Use 3rd Party Gamepads with SteamVR

Use 3rd Party Gamepads with SteamVR

Alongside StretchSense Gloves, third party accessories can be used to expand the utility of the gloves by adding physical buttons. There are a variety of gamepads and software to allow these to work in SteamVR to extend the number of buttons that can be used when playing SteamVR games.

Mocute Gamepad in XInput Mode

Mini-Wireless-Bluetooth-Gamepad-VR-Controller-Remote-Pad-For-IOS-Android-Smartphone-PC-Laptop-Game-Accessories.jpg_.png

This gamepad and variations of the Mocute 032 / 051 / 052 are small and can be held in one hand. All of them support a full range directional joystick. The Mocute series supports connection to PCs and can appear as a gamepad.

When using these, make sure the gamepad has good line of sight to your PC and you are no more than 2 meters away from it, or it may disconnect during use. The revision F versions of these controllers have much better bluetooth connectivity.

Variations of this controller come with built in rechargeable lithium batteries or take AAA batteries, depending on the size and form factor.

If your Mocute gamepad works in regular Steam to navigate menus or to play non-VR games, but doesn’t show in the SteamVR status window, follow our Setting up XOutput guide. You can then bind actions to the buttons using SteamVR controller remapping.

Otherwise, it is accessible in Unity as a regular gamepad via the Unity Input System and does not require additional software.

See other Mocute models here

Image Model Name Bluetooth Name Size XInput Mode Button Combo Steam Input Gamepad SteamVR Native Gamepad Use XOutput Purchase Link Note
Mini-Wireless-Bluetooth-Gamepad-VR-Controller-Remote-Pad-For-IOS-Android-Smartphone-PC-Laptop-Game-Accessories.jpg_.png Mocute 032 S Mocute-032_S23 Tiny A + Power WARNING: Discontinued INFO: By default, Bluetooth name is Mocute-032_S23-Auto. Can disconnect from PC if it loses line of sight. This is the older S version of the gamepad that was discontinued but may be still sold on some online stores.Startup gamepad by holding A then pressing power and releasing these buttons to activate XInput mode.Manufacturer usage Instructions
Mini-Wireless-Bluetooth-Gamepad-VR-Controller-Remote-Pad-For-IOS-Android-Smartphone-PC-Laptop-Game-Accessories.jpg_.png Mocute 032 F MOCUTE-032-HID-Y Tiny Y + Power Mini Wireless Bluetooth Gamepad This is the newer F version of this gamepad with better Bluetooth performance. Startup gamepad by holding Y then pressing power and releasing these buttons to activate XInput mode.Setup XOutput to make this gamepad emulate an Xbox360 controller for use in SteamVR.Manufacturer usage Instructions
Mocute-052-Game-Pad-Gamepad-Pubg-Controller-Mobile-Bluetooth-Joystick-For-iPhone-Android-Smart-TV-Box.jpg_.png Mocute 052Fe Mocute 052Fe-HID-Y Joycon Sized Y + Power Mocute 052 Game Pad INFO: By default, Bluetooth name is Mocute 052Fe-Auto. NOTE: Controller requires 2x AAA batteries - use lithium-ion USB-C rechargeables for better performance. This is the newer F version of this gamepad with better Bluetooth performance.1. Set switch to “Game” on side of gamepad.2. Startup gamepad by holding Y then pressing power and releasing these buttons to activate XInput mode.3. Pair PC to Mocute 052Fe-HID-Y bluetooth device.4. Setup XOutput to make this gamepad emulate an Xbox360 controller for use in SteamVR.Manufacturer usage Instructions
Mocute-Bluetooth-Remote-Controller-051-Phone-Controller-Self-Timer-Shutter-Gamepad-Wireless-Mouse-For-Smartphones.jpg_.png Mocute 051Fe Mocute-051Fe-HID-Y Joycon Sized Y + Power Mocute Bluetooth Remote Controller 051 INFO: By default, Bluetooth name is Mocute 051Fe-Auto. NOTE: Controller requires 2x AAA batteries - use lithium-ion USB-C rechargeables for better performance. Be careful not to break tabs on battery compartment when opening. TIP: When binding in XOutput, invert the Y axis to correct the stick direction when held vertically. NOTE: Select and Start buttons have a minor delay on this controller. This is the newer F version of this gamepad with better Bluetooth performance.1. Set switch to “Game” on side of gamepad.2. Startup gamepad by holding Y then pressing power and releasing these buttons to activate XInput mode.3. Pair PC to Mocute 052Fe-HID-Y bluetooth device.4. Setup XOutput to make this gamepad emulate an Xbox360 controller for use in SteamVR.Manufacturer Usage Instructions

Setting up XOutput

XOutput is a Windows app that is used to emulate an Xbox360 controller for gamepads that don’t have a native XInput mode but are still detected by Windows. It can bind to the button and axis inputs of any XInput or DirectInput gamepad and create a fully compatible virtual Xbox360 controller that shows up in SteamVR. You can then create controller bindings specifically for the Xbox360 gamepad from within SteamVR for each game you want to play.

