The best console controllers to play games on a Mac



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Given the clumsiness of almost every other aspect of the game on Mac, I've been a little shocked to discover how easy it is to associate popular console controllers with my MacBook. Of course, you will have to modify some points. Yes, some of the "support" exists only through the generosity and dedication of a few moders. Even then, you're not completely crazy if you assume you can grab your PlayStation or Xbox controller and use it with your MacBook without losing any extra money.

Of course (and there is always one): It is easier to solve this problem with some controllers than others. You may need to download separate drivers and you may need to reboot the system for these drivers to take effect. You will certainly have a better time if you use a wired gamepad. In this respect, there is no guarantee that each controller will work here with all games (even if you will have a better chance if you play games downloaded via Steam).

Fortunately for us East possible. You may have to work a little bit. This is why I listed each controller here according to its simplicity of use and its setting, the simplest being at the top.

Sony DualShock 4 for PlayStation 4

If you own a PlayStation 4, you're in luck. Sony is perhaps the only company that has resisted the nonsense with other console systems. . Just buy the $ 60 DualShock 4 USB Wireless Adapter, plug it into your Mac and DualShock 4 controller should work immediately. Power to the players, indeed.

dualshock 4 macbook Leif Johnson / IDG

As with the rest of the controllers, you should not need a special mapping application to use the DualShock 4.

But if you do not want to shell out $ 60 for another key, you can plug the controller directly into your Mac with a Micro USB cable. This should work immediately. If you have problems, you can see if your Mac recognizes the device correctly by opening About this Mac, by clicking System reportthen USBand see if Wireless controller is listed (yes, even if you have it plugged in.)

Alternatively, you can simply pair it via Bluetooth. First, open the Bluetooth menu under System Preferences. Then reset the DualShock 4 by sliding a paper clip into the small hole near the L2 button on the Dual Shock (on the back). Hold it for a few seconds.

Then, activate the DualShock4 discovery mode by holding down the Share and PlayStation buttons for a few seconds. The controller should appear in the Bluetooth menu, and if all goes well, you will soon be shocked by the quality of its operation.

Xbox 360 Controller

Many people still claim that the old wired Xbox 360 wired controller is still the best PC gamepad, and for me too, this remains true for the Mac. Alas, it's no effort on the part of Microsoft itself. You can not even pair a wireless version via Bluetooth with Microsoft's proprietary software. You must keep it connected to the cable, regardless of the model you use.

xbook 360 macbook controller Leif Johnson / IDG

An old but a goodie.

Fortunately, thanks to the moderator Frantic Rain, you can make it work simply by downloading a Github driver. It works perfectly (as long as you do not use it wirelessly). Simply download the .dmg file, run it and let it install. You will then have to restart your Mac, but after booting you should see Xbox 360 Controllers on the bottom row of your system preferences.

Best of all, FranticRain keeps it up to date. At the time of writing, the file was updated just two days ago. You will simply need to run macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later for this to work.

Xbox One Controller

The FranticRain mod that I mentioned above also works with the Xbox One controller, but not so easily. You still need to connect it to the Mac via a Micro USB cable, but you will probably need to System Preferences, click on Xbox 360 Controllers at the bottom (assuming you've installed the mod), then click Advanced.

joystick xbox macbook mod Leif Johnson / IDG

The mod makes it extremely easy to customize the controller.

At the bottom you will see an option for Pretend to be an Xbox 360 controller. Check that. You should not have other problems beyond that. Many other users say it works fine without this option for multiple games, but it only works if I checked this option on my MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac.

As a reminder, if you install the FranticRain mod for the first time, you will need to restart your Mac before it takes effect.

Steam controller

Ok, so it's not a console controller in itself, but the Steam controller was designed for use with Steam's Big Picture mode, which provides a home console-like experience for Steam's stunning Steam PC and Mac Game Library. But more importantly for our needs, it works entirely with Steam on the Mac out of box. Just plug in the USB adapter (with a dongle, of course) and it should work immediately.

macbook steam controller Leif Johnson / IDG

I get easily … steamed when I use it.

Of course, it sounds good, but I'll be honest: I do not support the Steam controller. It's comfortable to hold and looks pretty cool, but Valve designed it with an indented circular touchpad rather than two classic controllers and a D-pad. A few years later, I still have not gone beyond the curve learning. I would not recommend buying it just for ease of installation, but it's a good option if you've already bought one for your PC.

Nintendo Pro Wireless Controller

At $ 70, the Nintendo Pro Wireless Controller If you've already bought one for the popular Nintendo console, you can also take it with you to have a good time on the Mac.

nintendo switch pro controller Nintendo

Connected via a USB-C cable, its configuration is incredibly simple, at least if you play your games via the Steam beta client. Here you will find support for the Wireless Controller Pro under preferences > Controller, where you will select Use Nintendo button layout so you do not have to worry about the confusion of a Nintendo controller acting like the Xbox.

And yes, if you wish, you can use the classic Joy Con switch controllers with your Mac if you pair them via the Bluetooth interface in System Preferences. The problem is that the Mac will register them as two separate controllers – which, of course, is technically the case.

DualShock 3 for PlayStation 3

The DualShock 4 is your best choice for playing Mac games with a PlayStation controller, but you'll be fine if you only have a predecessor. You simply do not need the official Sony adapter and you will probably have to play it wirelessly.

The pairing process for the DualShock 3 is a little complex (it is not guaranteed to work, judging by the reports of other users), so I listed it last.

Sony Playstation 3 controller dualshock 3 Sony

A party like the one of 2008.

Start by resetting the controller by dragging a paper clip into the small hole on the back of the controller near the L2 button. Hold it for a few seconds. This separates it from any other device.

Then, connect the DualShock 3 to the Mac using the Micro USB charging cable. Press the PlayStation button. The four LEDs at the top of the controller should light up. When you see the lights, unplug the cable.

You should soon see a request to pair your system for PlayStation3 Controller. If it asks you for an access code, enter 0000.

This should job. Despite this, many people claim that it does not always work with older versions of macOS, while others claim to never see the code request. So, if you're going to buy a console controller, trust us: buy one of the above controllers instead of the DualShock 3.

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