The Steam Controller is Valve innovative PC gamepad designed to bring mouse and keyboard precision to your couch gaming. Introduced in 2015 and discontinued in 2019 it lets you play any Steam game even titles without native controller support on a big screen. Unlike a standard console pad the Steam Controller standout features include two clickable circular trackpads in place of thumbsticks high definition haptic feedback on both sides dual stage analog triggers gyroscopic motion sensing and extra back grip buttons.
All inputs are fully configurable so you can remap buttons or combine inputs to suit each game. In fact about 74% of Steam users who reviewed the controller rated it positively. In this guide we will cover its key features setup steps compatibility requirements button mapping and gaming tips for getting the most out of your Steam Controller.
Key Features of the Steam Controller
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Dual Clickable Trackpads: Instead of traditional analog sticks it has two large circular trackpads left and right that can emulate a mouse joystick steering wheel or 1:1 cursor control. These trackpads offer precise input for strategy or simulation games on the TV.
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HD Haptic Feedback: Powerful vibro motors HD haptics on both pads deliver precise tactile feedback you will feel textures scroll clicks or recoil in your fingers.
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Dual Stage Triggers: Each trigger has two stages: a soft pull and a full click essentially letting you bind two actions to one trigger. For example in shooters you can set a soft pull to aim down sights and the full pull to fire.
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Gyroscope and Motion Sensors: A built in 6 axis gyro accelerometer allows tilt based controls for motion aiming or steering e.g. tilting to look around or steer.
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Extensive Inputs: In addition to face buttons and shoulder buttons it has two rear grip buttons and one clickable analog stick. All inputs can be remapped to keyboard mouse or gamepad commands.
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Ergonomic Design: Valve positioned every control zone for comfort and efficiency optimizing for frequent use. The result is a unique shape that many find surprisingly comfy for long sessions.
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Custom Mapping and Community Profiles: Via Steam Big Picture Mode you can create or download custom configurations control schemes for individual games. The Steam store notes you can find your favourite mappings in the Steam Community or create and share your own.
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Wireless and Wired Modes: The controller connects wirelessly via a USB dongle included or can be used wired via its Micro USB port. It runs on two AA batteries.
Compatibility and Requirements
The Steam Controller works with Steam software on modern PCs and devices. According to Valve it is compatible with Steam on Windows macOS Linux SteamOS and even smartphones or Apple TV via Bluetooth. In practice you can use it with any PC or Steam Machine that can run Big Picture Mode. Key points:
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Operating Systems: Windows via Steam Mac OS X 10.8 or later Linux Steam client SteamOS etc.
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Steam Big Picture Mode: A Big Picture capable system desktop or Steam Machine is required to configure and save profiles. All controller customizations are done in Steam Big Picture interface.
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Connections: Comes with a 2.4 GHz USB wireless receiver dongle. Plug this into your PC or Steam Link box and the controller will pair. Alternatively (after a 2020 firmware update you can pair via Bluetooth LE by holding Y + Steam Button on the controller to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. Hold X + Steam for original receiver pairing. Bluetooth mode lets you connect to devices like PCs Steam Decks or even phones or tablets.
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Steam Link and Remote Play: The Steam Controller was designed to work with Valve Steam Link hardware or software. You can pair it directly with a Link or Steam Deck without the dongle by using Bluetooth.
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Firmware: When you first power it on Steam will usually prompt you to update the controller firmware it is highly recommended to accept this for best performance.
In summary as long as you have the Steam client Big Picture on a PC or Valve device the Steam Controller will work. It even supports non PC devices via Steam Link or Bluetooth.
Setting Up the Steam Controller
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Insert Batteries and Receiver: Install two AA batteries and plug the included USB wireless dongle into your computer or Steam Link box. You can also skip the dongle and connect via USB cable if preferred though batteries still power it.
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Power On: Press the central Steam Button between the trackpads to turn on the controller. You should see a notification in Steam Big Picture that a new controller was detected.
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Update Firmware: After turning on Steam may ask if you want to update the controller firmware. Accept this update it unlocks Bluetooth support and any other improvements. If you do not get a prompt try restarting your PC and Big Picture mode.
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Open Steam Big Picture Mode: Launch Steam’s Big Picture. Big Picture provides the menu interfaces to configure the controller.
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Register: In Big Picture go to Settings > Controller > Controller Settings. Your Steam Controller should appear under detected devices. If it is the first time select it and choose REGISTER to link it to your Steam account. This lets you save personal profiles to the cloud.
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Configuration: To set up the controls go to Library highlight the game you want to configure and press A > Manage Game > Controller Configuration. This opens the mapping interface for that game even if it is not running.
Follow the on screen menu to bind buttons choose trackpad modes set sensitivities etc. For example you could map the left trackpad to a mouse cursor and the right trackpad to scrolling or assign quick menu radial controls. Remember: any button can emulate any keyboard mouse or gamepad input. Once you have customized save the profile. The Steam Controller will automatically switch to the correct profile whenever you launch that game.
Button Mapping and Customization
The Steam Controller strength is total customization. In Big Picture controller config you can remap inputs and even layer multiple actions:
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Rebinding Inputs: As PC Gamer explains you can rebind any and all buttons on the Steam Controller to any other command from a keyboard mouse or Xinput gamepad. Simply highlight a control and choose a new binding or keyboard/mouse key for it.
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Multi Binds: Pressing Y on the controller toggles multi binding. This lets one button produce multiple inputs in sequence. For instance you could bind Alt+Tab together to quickly switch windows in Desktop mode.
