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Xbox Drops Proprietary Expansion Port, Ending Chatpad Era

Engadget •
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Microsoft has quietly removed the Chatpad port from its latest Xbox controllers, a move confirmed by the new Forza Horizon 6 gamepad and the Elite Series 3 design. The port, once a hallmark of the Xbox One generation, no longer appears on the controller’s bottom.

The change stems from a lack of recent accessories for the port. Since the Chatpad’s quiet disappearance in 2019, Microsoft has offered few, if any, compatible devices. The recent Xbox app now supports in‑game typing, and a built‑in 3.5 mm jack replaces the need for a headset adapter.

This decision signals a shift in Xbox’s hardware strategy. By eliminating a once‑unique feature, the company cedes a niche that could have supported quirky add‑ons, while tightening its focus on core controller ergonomics. Users will instead rely on standard peripherals, streamlining the ecosystem.

Overall, the port’s removal marks the end of an accessory that defined a generation of Xbox controllers, consolidating the brand’s product line around universally compatible components.