checking the indicator leds, which was always only showing the leftmost led illuminated, gave me the same impression. But given my connection problems, I tried the 'official' approach most of the time. Didn't seem to matter...
was using my moto g4 plus till the battery went bad (ordered a new one)
I am currently using an Amazon HDX 8.9 4th generation, rooted with google apps installed and it works fine using both the tablet and the controller.
