Guides: real controller setups on a Mac
InputConfig is completely free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.
These are longer pieces for a specific person or a specific job, and I wrote each one to be followed from start to finish. Most end with a preset you can download and open in the app, and every one works with the free app from the Mac App Store. If you are new, start with your first preset, or let the preset chooser pick a guide for your device.
Accessibility and adaptive setups
Setting up a Mac for an elderly parent
Setting up a Mac for an older parent: a bigger pointer and text, an easier mouse or a game controller in its place, dictation on a button, and a free layout.
Adaptive controllers that work on a Mac
Which adaptive controllers work on a Mac and how each shows up: PlayStation Access, Xbox Adaptive Controller, QuadStick, switch interfaces, AbleNet Hitch.
The PlayStation Access Controller on a Mac
The PlayStation Access Controller on a Mac, free: every socket read by name over USB-C or Bluetooth, and its three profiles switched and edited.
The Xbox Adaptive Controller on a Mac
Use the Xbox Adaptive Controller as a Mac keyboard and mouse: pairing, what its 19 switch ports send, external switches and joysticks, and a free layout.
How to use a Mac without a mouse or keyboard
Use a Mac with no mouse or keyboard: the macOS built-ins first (Voice Control, Mouse Keys, head pointer), then a controller or switch for pointer and keys.
A mouse alternative for tremor and short reach on a Mac
No SteadyMouse on a Mac? Set up a game controller for tremor, arthritis, or short reach: wide deadzones, a slow curve, hold-to-click, and a free preset.
One, two, or four switches
One switch can do three things on a Mac: press, hold, double press. Layouts for one to four switches, USB switch interfaces, and macOS Switch Control.
Use a Mac with one hand
Run a Mac with one hand, left or right: a single Joy-Con as pointer and keys, a controller beside a mouse, Sticky Keys for shortcuts, mouse buttons with jobs.
One-stick driving, set up properly
Drive in keyboard-driven Mac racing games from one joystick: push to go, pull to brake, snap back twice for reverse. For the Access Controller or any stick.
Computer access on a Mac: assessing and setting up a client
How OTs and AT specialists assess and set up computer access on a Mac: a live input check, choosing inputs, a setup built in layers, and a clean handover.
Work, play, and music
Assistive technology on a Mac for students with physical disabilities
For special education teachers, OTs and school AT teams: switches, adaptive controllers and gamepads as mouse and keys on a school Mac. Free, no account.
A controller for a child on a Mac
Set up a game controller for a child on a Mac: pads for small hands, Minecraft, Roblox and browser games, two players, and a stop the child can reach.
Using a joystick as your Mac's mouse
Use a joystick as a mouse on a Mac: a joystick mouse, a USB or adaptive joystick, a chin or mouth stick. A slow, precise pointer and easy clicks, free.
A MIDI controller as a control surface
Turn a MIDI keyboard, pad controller or knob box into Mac shortcuts, a volume fader and a DAW remote while it keeps playing. Free, no drivers.
Gamepad to MIDI: a game controller as a MIDI instrument
Turn a PS5, Xbox or Switch controller into a free MIDI controller on a Mac: notes on buttons, pitch bend and CC on sticks and triggers, into Logic or Ableton.
A free Stream Deck alternative from a gamepad or MIDI pad
A free Stream Deck alternative for Mac from a game controller, MIDI pad or foot pedal you own: OBS scenes and mute on F13 to F19, Siri Shortcuts, spoken cues.
Play any Mac game with a controller
Play Mac games that ignore controllers with a PS5, Xbox or Switch pad: ready layouts for 450+ games and apps, aim tuning, gyro, and fixes for doubled input.
Working from a controller
Email, documents and browsing on a Mac from a game controller: two chord layers for editing and apps, dictation for writing, and a free preset to download.
A macro deck from a numpad, MIDI pad, or controller
Build a free macro pad on a Mac from a numpad, MIDI pad, game controller or F13 to F19 keys: app launchers, timed macros and typed phrases.
A Mac on the TV, run from the couch with a controller
Run a Mac mini or MacBook on a TV from the sofa with any game controller: web, YouTube, Netflix, Plex and VLC, volume and typing. Free, open source.
A video editing controller from a gamepad or MIDI knobs
Use a game controller, a MIDI knob or a Contour ShuttlePRO as a video editing controller for Final Cut Pro, Premiere or Resolve on a Mac. Free preset.
A game controller as a shortcut remote for drawing and photo editing
Use a PS5, Xbox, 8BitDo or single Joy-Con as a free left-hand shortcut remote for drawing and photo editing on a Mac: tools, brush size, undo, modifiers.
Anki from a controller
Anki on a Mac from any controller: the free built-in preset, Space for show and Good, Again, Hard, Easy on the face buttons, and 8BitDo, PS5, Xbox setups.
A controller for DOSBox, ScummVM, and retro games on a Mac
Controller mapping for DOSBox, ScummVM, browser arcade ports and old Mac games that only know a keyboard, plus where each emulator keeps its pad settings.
Control stage lights with a game controller
Run DMX lights from an Xbox or PlayStation controller on a Mac. The triggers become dimmer faders and the buttons become scenes in QLC+ or Lightkey.
Game controller to OSC on a Mac
Send OSC from an Xbox or PlayStation controller on a Mac: InputConfig sends MIDI, and the free Chataigne turns it into OSC for Resolume or TouchDesigner.
A game controller as a QLab GO button
Run QLab cues from an Xbox or PlayStation controller on a Mac: GO, next and previous cue, Pause All, and Panic over MIDI, even with QLab in the background.
Auto clicking on a Mac, from setup to stop
Set up an auto clicker on a Mac step by step: the free built-in preset, the gap in ms, random variation, a click limit, a fixed point, and how to stop it.
MIDI on a Mac: the complete guide
MIDI on a Mac from start to finish: connect a keyboard, find the settings, test it, fix it, route MIDI between apps, and turn MIDI into shortcuts.
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