  1. Pair your Bluetooth controller with your PC and made sure it shows up in the USB and Game Controllers window and is responsive to button presses.
  2. Download an unzip XOutput to your documents folder. This is the frontend that will manage the creation of the virtual Xbox360 controller.
  3. Download and install ViGEmBus driver to allow the creation of virtual controllers.
  4. Open XOutput and check your bluetooth controller highlights in the list of DirectInput devices when you press a button on it.
  5. Under the Game Controllers list, click Add controller.
  6. Click Edit next to the newly created controller.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 133911.png 7. Beside each button you wish to bind to, click configure and press that button or move the axis left/right or up/down to set the range of motion.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 133942.png 8. Click Save to apply the change for the binding and repeat for all the buttons your controller supports. 9. Under Other settings change the default name Controller to a memorable name that matches your controller and ensure Start emulation when controller is connected is checked.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 135033.png 10. Close the window and click the Start button next to your controller in the Game Controllers list. 11. Open SteamVR and see that the controller is now available in the SteamVR status window.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 135422.png
  1. Go to SteamVR Settings → Controllers → Test Controller
  2. Select Gamepad from the list and check the buttons highlight when you press each button and the axis works.

    Screenshot 2024-10-15 135318.png 14. Go to SteamVR Settings → Controllers → Manage Controller Bindings. 15. Select your SteamVR app from the list and choose Custom. 16. Click Edit this binding.

    Screenshot 2024-10-15 135705.png 17. Go back and select Gamepad as the controller type.

    Screenshot 2024-10-15 135908.png 18. Under Current Binding click edit and adjust the bindings for each button to suit your game.

    Screenshot 2024-10-15 135547.png 19. Click Save Personal Binding when done.

    Screenshot 2024-10-15 140400.png

LinYuvo Meteor Controller

LinYuvo-Meteor-Light-Key-Chain-Sized-Mini-Wireless-Controller-for-Switch-Lite-OLED-PC-Android-MacOS.jpg_.png

The LinYuvo Meteor controller has a similar form factor to 8-bitdo mini controllers, but at a cheaper price and a premium look and feel. It supports an 8-directional d-pad and 8 buttons.

On PC it can emulate an Xbox Gamepad or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, which show up in SteamVR as a native XInput devices without needing additional software. This allows the gamepad buttons to be rebound using SteamVR controller bindings. In Xbox Controller mode it supports vibration in compatible games.

LinYuvo Meteor Gamepad Pairing with Windows PC

  1. Make sure the controller is turned off by holding the Home button until the LEDs turn off.
  2. In Windows, go to the Bluetooth Settings.
  3. Click Add Device.

LinYuvo Meteor Xbox Controller Mode

  1. Ensure Xbox Wireless Controller is unpaired from the Bluetooth menu in Windows.
  2. Hold B+Home button to start PC XInput mode and wait for the center LED to flash yellow rapidly.
  3. Select Xbox Wireless Controller.

TIP: Xbox controller mode supports vibration if your SteamVR game also supports vibration output to the gamepad. Unity developers can use the Unity Input System to trigger gamepad vibration programmatically.

LinYuvo Meteor Switch Pro Controller Mode

  1. Ensure Pro Controller is unpaired from the Bluetooth menu in Windows.
  2. Hold Y+Home button to start Switch Pro Controller mode and wait for the center LED to flash blue rapidly.
  3. Select Pro Controller.

WARNING: Switch Pro controller mode does not support vibration.

Testing LinYuvo Meteor Gamepad

  1. Open the USB and Game Controllers dialog in Windows.
  2. Select Bluetooth XINPUT compatible input device.
  3. Click Properties and test the buttons work.
  4. Back in SteamVR, go to SteamVR Settings → Controllers → Test Controller → Gamepad and check the buttons work.

Screenshot 2024-10-04 110339.pngScreenshot 2024-10-04 110151.png

Nintendo Switch Joycons

TIP: This is the easiest and most reliable method to get small split controllers working which can be used alongside StretchSense gloves if a full set of gamepad buttons are required. This method will work with SteamVR games that have built in gamepad support, like No Man’s Sky and VRChat .

