PS4 controller not working with Mac, help?
February 27, 2021 10:55 AM Subscribe
So I bought a game controller for some fun during the pandemic. PS4 controllers are supposed to be plug-and-play on Macs, no drivers needed. The computer sees the controller connected to USB, but the games don't. What could be wrong?
The machine is an early 2008 20-inch iMac running OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
The controller is a Nacon PS4 with a USB wire (not wireless).
When I plug in the controller and go "About this Mac > System Report... > USB" I can see it show up as "PC Compact Controller" from Bigben Interactive, which is the parent company of Nacon. So the controller is communicating with the computer.
But OpenEmu (v 2.0.9.1) doesn't recognize it, under "Preferences > Input" it says "no available controllers".
I've got some joystick mappers, even though theoretically I don't need one, and they also don't recognize it. Enjoyable (v 1.2 (650)) says "No input devices found", Joystick Mapper (v 1.1.0 (2)) says "No Joysticks Connected".
The curious thing is: 2 years ago, I bought a cheap-ass controller, and it worked perfectly. Maybe I was on a previous version of OS X? I don't remember. But I remember all joystick mapper apps working; Air Supremacy working, and I even wrote a little Unity app to display the raw controller input. (This was used to determine that the analog sticks were cheap and janky, jumping all over the place, and thus the controller was returned)
Now that I got a more expensive controller, it won't work. Help!
The machine is an early 2008 20-inch iMac running OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
The controller is a Nacon PS4 with a USB wire (not wireless).
When I plug in the controller and go "About this Mac > System Report... > USB" I can see it show up as "PC Compact Controller" from Bigben Interactive, which is the parent company of Nacon. So the controller is communicating with the computer.
But OpenEmu (v 2.0.9.1) doesn't recognize it, under "Preferences > Input" it says "no available controllers".
I've got some joystick mappers, even though theoretically I don't need one, and they also don't recognize it. Enjoyable (v 1.2 (650)) says "No input devices found", Joystick Mapper (v 1.1.0 (2)) says "No Joysticks Connected".
The curious thing is: 2 years ago, I bought a cheap-ass controller, and it worked perfectly. Maybe I was on a previous version of OS X? I don't remember. But I remember all joystick mapper apps working; Air Supremacy working, and I even wrote a little Unity app to display the raw controller input. (This was used to determine that the analog sticks were cheap and janky, jumping all over the place, and thus the controller was returned)
Now that I got a more expensive controller, it won't work. Help!
I’m not 100% certain about this with macs but with the PlayStation, the DualShock 4 never actually communicates over usb - that’s only for charging. You have to pair with Bluetooth to actually use the controller on the PS4. Try using it over Bluetooth on the Mac.
posted by aubilenon at 12:27 PM on February 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
posted by aubilenon at 12:27 PM on February 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Your link links to instructions for pairing over Bluetooth. Have you followed those?
posted by JackBurden at 1:02 PM on February 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by JackBurden at 1:02 PM on February 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
I’m not sure about third party controllers, but this page says that only macOS Catalina or later supports ps4 controllers.
posted by kpmcguire at 4:05 PM on February 27, 2021
posted by kpmcguire at 4:05 PM on February 27, 2021
Correction: I think actually it does use USB to pair, but the actual HID stuff is always over bluetooth.
posted by aubilenon at 4:55 PM on February 27, 2021
posted by aubilenon at 4:55 PM on February 27, 2021
Response by poster: > Your link links to instructions for pairing over Bluetooth. Have you followed those?
Sorry, wrong link! (a lot of tabs open) – this was the link I meant to post, it clearly states that there are two ways to use the controller, going through USB and through Bluetooth.
Anyway, my current controller doesn't have Bluetooth and neither did the cheap one I got and returned two years ago. The cheap one did work so we know for a fact that controllers don't require Bluetooth to work on a Mac.
posted by Tom-B at 4:47 AM on February 28, 2021
Sorry, wrong link! (a lot of tabs open) – this was the link I meant to post, it clearly states that there are two ways to use the controller, going through USB and through Bluetooth.
Anyway, my current controller doesn't have Bluetooth and neither did the cheap one I got and returned two years ago. The cheap one did work so we know for a fact that controllers don't require Bluetooth to work on a Mac.
posted by Tom-B at 4:47 AM on February 28, 2021
aubilenon: OP isn't using a DS4, they have a Nacon.
also https://www.reddit.com/r/PS4/comments/8ct8yo/using_a_dualshock_4_as_a_wired_controller/
posted by onya at 4:59 AM on February 28, 2021
also https://www.reddit.com/r/PS4/comments/8ct8yo/using_a_dualshock_4_as_a_wired_controller/
posted by onya at 4:59 AM on February 28, 2021
Response by poster: > what model nacon controller are you using?
It's a Nacon PS4 Wired Compact Controller.
posted by Tom-B at 5:19 AM on February 28, 2021
It's a Nacon PS4 Wired Compact Controller.
posted by Tom-B at 5:19 AM on February 28, 2021
Response by poster: > I used to always use USB Overdrive with random controllers
OK, tried it but unfortunately it behaves like the other joystick mappers – doesn't see the controller.
posted by Tom-B at 5:21 AM on February 28, 2021
OK, tried it but unfortunately it behaves like the other joystick mappers – doesn't see the controller.
posted by Tom-B at 5:21 AM on February 28, 2021
the DualShock 4 never actually communicates over usb - that’s only for charging
I see you've corrected this, but for the record it's not true; here's how you set up a wired connection over USB.
I have only used it for Cuphead on Steam, but the stock PS4 controller was plug-and-play for me on a hackintosh running Catalina with a wired connection. No experience with other aftermarket controllers. I wonder if all your mapping software is actually interfering?
posted by aspersioncast at 9:39 AM on February 28, 2021
I see you've corrected this, but for the record it's not true; here's how you set up a wired connection over USB.
I have only used it for Cuphead on Steam, but the stock PS4 controller was plug-and-play for me on a hackintosh running Catalina with a wired connection. No experience with other aftermarket controllers. I wonder if all your mapping software is actually interfering?
posted by aspersioncast at 9:39 AM on February 28, 2021
Response by poster: > I wonder if all your mapping software is actually interfering?
Nope, I started out testing without any mappers installed
posted by Tom-B at 7:10 AM on March 1, 2021
Nope, I started out testing without any mappers installed
posted by Tom-B at 7:10 AM on March 1, 2021
Best answer: The Sony DualShock 4 is compatible with MacOS. Just because your controller is compatible with a PS4 does not necessarily mean it functions like a DualShock 4 and will therefore be compatible with your Mac.
posted by neckro23 at 12:39 PM on March 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by neckro23 at 12:39 PM on March 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: neckro23 got it. I exchanged the Nacon for a Sony Dualshock PS3 and it works perfectly.
posted by Tom-B at 2:18 PM on March 13, 2021
posted by Tom-B at 2:18 PM on March 13, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bcwinters at 12:27 PM on February 27, 2021 [1 favorite]