How to use a Switch Pro Controller on PC

This guide will show you how to use a Switch Pro Controller on a Windows 10 PC. Windows 10 comes with built-in support for Switch Pro Controllers so it will work with the majority of games that support controllers without additional drivers. Games can be launched through Steam to enable controller support in any game or application on PC. The Switch Pro Controller can be used alongside Steam for further features and configuration options; Steam can easily be used to map the analog sticks to mouse inputs making mouse-focused games such as first-person shooters much easier to play.

BetterJoy can be installed to use a Switch Pro Controller for Windows 7, the controller will emulate an Xbox 360 Controller making it compatible with all games that support controllers.

Required Downloads:

Steam (Recommended)

  • Steam features built-in native support for Switch Pro Controllers
  • You can enable controller support for any game or emulator by adding Non-Steam games to your Steam library
  • Easily map keyboard keys and mouse inputs to your controller

USB-C to USB-A Cableicon-amazon

  • The Switch Pro Controller requires a USB-C cable for a wired connection to your PC
  • A USB-C cable is required to charge the Switch Pro Controller
  • USB-C to USB-C cable can also be used if your computer features a USB-C port

8BitDo Switch Controller Bluetooth Adaptericon-amazon

  • A Bluetooth adapter or dongle is required to connect the Switch Pro Controller to your PC wirelessly
  • The 8BitDo adapter will automatically configure your controller and emulate the Xbox 360 Controller
  • It is the best hassle-free solution, no additional drivers or apps such as BetterJoyforCemu required
  • Works with all games and Steam out-of-the-box
  • Works with PC, mac OS, Switch and Android (via OTG cable)
  • Can also be used to connect Dualshock and Xbox controllers on all compatible platforms (despite the name)

Connecting Switch Pro Controller in Windows 10

In Windows 10, your Switch Pro Controller should connect and work via USB.switch pro controller pc windows control panel

The Switch Pro Controller can be paired with your PC via Bluetooth and work wirelessly.

  1. On your PC, go to [Settings] -> [Bluetooth & other devices]
  2. Select [Add Bluetooth or other device]ps4 controller bluetooth add device windows 10
  3. Select [Bluetooth]
  4. Select your Pro Controller from the list of available Bluetooth devicesswitch pro controller pc windows bluetooth
  5. Your Switch Pro Controller will be paired with your PC and work wirelesslyswitch pro controller pc windows control panel

BetterJoyforCemu

Windows 7 is not natively compatible with the Switch Pro Controller, however BetterJoyforCemu by Davidobot can be installed to emulate an Xbox 360 Controller for Windows making it compatible with virtually any game that supports controllers. These drivers can also be installed on Windows 10 if you prefer to emulate the Xbox 360 Controller or if you’re simply having connectivity issues with the alleged “native” support. The BetterJoy driver enables support for Switch Pro, Joy-Cons and the SNES Controller for Switch on Windows. They will appear as Xbox 360 Controllers and be fully compatible with all games that support controllers. BetterJoyforCemu does have some compatibility issues with Steam (Big Picture Mode) that need to be ironed out using HID Guardian before they will play nice together.

Installation InstructionsDownload Link
FAQ & ProblemsHID Guardian / Steam

Enable Controller Support with Steam

Not all PC games support controllers and some can only be played with a keyboard & mouse. Controller support can be added to nearly any game with great results using Steam’s built-in controller configurations. This makes first-person shooters and other mouse-focused games very playable with controllers.

  1. Launch Steam
  2. In the top-left corner of the window, select [Steam] -> [Settings] -> [Controller]controller steam settings
  3. Select [General Controller Settings] -> Check [Xbox Configuration Support]controller xbox 360 windows nintendo switch steam
  4. From the main Steam window, select [Library] -> [Add Game] at the bottom leftcontroller steam add game
  5. Select the executable .exe file for your game
  6. Select your game and click [Controller Configuration] below the [Play] buttoncontroller configuration steam add game
  7. The controller will appear as an Xbox 360 Controller if you are using BetterJoyswitch pro controller pc steam config

Here, you can map the controller buttons to near endless possibility of keyboard or mouse functions. Additional options such as Toggle and Rapid Fire can be found under [Show Activators].controller configuration steam game map buttons keys

You can map your analog stick to the relative mouse movement, with additional settings such as sensitivity available. This makes it very easy to setup your controller for mouse-based games like first-person shooters.controller configuration steam game map stick mouse

You can also map your analog stick to 8-way directions using WASD or Arrow keys.controller configuration steam game map wasd arrow keys directional

Launch your game and your custom controller configuration will be active while the game is running.controller configuration steam add game sims 4

If your controller works in the Steam Settings but not in game:

  1. In Steam, launch Big Picture Mode from the top right iconsteam big picture mode controller
  2. Select [Library] then select your gameswitch pro controller pc steam big picture
  3. Select [Manage Shortcut] -> [Controller Options]steam big picture mode controller options
  4. Ensure [Allow Desktop Configuration in Launcher] is uncheckedsteam big picture mode controller options desktop mode disable

PC Games and Emulation

Credits