The Switch Pro controller is slowly becoming a fan favorite within the Nintendo community and other gamers alike due to its comfort and button press feedback. It also sports a USB-C connection as well as Bluetooth for a wireless hook up, which could be a big plus for most as both the Xbox One and PS4 controllers are still using those flimsy micro USB ports, which are extremely prone to breaking.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller has scaled up the level of gaming in recent years with its distinct features, including an excellent directional pad, a wing motion sensor , and vibration technology.
The most amazing part of the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is that it uses Bluetooth and completely eliminates the need for an adapter to connect it to a PC.
How To Use Your Switch Pro Controller On PC Via USB-C
If you just prefer to have a wired controller, you can hook it up via a USB-C cable. This eliminates any worries of actually setting it up as a device and the chance of the connection dropping.
To get your Switch Pro controller hooked up via USB-C, locate the port on the top of the controller and plug it in. Do the same with the USB connector and plug it into your PC. The drivers should automatically install and you should be able to simply go play your games.
If you’re playing your games via Steam, you should be good to go as it has Switch Pro controller support, but if you’re playing games via a different method, you’ll need an additional piece of software such as x360ce, which will emulate your Switch Pro controller as an Xbox 360 controller, allowing you to remap your inputs.
The only real downside to using a USB-C cable over wireless connectivity is the fact that you’re physically tied to the PC, limiting your movement and pretty much making sitting back on your couch impossible.
How do you pair a controller to a Nintendo Switch
Before using a Joy-Con or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for the first time, you need to pair it with your console.
One way is to physically connect the controller to your console and then pair it, but you can also do this wirelessly.
Wireless pairing procedure:
- Select “Controllers” on the HOME Menu.
- Select “Change Grip/Order”.
- Hold the SYNC Button on the controller you want to pair. (Release the button once the controller LED starts flashing.)
- When the message “Paired” appears on the screen, the pairing is complete.
How To Connect A Nintendo Switch Controller To A Phone
Connecting a Nintendo Switch controller to a phone typically requires some additional steps and may not be officially supported by all phones. However, you can try the following general steps to connect a Nintendo Switch controller to your phone:
- Check Controller Compatibility: Ensure that the Nintendo Switch controller you have is compatible with your phone. Some controllers, like the Pro Controller, may work better for this purpose.
- Enable Bluetooth on Your Phone: Make sure that the Bluetooth feature on your phone is turned on. You can usually find this in the settings menu of your phone.
- Put the Controller in Pairing Mode: To put your Nintendo Switch controller in pairing mode, press and hold the small sync button located on the top of the controller. The controller’s lights should start flashing to indicate it’s in pairing mode.
- Pair the Controller with Your Phone: On your phone, go to the Bluetooth settings and search for available devices. You should see the Nintendo Switch controller listed. Select it to pair.
- Follow on-screen Instructions: Depending on your phone’s operating system (Android or iOS), you may need to follow additional on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
- Testing: Once the pairing is successful, test the controller to ensure it’s working properly with your phone. You can try playing a game that supports external controllers to verify the connection.
Note that the steps may vary slightly depending on the specific model of your phone and the version of its operating system. Also, newer developments may have occurred, so we recommend checking the latest information specific to your phone model and Nintendo Switch controller for the most accurate guidance.
How To Connect Nintendo Switch Controller To TV
Connect your Nintendo Switch console to your television (put it in TV Mode), and connect your Nintendo Switch dock and controller via the USB charging cable. When the message “Paired” appears on the screen, the pairing is complete.
Sync Button On Switch Controller
The Sync button is used to pair the controller and reset the wireless connection with the console.
How To Connect Your Nintendo Switch Pro Controller To Your PC
One reason that so many gamers appreciate the Nintendo Switch is that its Bluetooth technology easily hooks up and connects to nearby PCs. You can connect Switch Pro and Joy Con controllers to your PC if you have them.
It takes a bit more elbow grease to get it working with all your games when compared to connecting an Xbox controller, but it’s a great option if you already own a Switch.
Before you connect your Nintendo Switch controller to your laptop or another Android device, you should make sure that you’ve got a Bluetooth receiver and that both objects are relatively close together. Once that’s squared away, here’s how to get connected.
