How To Use A Wii Controller On Pc

collection of PS4 and Xbox controllers on table

Console controllers don't e'er work equally presently as you lot plug them into a Windows PC or Mac. We've compiled a list of guides so you can learn how to brand your favorite controller piece of work with your reckoner.

Virtually controllers intended to exist used on PCs, similar USB Logitech controllers, will exist HID-compliant devices and support the XInput or DirectInput protocol, which you tin employ in most games. Some may work out of the box and others may need a custom driver. For console controllers, peculiarly older ones, yous may demand a hardware adapter if it doesn't plug into USB, as Bluetooth back up is hit or miss.

This guide covers Windows and macOS, simply most HID controllers volition piece of work on Linux, too. It'll just accept a little configuration, with which Linux users are probably familiar.

PlayStation 4 (DualShock 4)

PS4 dual-shock controller

Windows supports Sony PS4 controllers without additional software every bit long every bit you plug them in via USB. You lot'll need a hardware adapter to use the controller wirelessly.

Macs likewise support Sony's latest controllers by default, even with a wireless connection. Unfortunately, these controllers show upward every bit a generic input device, which may not work in all games.

PlayStation 3 (DualShock 3)

Windows needs a custom commuter for PS3 controllers. It'south a bit complicated to gear up, but we've got the instructions.

Macs back up these controllers without any extra software. Just wirelessly connect via Bluetooth or plug it in with a USB cable.

PlayStation 1 and two (DualShock ane and 2)

Sony'due south PS1 and PS2 controllers are older and don't use USB. You tin can get an adapter, just information technology's probably best to pick up a DualShock 3, as it's nearly entirely the aforementioned but with wireless and USB back up.

Xbox One

Xbox one controller

Windows is supported fully out of the box, seeing as this is Microsoft's flagship controller. Just plug and play, or connect over Bluetooth. Yous tin can even update the controller's firmware from your PC if you're using Windows 10.

Macs support Xbox One controllers wirelessly without anything extra, simply you'll need extra software if you lot want to plug your controller in via USB. Specifically, you need the 360Controller driver, which extends back up for wired USB Xbox One controllers.

Xbox 360

Windows supports wired 360 controllers by default, but wireless controllers will need a special USB adapter.

Mac needs a custom driver. Due to problems with kernel extensions (kexts,) wireless support causes kernel panics, and is disabled in this driver.

Original Xbox (Xbox "1")

You'll need an adapter and some custom drivers, but it doesn't seem entirely easy. MacOS has an older driver, merely it may not work on newer versions of macOS. As well, if you're crazy, you can forego the adapter birthday and splice together a couple of cables, although nosotros don't recommend this.

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Nintendo Switch controller

Nintendo'south Switch Pro controller works automatically subsequently you connect it via Bluetooth on Windows and macOS, but you'll have to set it upwardly in Steam to utilise in games.

RELATED: How to Connect the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or Pro Controllers to Your PC

Wii Remotes and Wii U Pro Controllers

Windows will connect the controller by default, but information technology may non be usable as a controller in all apps. Dolphin, the Wii emulator, supports using them equally inputs, but we didn't have any on paw to exam system-wide apply.

Mac is supported in the aforementioned way—only in Dolphin. Arrangement-wide utilise is technically supported, but we heavily recommend finding a new controller. MacOS Sierra broke back up for the merely driver, Wjoy, just it was updated on a new fork. Nonetheless, the current release doesn't work either, and so you'll have to build the latest commit from source in Xcode, update a agglomeration of build targets, fix a few errors, sign it with an Apple developer business relationship, and so later on all that you have to boot into Recovery Mode and disable system integrity protectionto install it. Simply then can y'all properly connect the controller.

GameCube Controllers

Y'all'll need an adapter of course, merely Windows and Mac should be supported past default through HID. Support may vary though depending on the adapter you become. Yous can become an official one, but the Mayflash adapter seems to piece of work fine for half the price. This adapter has a switch so you lot can use it on PC every bit well as panel, which will turn it into an HID device rather than a proprietary console but one. Dolphin can communicate with it direct, though, and will support the Wii U style, which can fix some bugs with the additional ports.

Annotation that macOS's HID implementation overrides Dolphin's direct communication with the device, then information technology doesn't back up having multiple controllers plugged in. There is a workaround, simply it may not work with every adapter. Information technology does involve disabling SIP, though absolutely just for kext extensions, which is a piffling safer.

Guitar Hero Controllers

guitar hero controller

This i'south a niggling weird, as Guitar Hero has many unlike console versions, but there's still a thriving community on PC with CloneHero. About should work with an adapter, so it'southward best to check their wiki for instructions.

Other Controllers

Other Retro Controllers usually need adapters, unless you become updated USB versions of them. Most adapters should use standard XInput and DirectInput connections and should exist configurable in Steam and any of the apps below.

Third Party Controllers will vary depending on what y'all get, just most should apply the same standard XInput connections. Commonly, it will listing its compatibility on Amazon, and so make sure to purchase one that's uniform, or pick up something more than mainstream.

If your controller isn't listed here, or you can't get it to work with these guides, a quick Google search for the controller name plus your Os version and "driver" should lead yous to decent results.

If you need to remap your controller, you can utilize Steam's born Big Film Mode to do then. If y'all need to use information technology in a non-Steam game, you lot can try AntiMicro for Windows and Enjoyable for macOS, both free.