Some Users Experiencing Issues With Game Controllers in macOS Monterey 12.3

[MacRumors]

Following the macOS 12.3 update that was released on March 14, some Mac users have run into issues with game controllers after installing the new software.

Complaints on the Apple Developer Forums and Reddit suggest that some Xbox, PlayStation, and other third-party controllers are not functioning over Bluetooth. Not all users appear to be affected, as some people have said that their controllers are operating as expected, so it's not quite clear what's going on.

Those who are experiencing problems connect their controllers to their Macs using Bluetooth and then are unable to use the controllers in Mac games. Some with problematic controllers have been able to use the controllers on the web, but for some, the controllers do not work at all. From the Apple Developer Forums:

Also experiencing the same issue. My Nimbus + Controller won't work with Apple Arcade after updating to Monterey 12.3. I'm able to connect via bluetooth, but none of the buttons work. I'm sure there are a lot of Mac Gamers with the same issue and hopefully Apple fixes this soon.

Other users have been able to get their controllers working for some games, but not others:

Same problems here. My controller is working in some games, but not everywhere:

- macOS: 12.3 (21E230)
- Xbox Wireless Controller:
- Manufacture ID: 0x045E
- Product ID: 0x02FD
- Firmware: 9.0.3
- Additional type: Gamepad

Working in apps:
- Steam
- Pac-Man Party
- The Pathless

NOT working in apps:
- Sonic racing
- Asphalt 8+
- Agent Intercept

Those with controllers experiencing issues have attempted to remove the controller from the Bluetooth menu and re-connect it, but that does not appear to fix the problem. There is no known fix for problematic controllers at this time, so it may be something that Apple has to address in a future software update.

Article Link: Some Users Experiencing Issues With Game Controllers in macOS Monterey 12.3

 

[Populus]

Thank you for publishing this on MacRumors frontpage, Juli, this will give more visibility to the issue

 

[msfdc]

Thank you for publishing this on MacRumors frontpage, Juli, this will give more visibility to the issue

Booting into safe mode solved the problem for me.
Once you have the controller works properly under safe mode, you can reboot the system and the controller should work fine in normal mode.

 

[ImperialForces]

Apple needs to double down on gaming. Most of the people I know who would never buy a Mac typically bring up “Macs can’t play games”.

 

[Realityck]

Most of the people I know who would never buy a Mac typically bring up “Macs can’t play games”.

Think about what you just typed, does that make a lot of sense to ask their opinions about gaming on Macs?
It exists just not to the same abundance as platforms that game vendors specifically target.

 

[stiligFox]

Man, 12.3 has been a mess... completely borking Navi GPUs, borking M1 Macs with replaced logic boards, and now this...

 

[RedTheReader]

I didn’t know these controllers’ support was baked into the OS. I recently found out that VRR didn’t work on macOS prior to Monterey, and while I was upset that it took so long to gain support, I’m glad they included it eventually. It’s the same with these controllers. I wish we had the latest OpenGL and Vulkan to improve game availability, though.

 

[scotty321]

The Mac has games?

 

[Treq]

I have had problems with my steam controller staying connected even with a cable attached.

 

[Treq]

The Mac has games?

Not as many as Windows, but yes and on my Mac studio Max they play buttery smooth. Downloaded shadow of the tomb raider and played it at 4k with ultra settings with no issues whatsoever for about an hour. When I was done I checked how hot the chassis was… cool to the touch. Like cold metal. Not even a little warm. My 2018 mini with an i7 would be too hot to handle if I watched a 4k movie for 15 min.

 

[Rychiar]

This Mac OS update is awful. I still can't open smart objects in adobe and they did and update today too

 

[Icaras]

I haven’t tried it yet on this update, but does anyone know if Steam has fixed compatibility for Xbox Series x/s controllers yet? It’s been years…

 

[StupidOpinion]

apple is terrible with updates. first the bricking and now this?

windows 10 > mac os

at least when microsoft releases bad updates, it's only once or twice a year.

 

[Nugat Trailers]

I didn’t know these controllers’ support was baked into the OS. I recently found out that VRR didn’t work on macOS prior to Monterey, and while I was upset that it took so long to gain support, I’m glad they included it eventually. It’s the same with these controllers. I wish we had the latest OpenGL and Vulkan to improve game availability, though.