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Mode Shifting: You can assign a shift function to certain buttons. E.g. hold the Left Grip button and it can switch the behavior of another input like turning the left pad from a D pad into a touch menu. This effectively doubles the available functions great for games with many commands. PC Gamer Wolfenstein example shows holding a bumper to shift the right pad from aiming to weapon selection mode.
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Touch Menus and Radial Grids: One unique input style is the Touch Menu. By placing your finger on the trackpad an on screen grid of buttons appears. Move your finger to highlight a square and press down to activate that command. You can configure up to a 4×4 grid of shortcuts e.g. weapon selects emotes macros on each pad.
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Gyro Aiming: The gyro sensor can be used for smooth camera or cursor control. For example tilting the controller can move the on screen camera or act like a steering wheel in racing games. You can even disable analog sticks and use gyro only look for more precision.
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Steam Button Shortcuts: Certain Steam button combos provide quick actions. By default Steam + Select brings up the on screen keyboard and Steam + Right Trigger takes a screenshot. These can be handy in Big Picture or while streaming.
By leveraging these features the Steam Controller can emulate complex control schemes. You can bind whole combo moves or macros set up gesture controls and more. Do not forget to explore the Steam Controller configuration community many gamers have shared optimized layouts for popular titles.
Gaming Tips with the Steam Controller
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Start with Community Configs: Before diving deep check the Steam Workshop controller configs for your game. Valve community has thousands of shared layouts. You can import a top rated config and tweak it to your liking. This saves time and shows what possible.
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Use Trackpads as Mouse: Thanks to its high res trackpads the controller excels at games normally played with a mouse. Strategy and management games can be played on the couch with surprisingly good accuracy. Set one pad to a trackball or mouse mode for cursor control and gaming becomes much more intuitive.
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Leverage Gyro for Precision: For FPS or action games combine the trackpad for coarse look and use the gyro for fine aim adjustments. The inbuilt gyro can give a smooth look around effect when you tilt the controller. Experiment with gyro sensitivity in the config menu to get a feel that suits you.
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Dual Stage Triggers: As noted bind soft or full trigger pulls to two actions. E.g. soft pull = zoom/ADS full pull = shoot. This frees up face buttons and thumbs for other tasks.
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Practice Mode Shifts: Try assigning common functions to mode shift combinations. For example hold a grip button to make the right pad act as a weapon wheel or turn a pad into extra D pad directions. These clever tricks can reduce how much you move your thumb across buttons.
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Pairing and Profiles: If you play games on multiple PCs or use the Steam Link remember to sign in and register your controller on each machine. This allows your saved configs to sync. For non Steam titles e.g. Epic or GOG games add them to your Steam library and launch via Steam the controller will then follow your Steam configurations.
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Keep it Updated: Valve occasionally pushes firmware updates that add features like Bluetooth support. If you dust off an old Steam Controller run Big Picture install any updates and enjoy improved compatibility.
FAQs
Q: What is the Steam Controller and what games can I use it with?
The Steam Controller is a PC gamepad by Valve with touch sensitive trackpads. It is intended to work with the entire Steam library including games not originally designed for controllers. Because of its customizable inputs you can use it for everything from first person shooters to strategy and even older point and click games.
Q: Which systems are compatible with the Steam Controller?
It works on any computer running Steam for Windows macOS or Linux as well as Steam Deck. It can also pair via Bluetooth with devices like Steam Link Steam Deck or even smartphones Y+Steam enters BLE mode. You will need Steam Big Picture mode to configure it but once set up it functions like a standard controller wired or wireless.
Q: How do I set up and configure the Steam Controller?
First insert batteries and plug in the USB wireless dongle or connect via USB. Turn on the controller with the Steam button Steam should detect it and prompt a firmware update. Then launch Steam Big Picture mode. Under Settings > Controller you can register the device. To map buttons go to your game in Big Picture press A > Manage Game > Controller Configuration. From there you can remap any button, set trackpad modes, adjust sensitivity etc. Finally save the config; Steam will auto load it when you launch that game.
Q: Can I use the Steam Controller with non Steam games?
Yes. The easiest way is to add the non Steam game as a Non Steam Game in your Steam library and then launch it from Steam. This allows the Steam Input system to take over and your controller mappings will work.
Q: What are dual stage triggers and haptic feedback?
Dual stage triggers mean each trigger can do two things: a light pull soft stage and a full pull click stage. For example you could set aim on the soft pull and shoot on the full pull. Haptic feedback HD haptics are precise vibrations in the trackpads and triggers. These let you feel virtual actions like the recoil of a gun or the click of a dial right through your fingertips.
Q: Why do I need Steam Big Picture Mode?
Big Picture mode provides the interface to configure the Steam Controller. It is optimized for TV use and controller navigation. Inside Big Picture you can remap all inputs select profile per game and share or download community configs. According to Valve the controller detailed settings button mapping, sensitivity etc. are accessed in Big Picture mode. Without Big Picture the controller will function as a generic gamepad with default bindings.
Q: Are there any special tips for using the Steam Controller?
Definitely! Try using the gyroscope for fine aiming or steering. Experiment with mode shifting hold a button to change another button function. Use the community configs as a starting point. And take advantage of the touch menu for multi button shortcuts. For any Steam game you can tweak everything in real time. If you encounter any issue ensure the controller is registered to your Steam account and your firmware is up to date.
The Steam Controller remains a unique and powerful gamepad for PC gaming. With its array of features and deep customization it lets you tailor the control scheme to any game. Follow this guide setup steps and tips and you can unlock the controller full potential. Give it a try share your favorite configurations and level up your gaming experience with Valve’s innovative controller!
