Posted   by 

Xbox One Controller Mac Connects But Games Don't Work

Nov 22, 2017 If all these above steps fail, and your Xbox One Controller Won’t Connect, try connecting another controller to your console. Play for a couple of minutes to test the second controller. If the second controller works fine, your original controller is probably faulty, and you perhaps need to replace it. Xbox One S controller. If you've got a newer Xbox One S controller with Bluetooth, you can use the controller with your Mac without any additional hardware or software: 1. Hold down the pair button on the top of the controller: 2. Go to the Apple menu and click System Preferences, then click Bluetooth: 3.

Gaming on a Mac is not what Apple is historically known for. However, with Apple delving into the fledgling virtual and augmented reality space, some traditional game interfaces and not so traditional interfaces (think HTC wands or Valve's knuckle controllers) now need to be supported on macOS to reap the VR/AR benefits to their fullest.

To ready you for some amazing VR pilot games such as Eve: Valkyrie that utilize a traditional game Xbox game controller, we're here to show you how to connect one to your Mac! In the past this method only applied to the Xbox 360 controller, but the latest version of the software you'll be using also now supports the Xbox One controller.

How to download and install the drivers

We're assuming that you already own a wired Xbox controller, but if you're needing to buy, a standard controller is about $50. You'll need to connect it to your Mac using a microUSB cable which, sadly, isn't included. If you buy a third-party wired controller you won't have to worry about this.

Next, follow these steps.

  1. Launch Safari.
  2. Navigate to https://github.com/360/Controller/360Controller/releases.

  3. Download the latest release of the 360Controller driver. As of this writing, the latest release is 0.16.5.

  4. Go to your Downloads folder in Finder.
  5. Double-click the 360Controllerinstall_*.dmg file.

  6. Double-click the Install360Controller.pkg that pops up in Finder.

  7. Click Continue.

  8. Again, click Continue.

  9. Select to Agree the license agreement.
  10. Click Install.

  11. Agree to allow a restart of the computer by clicking Continue Installation.

  12. Click Restart.

  13. You can optionally have the downloaded file Moved to Trash.

  14. Upon restarting the computer start System Preferences from the dock or the  menu.
  15. Click on Xbox 360 Controllers.

How to connect your Xbox 360 controller

Once you've installed the drivers, you'll now logically see that there are No devices found, since we have yet to physically connect the game controller to the Mac.

  1. Plug in your controller to your Mac. If you have a current model MacBook or MacBook Pro, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
  2. Click OK when the System Extension Blocked warning message pops up.
  3. Go into System Preferences via the dock or  menu.

  4. Click Security & Privacy.

  5. Under the General tab click the Lock at the bottom left.

  6. Enter your password and click Unlock.

  7. Click Allow.

Your Xbox wired controller should now be connected!

Final thoughts

I am super stoked about developers climbing aboard the VR/AR hype train. As a mere consumer of VR, I can only hope for more and more creative minds to get on board. If you're a VR/AR developer, or even better yet, a macOS VR/AR developer, what other ways can Apple help promote virtual reality on their platform? Let us know in the comments!

Updated April 2018: Updated to reflect that this method also now supports the Xbox One controller.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Concepts everywhere

Another day, another iPhone 12 Pro concept. How much would you pay?

If reports are accurate we might be waiting a little while longer than normal for iPhone 12 Pro. But would you care if it looked like this?

Connect your wireless controller to play supported games from Apple Arcade or the App Store, navigate your Apple TV, and more.

Xbox one controller mac connects but games don

Get started

  • Starting with iOS 13, iPadOS 13, tvOS 13, and macOS Catalina, Apple devices and computers support pairing with and using Xbox and PlayStation wireless game controllers.
  • If you need to update the firmware on your controller, check with your game controller manufacturer.
  • Check that you’re in range of your device and there isn’t interference in the area.

See which wireless controllers are supported

  • Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth (Model 1708)
  • PlayStation DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller
  • MFi (Made for iOS) Bluetooth controllers, like the SteelSeries Nimbus, Horipad Ultimate, and more may be supported.

Pair or unpair a controller with your iOS device

  1. Begin with your controller turned off. Then to put your controller in pairing mode:
    • With an Xbox Wireless Controller, press the Xbox button to turn on the controller. Then press and hold the Connect button for a few seconds.
    • With a DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller, press and hold the PS and Share buttons at the same time until the light bar begins to flash.
  2. On your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, tap Settings.
  3. Select Bluetooth and check that it's turned on.
    • To pair, find the name of your controller under Other Devices. Tap the name to connect.
    • To unpair, tap Information next to the name of the device, then tap Forget This Device.

Pair or unpair a controller with your Apple TV

  1. Begin with your controller turned off. Then to put your controller in pairing mode:
    • With an Xbox Wireless Controller, press the Xbox button to turn on the controller. Then press and hold the Connect button for a few seconds.
    • With a DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller, press and hold the PS and Share buttons at the same time until the light bar begins to flash.
  2. On your Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
  3. Wait while your Apple TV searches for nearby Bluetooth Accessories.
    • To pair, select the name of your controller. You'll know that your controller is connected when a notification that says Controller Connected briefly appears on your TV.
    • To unpair, select the name of your controller, then select Unpair Device. You'll see a notification on your TV that says Controller Connection Lost.

Pair or unpair a controller with your Mac

Xbox One Controller Mac Connects But Games Don't Working

  1. Begin with your controller turned off. Then to put your controller in pairing mode:
    • With an Xbox Wireless Controller, press the Xbox button to turn on the controller. Then press and hold the Connect button for a few seconds.
    • With a DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller, press and hold the PS and Share buttons at the same time until the light bar begins to flash.
  2. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences.
  3. Click Bluetooth and check that it's turned on.
  4. Find the name of your controller under Devices.
    • To pair, Control-click the name of your controller, then click Connect.
    • To unpair, Control-click the name of your controller, then click Remove.

Wired Xbox Controller Won't Connect To Pc

If your controller won't connect or doesn't work as expected

Xbox One Controller Mac Connects But Games Don't Work Lyrics

  • Unpair it, then pair it again. If you still can't pair or connect, get help pairing your Bluetooth accessory to your iOS device.
  • If your DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller pairs but then you see a Connection Unsuccessful notification, press the PS button in the middle of the controller and wait for it to connect.
  • Make sure that you're not trying to connect too many Bluetooth accessories at once. Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD support up to two controllers at once, and other Bluetooth limits vary by device.
  • Some controller functions aren't supported when paired with an Apple device, including the controller's audio jack. Contact Apple Support for more details.