External Controllers

External Controllers Table of Contents

Preface

Steam Input is the foundation of controls on the Steam Deck. It's what allows EmuDeck to set up a standardized control scheme across emulators. Steam Input allows you to use a controller with any game or emulator.

However, Steam Input might also conflict with native features of the controller. One example is that Steam Input does not properly expose the gyro for external controllers to emulators. In these cases, you will need to disable Steam Input and allow the controller to "talk" directly to the emulator to properly expose these features.

You may need to restart to ensure Steam Input is properly disabled.

This page will cover how to utilize Steam Input with external controllers, and how to use workarounds when Steam Input does not properly expose various features of an external controller.

Common Issues

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8BitDo Ultimate 2.4G Wireless Controller - Double Inputs

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If you are facing issues with the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4G Wireless Controller having double inputs, you may consider disabling Steam Input for the respective game causing you issue.

Read How to Disable Steam Input to learn how to disable Steam Input.

Tips and Tricks

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How to Disable Steam Input

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Read the Preface section for more information on how Steam Input interacts with your controller.

Disabling Steam Input may allow you to use your external controller's gyro in multiple emulators, including Cemu, Dolphin, Ryujinx, and Yuzu.

How to Disable Steam Input in Game Mode

Select a game, emulator, or EmulationStation-DE
On the game's page, click the Controller icon
Select your controller tab at the top
Select the Gear icon to the right of Edit Layout
Click Disable Steam Input
- Use this same menu to re-enable Steam Input
- You may need to restart first for this setting to properly apply

For a video, see below:

How to Disable Steam Input in Desktop Mode

In Desktop Mode, exit out of Steam. You may exit out of Steam by right clicking the Steam icon in your taskbar and clicking Quit Steam.

Do note that since your controls are tied to Steam being open, your controls will revert to Lizard Mode. You can use L2 to right click, R2 to left click, and the Right Trackpad to move the mouse.

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Nintendo Switch Controllers: HOME + A
PlayStation Controllers: PLAYSTATION BUTTON + X
Xbox Controllers: GUIDE BUTTON + A
Steam Controllers: STEAM BUTTON + A

If your controller is not in the above list:

To find the button combination, hold the GUIDE button for 3 seconds and look for the QUICK ACCESS MENU button combination in the list.

For a full list of button combinations, hold the GUIDE button for 3 seconds.

How to Re-Arrange the Controller Order

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If you are using external controllers, you may need to re-arrange the controller orders in order for one external controller to be identified as "Player 1" and for the other controllers to correctly be identified with their corresponding user. With emulation and on occasion Steam games, re-arranging the controller is necessary for external controllers to be recognized.

To re-arrange the controller order:

On an external controller, open the Quick Access menu

Nintendo Switch Controllers: HOME + A
PlayStation Controllers: PLAYSTATION BUTTON + X
Xbox Controllers: GUIDE BUTTON + A
Steam Controllers: STEAM BUTTON + A
To find the button combination, hold the GUIDE button for 3 seconds and look for the QUICK ACCESS MENU button combination in the list

Open the Quick Settings menu (Gear icon)
Scroll down to the bottom, click Rearrange controller order
Select your controller order
- If you are using a single external controller, swap the external controller and the Steam Deck so the external controller is first in the list

For a video, see below:

Controller Compatibility

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The controller compatibility section discusses the compatibility on various controllers and how well they work on the Steam Deck.

8BitDo Mod Kit for Original N64 Controller

Link: https://shop.8bitdo.com/products/8bitdo-mod-kit-for-original-n64-controller

How to Configure 8BitDo Mod Kit for Original N64 Controller With RetroArch

Set controller to switch mode
Disable Steam Input for RetroArch or whichever game you are opening through RetroArch
Download configuration and place in /home/deck/.var/app/org.libretro.RetroArch/config/retroarch/autoconfig/sdl2/
- Nintendo_N64_Controller.cfg
Forget / Reconnect controller Bluetooth every time you connect the controller