Better xCloud developer redphx has found references to a feature labelled “Phone controller” in XBOX Cloud Gaming. In a November 2nd post, he shared a screenshot showing a “Plays great with phone controller” category with 368 games. He also identified caccs as the name used for the feature in the code.
The name suggests you might be able to use your phone instead of a controller when playing on a TV. But it’s too early to tell whether that’s what XBOX is working on.
Phone Controller References Appear Alongside 368 Games
The screenshot includes Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077, Halo Infinite, The Sims 4, and Sea of Thieves.
In a follow-up, redphx said he’d initially confused it with the Direct-to-Cloud controller references he previously uncovered. He then pointed out that the code uses two different identifiers: accs for Direct-to-Cloud and caccs for Phone controller. He’s treating them as separate features rather than two names for the same one.
We covered redphx’s Direct-to-Cloud findings back in 2024. The idea was a controller that could send inputs straight to XBOX’s cloud servers instead of through the device showing the game. It was unconfirmed then, and the new Phone controller reference doesn’t establish anything more about that project.
XBOX Cloud Gaming Already Supports Touch Controls
You can already play some XBOX Cloud Gaming games on a phone or tablet without a physical controller. They use touchscreen inputs, and some have control layouts adapted to the game. XBOX said in April 2026 that more than 260 cloud games supported touch inputs.
We also maintain a list of games with custom touch controls. But that’s not necessarily what “Phone controller” means here. Using a touchscreen to play on the phone itself is different from using the phone to control a game on another screen.
That 368-game count doesn’t tell us whether XBOX is working on something new or simply changing how existing touch controls are presented.
XBOX’s Plans for Phone Controller Remain Unknown
On supported TVs, XBOX Cloud Gaming currently requires a compatible controller. If this feature lets your phone act as one, you could start streaming on a TV without pairing a separate controller.
XBOX hasn’t announced anything about Phone controller yet. For now, redphx has only uncovered references in the code, so we’re still waiting to find out exactly what XBOX has planned.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media platforms (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube, and Facebook) to stay up-to-date with the latest news. This website contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission when you click on these links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We are an independent site, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
