\n

The\u00a0Steam Deck\u00a0walks the fine line between handheld and desktop, meaning it can do just about anything a\u00a0gaming PC\u00a0can, including connecting to external controllers via Bluetooth and USB.\u00a0Better still, Valve\u2019s Steam Input software makes pairing and configuring your weapon of choice a breeze, meaning you won\u2019t have to faff around.<\/p>\n

The Steam Deck\u2019s built-in controls are a boon if you love gaming on the go, but there are plenty of reasons to pair the portable powerhouse with the best PC controller. You\u2019re going to have a hard time using an external gamepad with the device if you\u2019re out and about \u2013 unless you\u2019re Goro from Mortal Kombat \u2013 but it could enhance your experience tenfold if you prefer to hang out on the couch or at your gaming desk.<\/p>\n

Unless you own the now-discontinued Steam Controller, there\u2019s nothing quite like the Steam Deck\u2019s trackpads making PC strategy games playable. That said, connecting an Xbox, PlayStation, Razer, Scuff, or just about any compatible controller gives the handheld more versatility than console alternatives.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to use an external controller on Steam Deck<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

How to use an Xbox controller on Steam Deck<\/h2>\n

Bluetooth devices can be fiddly, but SteamOS makes the whole affair feel like a doddle. If you\u2019ve ever hooked up an Xbox controller wirelessly to Windows 11 without an Xbox Wireless Adapter, then the following steps should feel somewhat familiar:<\/p>\n

\n
• On your Steam Deck, navigate to settings > Bluetooth.<\/li>\n
• Turn Bluetooth on then press and hold the controller\u2019s pairing button.<\/li>\n
• Wait for your controller to appear on the screen then select it with the A button to pair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  It\u2019s worth noting that early versions of the original Xbox One controller aren\u2019t compatible via Bluetooth, so keep that in mind before picking one up to use with the Steam Deck. You also shouldn\u2019t have to spend much time configuring the pad\u2019s layout, as Valve\u2019s approach is near identical.<\/p>\n

  How to use a PlayStation controller on Steam Deck<\/h2>\n

  If you\u2019re a PlayStation fan, chances are you already own a Dualshock 4 or a Dualsense, and Sony\u2019s pads are also compatible with the Steam Deck. Here\u2019s how to link up your PS4 or PS5 controller to Valve\u2019s handheld:<\/p>\n

  \n
  • Head to settings > Bluetooth and switch it on<\/li>\n
  • Hold down the PlayStation logo and share button until LED lights flash<\/li>\n
  • Highlight \u201cWireless controller\u201d on Steam Deck screen and press A to pair<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Just like with Xbox\u2019s pad, you shouldn\u2019t have to spend much time configuring your PlayStation controller\u2019s layout. That said, you will get a warning in most games about your buttons in games, as they won\u2019t match any built-in UI elements. In other words, you\u2019ll want to disregard Sony\u2019s iconic symbols and take a more positional approach to presses.<\/p>\n

    <\/h2>\n

    How to use a Nintendo Switch Pro controller on Steam Deck<\/h2>\n

    The Nintendo Switch Pro controller helps the best platform games shine, so it\u2019s easy to see why you\u2019d want to pair one with the Steam Deck. While older Nintendo peripherals don\u2019t play as nice with gaming PCs, you can hook the Pro controller up to SteamOS using three easy steps:<\/p>\n

    \n
    • Hop into settings > Bluetooth and make sure it\u2019s switched on.<\/li>\n
    • Hold down the pairing button at the top of the Pro controller.<\/li>\n
    • Highlight \u201cPro controller\u201d on screen and press A.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Your Nintendo Switch Pro controller should now be linked to your Steam Deck. Just like with Xbox and PlayStation\u2019s palm companions, you won\u2019t need to configure any buttons. As most games use Microsoft\u2019s pad layout, you\u2019ll have to disregard the controller\u2019s face button labels, but the experience otherwise should be seamless.<\/p>\n

      It\u2019s also possible to arm your Steam Deck with Nintendo Switch JoyCons, but they won\u2019t natively link up as a pair. For that, you\u2019ll have to use a specific Arch Linux tool to sync up the JoyCons and use them as a singular controller.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      How to use a Steam controller on the Steam Deck<\/h2>\n

      The Steam Deck Controller might be considered a hardware flop, but its trackpads make it a perfect gaming mouse alternative \u2013 especially if you want to kick back on the sofa and play some Age of Empires 4. Before you get to pairing the two Valve devices, you\u2019ll want to make sure the gamepad\u2019s firmware is up to date, as this will ensure it can connect via Bluetooth. Once that\u2019s out of the way, you should be able to introduce the handheld to its ancestor:<\/p>\n

      \n
      • Jump to settings > Bluetooth and ensure it\u2019s turned on.<\/li>\n
      • Hold down the Y and centre logo button on the Steam Controller.<\/li>\n
      • Select the controller on the screen and hit A to pair.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        The Steam Controller uses a near-identical button and trackpad layout to the Deck, meaning it\u2019ll provide your thumbs with a similar experience to the handheld. Just note that it only packs one joystick, which could make its layout feel a little quirky.<\/p>\n

        <\/h2>\n\n

        How to use wired USB controllers on Steam Deck<\/h2>\n

        The Steam Deck spends a lot of time cord-free, but you can still tether it to a wired USB controller. If you\u2019re planning on plugging straight into the handheld, you\u2019ll either need to use a USB C cable or an adapter that supports USB A.<\/p>\n

        The official Steam Deck dock hasn\u2019t arrived yet, but it should make using wired gamepads a little easier. Not only will it provide an expanded number of USB ports, but connecting to the dock rather than the portable should feel less awkward and a little more secure.<\/p>\n

        What controllers are compatible with Steam Deck?<\/h3>\n

        SteamOS supports a wide range of controllers, and you can configure most options to maximise compatibility. Here\u2019s a list of gamepads that are officially compatible with Steam Deck:<\/p>\n

        \n
        • Steam Controller<\/li>\n
        • Playstation Dualshock 4<\/li>\n
        • PlayStation 5 Dualsense<\/li>\n
        • Xbox 360 controller<\/li>\n
        • Xbox One controller<\/li>\n
        • Xbox Series X\/S controller<\/li>\n
        • Any generic XInput controller<\/li>\n
        • Any DirectInput gamepad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Valve says that other input devices may work, even if they aren\u2019t officially supported by SteamOS. Therefore, it\u2019s probably worth experimenting, as you might be able to use your favourite pad with the portable powerhouse.<\/p>\n

          Palm companions<\/strong>: Check out the best PC controllers<\/em><\/p>\n

          Can you connect multiple controllers to Steam Deck?<\/h3>\n

          Just like a PC, you can connect multiple controllers to the Steam Deck for multiplayer gameplay. The number of simultaneous Bluetooth connections you can make may vary, but you should be able to comfortably connect four or mode pads to the Deck wirelessly. You can also hook up wired options, but you\u2019ll need to either use a hub or a docking station, as the device only has one USB C port.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

          
          \n
          Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The\u00a0Steam Deck\u00a0walks the fine line between handheld and desktop, meaning it can do just about anything a\u00a0gaming PC\u00a0can, including connecting to external controllers via Bluetooth and USB.\u00a0Better still, Valve\u2019s Steam Input software makes pairing and configuring your weapon of choice a breeze, meaning you won\u2019t have to faff around. The Steam Deck\u2019s built-in controls are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11941,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.pcgamesn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/how-to-use-an-external-controller-on-steam-deck.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[571],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pc"],"yoast_head":"\n