Configure JoyShockMapper

  1. Install ViGEmBus.
  2. Install HidHide.
  3. Download and unpack JoyShockMapper into your Documents folder.
  4. In HidHide in the applications tab, add apps to the list in order to hide gamepads (e.g Steam, Unity)
  5. In HidHide in the devices tab, check box beside devices you wish to hide then check “Enable device hiding”
  6. Launch JoyShockMapper and create a config file in the AutoLoad folder of JoyShockMapper as instructed via the console output (E.g Unity.txt). The name will match the title of the game reported in the JoyShockMapper console output.
  7. Copy the contents of GyroConfigs/xbox.txt into Unity.txt. This will setup a unified split controller for the left and right controller. If you are only using one of the Joycons you can set the other down and hold a single one.
  8. Launch Unity and while Unity is in focus, relaunch JoyShockMapper
  9. In both SteamVR and the Windows Game Controller config should see a virtual “XBOX 360 For Windows” controller which is an XInput Compatible controller that can be bound in Steam
  10. Use either the properties dialog for the controller or the SteamVR controller tester to validate the gamepad output works correctly

In Unity the controller shows up as an XInputControllerWindows XInput device. Pushing the buttons and sticks should show changes in the output when viewed in the Unity Input Debugger.

In Steam, ensure Steam Input is turned off for the Xbox360 Controller in the Steam settings. This will stop Steam from capturing the gamepad output to navigate the UI or emulate a mouse. Input will then be correctly forwarded to SteamVR games and will be remappable by creating a SteamVR Controller Binding profile for the gamepad, or by adding native support into the Unity game for Gamepads. If everything is correct a gamepad icon will appear in the SteamVR status window, alongside the StretchSense glove devices.

If you run into issues where the virtual gamepad stops responding, restart SteamVR and JoyShockMapper.

WARNING: Joycons may accidentally trigger index and thumb pinch gestures if your SteamVR game natively supports these for SteamVR Skeletal Input (e.g. VRChat). This may also happen if you train a gesture using the index finger and thumb pinch. We advise you to add a Joycon grip or avoid training this kind of gesture if you plan to use Joycons in addition to StretchSense gloves.

Configure BetterJoy

INFO: BetterJoy works well with first-party Nintendo Switch Joycons and allows the joycons to work in SteamVR so they can be remapped using the SteamVR controller bindings.

  1. Install ViGEmBus.
  2. Download and unpack BetterJoy into your Documents folder.
  3. Follow the BetterJoy instructions to connect your joycons.
  4. In both SteamVR and the Windows Game Controller config should an XInput Compatible controller that can be bound and remapped in SteamVR.
  5. Use either the properties dialog for the controller or the SteamVR controller tester (select the “Gamepad” controller to test) to validate the gamepad output works correctly.

JYS Switch Adapter

This is a Bluetooth USB adapter that can be used to pair a Nintendo Switch Joycon. It supports the Joycon held in one hand vertically. We recommend using this with the left hand Joycon as the physical layout is better. This may be more stable than pairing the Joycon directly with your PC via Bluetooth, however the Joycon will automatically unpair after a certain amount of inactivity.

31sIDH3BwoL._AC_.jpg

Amazon.com: Jys USB Multi System Controller Adapter: PC, PS3 Switch : Video Games

WARNING: When the switch is toggled to PC mode, the sticks will only appear as digital values and won’t have full scalar range of motion, so this approach may be unsuitable for some games.

  1. Slide switch to PC mode on the adapter.
  2. Plug adapter into your PC.
  3. Hold the pair button and wait for the LED to flash rapidly.
  4. Hold the sync button on the left Joycon until it enters pairing mode and the LED flashes green.
  5. Hold the Joycon near the adapter until a single LED turns a solid green and the USB adapter changes to a solid blue.
  6. Once paired, open the Setup USB Game Controllers menu in Windows and select the JYS Switch Adapter

Screenshot 2024-10-15 143221.png 7. Click Properties and check the buttons activate.

Screenshot 2024-10-15 143442.png 8. Follow our Setting Up XOutput guide to make the Joycon appear as an emulated Xbox360 controller in SteamVR.

INFO: The directional buttons on the left Joycon will map to the POV hat / Dpad input. You can re-assign these to other buttons on the emulated Xbox360 controller in XOutput.

Joycon Straps

2Pcs-Adjustable-Game-Bracelet-Strap-for-Nintendo-Switch-Joy-Con-Controller-Wrist-Dance-Band-Armband-for.jpg_.png

Use third-party wrist straps to attach the joycons to your wrists for hands free operation.

Third-Party Joycons

NOTE: Third-Party Nintendo Switch Joycons may work with JoyShockMapper , however this depends on their firmware and whether they can connect to a Windows PC. We will update this list with ones that StretchSense or the community on Discord has tested.

Android HID Gamepads

WARNING: Gamepads and accessories like these are not supported in Windows. They are typically marketed as “TikTok” rings or devices to emulate mouse and keyboard buttons. Usually when connected to a PC they will act like media keyboard buttons for adjusting volume or basic navigation, but aren’t bindable in SteamVR.

Wireless-Bluetooth-compatibile-Mobile-Selfie-Lazy-Artifac-Tiktok-Remote-Control-Ring-Mobile-Phone-Bluetooth-Controller.jpg_.png

Changelog Version Publish Date (YYYY/MM/DD)
Initial version. v1.0.0 2024/10/18

Original Confluence page

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