Yes, the XBox Elite II and the DualShock 4 controller were added in Catalina, and the DualSense, XBox Series X/S and Luna were added... I think in January or February last year.

Haptic support was added in Big Sur as well, for those that enjoy rumble.

 

[Kabeyun]

For me, Monterey was a nightmare. I don’t know if it ties into this issue, but Bluetooth connectivity was terrible, with progressive keyboard lag, and peripherals losing and regaining connectivity spontaneously, including my mouse. The problem even extended to hard ports, with a TB3 volume repeatedly unmounting and remounting all by itself – which is a particular issue when it contains the Photos library! Went back to Big Sur and all’s well again. I’m staying with it until forced otherwise.

 

[Lestdog]

Games!! On a Mac!!??

 

[ThinkBrother]

Not sure if this is related but...

12.3 update somehow messed up bluetooth connectivity with non-apple devices.

E.g. Magic keyboard/mouse and Airpods are connecting fine. As soon as you connect headphones (Beats Solo3) the laptop starts resetting bluetooth connection every two/three minutes.

Deleting and recreating com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file and resetting Bluetooth process helps somewhat.

Although I saw reports that the problem keeps reappearing.

 

[amartinez1660]

Booting into safe mode solved the problem for me.
Once you have the controller works properly under safe mode, you can reboot the system and the controller should work fine in normal mode.

Is this general problem somehow also related to the following: every time I connect the controller I have to connect the keyboard via the lightning cable or else every key press can get laggy as hell, the keystrokes can appear several seconds later or outright skipped.

I realize it when I’m debugging or testing where I’m playing with an Xbox Wireless Controller game pad and typing intermittently, doesn’t happen quite always but it’s more than 50/50 chance. Have reset the Bluetooth many times, but also a lot of things are connected to it: full-size magic Keyboard, trackpad, AirPods plus I guess all the Continuity channels that I guess it opens to communicate with the other iDevices.

 

[erikkfi]

Apple Arcade is on Mac? Is it any good?

 

[macduke]

As a long-time Mac user, I'm more surprised that this was ever noticed.

 

[Dorje Sylas]

As a long-time Mac user, I'm more surprised that this was ever noticed.

This can quickly become an accessibility concern. Especially for those of us who build more than just games, and offer support for alternant input methods. Especially adaptive controllers that piggyback on the Xbox system, or specialized modifications of other gamepads. As far as I'm aware, Apple has yet to authorize an MFi adaptive "game" controller system.

 

[msfdc]

This can quickly become an accessibility concern. Especially for those of us who build more than just games, and offer support for alternant input methods. Especially adaptive controllers that piggyback on the Xbox system, or specialized modifications of other gamepads. As far as I'm aware, Apple has yet to authorize an MFi adaptive "game" controller system.

In fact there are more games available on macOS since Apple silicon enabled users to install and run iOS games natively on Mac.

 

[MacsRgr8]

In fact there are more games available on macOS since Apple silicon enabled users to install and run iOS games natively on Mac.

Theoretically, yes.
But many developers don't enable their iOS apps to run on M1 equipped Macs (and for good reason).
Are they out there? Sure. But is your favourite iOS app supported on macOS? YMMV.

 

[OliOliOliOli]

I got this problem this weekend when I tried xCloud.
I tested first on my MBP then switched on my iPhone 7+ as Xbox said that don't work on this old device and then switched back to my MBP it was impossible to reconnect the controller on without erasing the “ previous Bluetooth connection remember “.

I tried AAA games, and they all worked perfectly on my 7+.

 

[sudo-sandwich]

Think about what you just typed, does that make a lot of sense to ask their opinions about gaming on Macs?
It exists just not to the same abundance as platforms that game vendors specifically target.

Apple makes it difficult. They're almost hostile to Mac devs. Even the games made for Mac tend to break after a couple of macOS updates. Meanwhile Microsoft actively reduces the number of games available for Mac by buying out game studios and entering exclusive deals, though that's more to compete against Sony. Apple probably doesn't care either since iPhone gaming is bigger than all the above.

Also, didn't even know Xbox game controllers worked with Mac. Used to have to use weird software for that.