How to connect a Switch Pro Controller to PC using Steam
The Steam client now officially supports the Switch Pro Controller, with it previously only being available in the beta client. This gives you the ability to use it with all of your PC games and even remap its buttons, should you see fit.
Step 1: Head to the Controller Settings menu in Steam. From here, you can check support for the Switch Pro Controller and enable the Use Nintendo Button Layout option, which changes all your games’ button prompts to match the Pro Controller. If you leave this unchecked, the A/B and X/Y buttons will be swapped, like they are on the Xbox One.
Step 2: Next, plug in your Switch Pro Controller with a USB cable, and you’ll be asked to register it as well as calibrate the built-in gyro sensor for motion control in certain games.
Step 3: Once you’ve done that, select Controller Configuration, and you can set the function of every button and stick on the controller, make preset configurations for certain games, or choose a community member’s own configuration by pressing the X button. If you like, you can even bind the gyro sensor to a particular function, which could enable you to be nearly as accurate as mouse-and-keyboard players in certain games.
How To Connect Other Controllers To Your PC
If you are a multi-console owner or have controllers for other systems lying around, you should also be able to hook them up to your PC. However, the methods shown for the Switch Pro controller might not necessarily work with these.
So, that’s it! The connection methods above should help you use your Switch Pro controller on PC. If you do have any further problems playing non-Steam games, we’d suggest potentially trying out a different mapping software like XOutput to see if that makes a difference.
How to connect Joy-Cons or a Switch Pro controller to your PC via Bluetooth
You can easily pair Switch controllers with a Windows or Mac computer from directly within the Bluetooth menu. The steps are essentially the same for both types of controllers, so you can follow along with whatever style of Switch controller you intend on using.
Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on your computer.
Step 2: Disconnect the controller from the Switch.
Step 3: Hold the Sync button, located between the SR and SL buttons, until the LED lights start flashing.
Step 4: Look for the controller in your computer’s Bluetooth menu, and select the option to pair it with your device.
There are some quirks to watch out for, such as when the pairing lights on the Joy-Cons won’t stop blinking. You can confirm that the controller is connected, however, by looking at your computer’s Bluetooth settings. If you see the error message below, move the controller around to ensure no other devices are interfering with the signal. Then try again.
Connecting Your DualShock 4 or DualSense Controller
Whether you’re playing with a group of friends or just aren’t a big fan of the Joy-Con controllers, it’s worth considering playing your Switch games with a PlayStation Controller instead. It’s always a crowd favorite and the DualSense can be customized in many ways.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect a DualSense or DualShock 4 controller to your Nintendo Switch.
You’ll need a few things before you start, including a PlayStation Controller and a Bluetooth adapter. The latter can be picked up online cheaply and will be essential to the process. We recommend the 8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2. The process for both DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers is essentially the same.
It is a good idea to ensure your PlayStation is unplugged or out of range for this process to avoid the PlayStation controller connecting to your other consoles.
It is a good idea to ensure your PlayStation is unplugged or out of range for this process to avoid the PlayStation controller connecting to your other consoles.
How to Connect a PS4 or PS5 Controller to Your Switch
First, you must ensure that your Nintendo Switch is docked and turned on, and then plug in the wireless USB adapter to one of the USB slots on the left side of the dock. Next, you must navigate to the System Settings on the Switch’s main menu and select Controllers and Sensors.
When you’re in this menu, turn on the wireless USB adapter by selecting Pro Controller Wired Connection.
By pressing the pairing button on the USB adapter, you should see a rapidly flashing light. This means that the adapter is ready to pair.
Lastly, on both the DualSense and DualShock 4 controllers, hold down the PS button and the Share button to put the controller into pairing mode. The DualSense will have lights pulsing around the touchpad, while the Playstation 4’s DualShock 4 will display a pulsing light on the front.
When the lights on the controller and adapter return to their steady color, they are paired. You are now ready to play Switch games using a PlayStation controller. To make sure, you should be able to see your controller displayed on the Controller Select screen on your Switch.
Conclusion
If you have a Bluetooth adapter or inbuilt support for Bluetooth, there isn’t really much you need to do to get your Pro Controller working on your PC. Because of the way the Pro Controller is designed, it works with bluetooth but official USB support is nonexistent.