XL, 4, 4XL, 4a, 4a (5G), 5, 5a, 6, 6 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, S8 Active, S9, S9+, S10, S10+, S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, S21, S21+, S21 Ultra, S22
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e, S6, S7, S7+, S8, A, A7
• Samsung Note 8, 9, 10, 10+, 20, 20 Ultra
• OnePlus 5, 6, 7, 7 Pro, 7 Pro 5G, 8, 8 Pro
• OnePlus 5T, 6T, 7T, 7T Pro, 7T Pro 5G, 8T
• OnePlus Nord, N10 5G, N100
• Apple iPhone and iPad
• Asus ROG Phones
• Razer Phone, Razer Phone II
• LG V50 ThinQ, V50S ThinQ, V60 ThinQ, G7 ThinQ, G8 ThinQ, Wing

If you have an iPhone or iPad, you'll need to create a Safari web app on your device to play Stadia games, and this is how:

1. On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Safari app.
2. Navigate to stadia.com and sign in to your Stadia account.
3. A prompt appears that lets you know you can play in your browser. Select Got it.
4. The Stadia home screen appears in Safari.
5. In Safari, select the Share icon.
   • On an iPhone, this icon appears at the bottom of your phone's screen.
   • On an iPad, this icon appears at the top right of your tablet's screen.
6. A share menu appears. Select the “Add to Home Screen” option. It appears next to a plus icon.
7. Return to your device's home screen and tap the Stadia web app icon . This web icon has a different design than the Stadia app  that is available from the App Store.

Whenever you want to play Stadia on your iPhone or iPad, just tap the Stadia web app icon.

Compatible Streaming Devices

These are the compatible TVs and streaming devices for Stadia:

• Chromecast Ultra
• Chromecast with Google TV
• LG webOS Smart TVs (2020 or later model year)
• DIRECTV STREAM Device
• Hisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)
• MagentaTV One
• Nokia Streaming Box 8000
• Nvidia Shield TV and Shield TV Pro
• Onn FHD Streaming Stick and UHD Streaming Device
• Panasonic JX800 series (Europe)
• Philips Android TVs from 2019 (7304 or later) and 2020 (8505 or later)
• Sharp Aquos® (EQ, EP, EL, EN series) (Europe)
• Sony BRAVIA (Z9J, A90J, A80J, X95J, X92, X91J, X90J, X85J, X80J, X900H, X9000H)
• STRONG LEAP-S1 Android TV box
• TCL 5-Series and 6-Series (with Google TV)
• TiVo Stream 4K
• Verizon Stream TV, Stream TV Soundbar, and Stream TV Soundbar Pro
• Xiaomi MIBOX3 and MIBOX4

Compatible Controllers

Wondering which gaming controller works with the Stadia-compatible device you own? We've got the definitive list for you below:

Features

Direct Touch – Instead of using a touch gamepad overlay, direct touch enables players to interact directly with a game using their phone’s touch screen through tapping, sliding, and pinching the screen with their fingers. Available within HUMANKIND and Hundred Days.

State Share – Turn a normal image or video capture into a portal to a unique game experience and share these game states with friends. Featured within: HITMAN 1, 2, 3, Judgment, HUMANKIND, PixelJunk Raiders, Serious Sam 4, Monster Boy & the Cursed Kingdom.

Stream Connect – Share your screen in real-time with your teammates, and see theirs to stay close to the action. Featured within: Outriders, Tom Clancy's The Division 2, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint, The Crew 2, Orcs Must Die! 3.

Crowd Choice – YouTube viewers have the power to decide what happens during a live stream by voting on different in-game decisions. Featured within: Baldur’s Gate 3 Early Access, Dead by Daylight, Outcasters.

Crowd Play beta – YouTube viewers can jump into the live stream they're watching and play alongside YouTube Creators. Featured within: Mortal Kombat 11, Borderlands 3, Super Bomberman R Online, Dead by Daylight, Outcasters, Samurai Shodown, Crayta.

Free Game Demos / Game Trials – Players who have a Stadia account, can play demos of select Stadia games for free. To skip signup and just play, players can also try free trials of select games before needing to create a Stadia account.

What Games Can You Play?

So what can you play on Stadia? Well, since Google isn't just spinning up some Windows servers somewhere, the games will need to be natively ported to Stadia. There are a few major publishers already on board, including heavy hitters like Bethesda with Doom Eternal and Rage 2, Ubisoft with some Assassin's Creed games, The Division 2, and The Crew 2, and the highly-anticipated Borderlands 3.

You do have to buy these, though because this isn't Xbox Gamepass where you can play anything on the service anytime you want. The free tier is excluded from these free games as well.

Games available on Stadia (01/06/2022)

Stadia Pro Games (01/06/2022)

And these are the current games available to Stadia Pro subscribers:

Pricing

Okay, there are two tiers. What's the difference?

By paying $9.99 per month for Stadia Pro, you get access to free games every month, 4K HDR streaming with 5.1 surround sound, and exclusive discounts on games and in-game purchases.

If you don't want to pay, you can just buy the games instead of paying the monthly sub. However, you're limited to 1080p streaming, and it'll only stream in stereo, not 5.1. That's a painful downgrade, in my opinion.

You can jump right in with the Stadia Premiere Edition which includes a Stadia Controller, a Chromecast with Google TV streaming device, and a month's trial to Stadia Pro. All you need to do is provide a screen and sign up via the link below: