How do you employ an exterior controller on Steam Deck? There isn’t any scarcity of PC controllers which might be suitable with the Steam Deck, however connecting them to Valve’s transportable is finished in plenty of methods. This information covers all types of controllers throughout wired and wi-fi connections.
The Steam Deck continues its dominance as the perfect handheld gaming PC, even when it isn’t essentially the most highly effective. Utilizing the perfect PC controllers with Valve’s handheld is easy, however the methodology of connection can differ relying in your chosen pad.
Learn how to use an Xbox controller on Steam Deck
Bluetooth units might be fiddly, however SteamOS makes the entire affair really feel like a doddle. In case you’ve ever attached an Xbox controller wirelessly to Home windows 11 with out an Xbox Wi-fi Adapter, then the next steps ought to really feel considerably acquainted:
- In your Steam Deck, navigate to settings > Bluetooth.
- Flip Bluetooth on, then press and maintain the controller’s pairing button.
- Wait on your controller to look on the display, then choose it with the A button to pair.
It’s price noting that early variations of the unique Xbox One controller aren’t suitable by way of Bluetooth, so maintain that in thoughts earlier than selecting one up to make use of with the Steam Deck. You additionally shouldn’t must spend a lot time configuring the pad’s format, as Valve’s method is almost equivalent.
Learn how to use a PlayStation controller on Steam Deck
In case you’re a PlayStation fan, chances are high you already personal a Dualshock 4 or a Dualsense, and Sony’s pads are additionally suitable with the Steam Deck. Right here’s the best way to hyperlink up your PS4 or PS5 controller to Valve’s handheld:
- Head to settings > Bluetooth and change it on
- Maintain down the PlayStation emblem and share button till LED lights flash
- Spotlight “Wi-fi controller” on Steam Deck display and press A to pair
Similar to with Xbox’s pad, you shouldn’t must spend a lot time configuring your PlayStation controller’s format. That mentioned, you’ll get a warning in most video games about your buttons in video games, as they gained’t match any built-in UI parts. In different phrases, you’ll wish to disregard Sony’s iconic symbols and take a extra positional method to presses.
Learn how to use a Nintendo Change Professional controller on Steam Deck
The Nintendo Change Professional controller helps the perfect platform video games shine, so it’s simple to see why you’d wish to pair one with the Steam Deck. Whereas older Nintendo peripherals don’t play as good with gaming PCs, you may hook the Professional controller as much as SteamOS utilizing three simple steps:
- Hop into settings > Bluetooth and ensure it’s switched on.
- Maintain down the pairing button on the high of the Professional controller.
- Spotlight “Professional controller” on display and press A.
Your Nintendo Change Professional controller ought to now be linked to your Steam Deck. Similar to with Xbox and PlayStation’s palm companions, you gained’t have to configure any buttons. As most video games use Microsoft’s pad format, you’ll must disregard the controller’s face button labels, however the expertise in any other case ought to be seamless.
It’s additionally potential to arm your Steam Deck with Nintendo Change JoyCons, however they gained’t natively hyperlink up as a pair. For that, you’ll have to make use of a selected Arch Linux instrument to sync up the JoyCons and use them as a singular controller.
Learn how to use a Steam controller on the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck Controller is perhaps thought of a {hardware} flop, however its trackpads make it an ideal gaming mouse various – particularly if you wish to chill on the couch and play some Age of Empires 4. Earlier than you pair the 2 Valve units, you’ll wish to make certain the gamepad’s firmware is updated, as this may guarantee it might probably join by way of Bluetooth. As soon as that’s out of the best way, it’s best to be capable to introduce the hand-held to its ancestor:
- Soar to settings > Bluetooth and guarantee it’s turned on.
- Maintain down the Y and centre emblem button on the Steam Controller.
- Choose the controller on the display and hit A to pair.
The Steam Controller makes use of a near-identical button and trackpad format to the Deck, which means it’ll present your thumbs with an analogous expertise to the hand-held. Simply be aware that it solely packs one joystick, which might make its format really feel a bit quirky.
Learn how to use wired USB controllers on Steam Deck
The Steam Deck spends a number of time cord-free, however you may nonetheless tether it to a wired USB controller. In case you’re planning on plugging straight into the hand-held, you’ll both want to make use of a USB-C cable or an adapter that helps USB-A.
The official Steam Deck dock hasn’t arrived but, but it surely ought to make utilizing wired gamepads a bit simpler. Not solely will it present an expanded variety of USB ports, however connecting to the dock fairly than the transportable ought to really feel much less awkward and a bit safer.
What controllers are suitable with Steam Deck?
SteamOS helps a variety of controllers, and you may configure most choices to maximise compatibility. Right here’s an inventory of gamepads which might be formally suitable with Steam Deck:
- Steam Controller
- Ps Dualshock 4
- PlayStation 5 Dualsense
- Xbox 360 controller
- Xbox One controller
- Xbox Sequence X/S controller
- Any generic XInput controller
- Any DirectInput gamepad
Valve says that different enter units may go, even when they aren’t formally supported by SteamOS. Due to this fact, it’s in all probability price experimenting, as you may be capable to use your favorite pad with the transportable powerhouse.
Are you able to join a number of controllers to Steam Deck?
Similar to a PC, you may join a number of controllers to the Steam Deck for multiplayer gameplay. The variety of simultaneous Bluetooth connections you may make might range, however it’s best to be capable to comfortably join 4 or extra pads to the Deck wirelessly. You can too hook up wired choices, however you’ll have to both use a hub or a docking station, because the gadget solely has one USB-C port.
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