Which game controller will work on a Mac M2?

[Levina]

Hello,

I play a Steam game every now and then. I used the wired xbox 360 controller (with the driver) for years. Worked perfectly fine on my classic Mac Pro. It doesn't work any longer on my new Mac Mini M2Pro. I bought a new one, the xbox wireless controller X as I read it would work on newer Macs. I'm sorry to say it doesn't. My Mac doesn't see it. Steam doesn't see it.

So which controller will work with a M2 Mac (and Steam)?

Thanks!

 

[bousozoku]

I'm using a wireless xBox controller. It lists everything but macOS as compatible, but it works just fine.

 

[diamond.g]

Hello,

I play a Steam game every now and then. I used the wired xbox 360 controller (with the driver) for years. Worked perfectly fine on my classic Mac Pro. It doesn't work any longer on my new Mac Mini M2Pro. I bought a new one, the xbox wireless controller X as I read it would work on newer Macs. I'm sorry to say it doesn't. My Mac doesn't see it. Steam doesn't see it.

So which controller will work with a M2 Mac (and Steam)?

Thanks!

PS5 controllers work. I have a 8-bitdo Switch controller than macOS sees but not all games work with it.

The Series X controller should work (check to see if your phone sees it when put in pairing mode).

 

[salamanderjuice]

Series X controller should work, you can either use it wired or in Bluetooth mode. You have to hold the pair button for at least 3 seconds to put it in Bluetooth mode. The Xbox logo flashing will change to signify that.

 

[Levina]

PS5 controllers work. I have a 8-bitdo Switch controller than macOS sees but not all games work with it.

The Series X controller should work (check to see if your phone sees it when put in pairing mode).

Series X controller should work, you can either use it wired or in Bluetooth mode. You have to hold the pair button for at least 3 seconds to put it in Bluetooth mode. The Xbox logo flashing will change to signify that.

Ah, okay. Hold the pair button!! I will try that. Thank you both.

I'll report back later.

 

[Levina]

Okay, pairing the controller and the Mac was successful. Steam's test was also successful. And sure enough, it works navigating from game to game and it opens a game but that's where it ends. It does nothing in the games, despite Steam telling me the controller should work very well with them.

It's the same on my iPad. Navigating from app to app works, opening an app works. But that's it.

Could it be a firmware update I need to do? I hope not because it can't be done on a Mac.

 

[kaioshade]

Okay, pairing the controller and the Mac was successful. Steam's test was also successful. And sure enough, it works navigating from game to game and it opens a game but that's where it ends. It does nothing in the games, despite Steam telling me the controller should work very well with them.

It's the same on my iPad. Navigating from app to app works, opening an app works. But that's it.

Could it be a firmware update I need to do? I hope not because it can't be done on a Mac.

Try toggling Steam input for the Xbox controller. I remember some games not recognizing it until I did that.

 

[Levina]

Try toggling Steam input for the Xbox controller. I remember some games not recognizing it until I did that.

Thanks. Will try that.

 

[Luposian]

I just bought Shark! Shark! (BBG) for my 2020 M1 Mac Mini, since the Intellivision Amico will probably never be a thing (especially now, since they sold the Intellivision IP to Atari). I can play Player 2 with the arrow keys (I hate playing games with ASWD keys), but that's kinda imprecise, so I'd like to get a wireless/Bluetooth gaming controller for it, but not sure which to get. Don't want to spend more than $50 for a controller, but it has to work with the games I get, otherwise it's pointless. I want to buy from Best Buy, but looks like nothing is available in store for my area. Might try WalMart or Target.

 

[dmccloud]

Hello,

I play a Steam game every now and then. I used the wired xbox 360 controller (with the driver) for years. Worked perfectly fine on my classic Mac Pro. It doesn't work any longer on my new Mac Mini M2Pro. I bought a new one, the xbox wireless controller X as I read it would work on newer Macs. I'm sorry to say it doesn't. My Mac doesn't see it. Steam doesn't see it.

So which controller will work with a M2 Mac (and Steam)?

Thanks!

Both the current XBox and PS5 controllers work fine with my M2 Max Mac. Steam can be a bit finicky with respect to controller support, even on a Windows rig. Amazon's Luna controller also works with my Mac.

 

[Levina]

I never got the controller to work on my Mac Mini M2Pro, so been playing on my old Mac Pro instead with the old, wired Xbox controller.

Maybe I will try Amazon's Luna controller.