Read comics from a game controller
The Comic Reader layout is built into InputConfig, 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.
On a Mac: Works in comic readers that turn pages with the arrow keys, which is most of them, browser readers included. The zoom rows send plain plus and minus. In Preview, zoom needs Command, so set those two rows' output to Command plus and Command minus.
Yes, you can read comics and manga on a Mac from a game controller: next page on the right shoulder, previous on the left, and the same on the D-pad for whichever thumb is closer. It works in readers that turn pages with the arrow keys, which is most of them. A comic reader is the best sofa app there is, and nothing about it needs a keyboard again.
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Turn pages. Next page on the right bumper and D-pad right, previous on the left bumper and D-pad left. All four send the arrow keys.
- Scroll. Both sticks scroll a tall page up and down. The left stick also moves the pointer sideways, at speed 14.
- Face buttons. Page down on the bottom button (Space), zoom in on the left (=), zoom out on the right (minus).
- Menus. Fit and fullscreen on Back (F), menu on Start (Escape).
Pages turn from the shoulders or the D-pad, so either thumb can read on its own.
Make it yours
- Manga direction. Swap the outputs of the next and previous page rows, so right-to-left reads naturally.
- Zoom in Preview. Preview zooms with Command, so set the two zoom rows' output to Command plus and Command minus.
- A buzz on the page turn. Turn on Vibrate in a page row's Options. Some people love it.
- Browser readers. If a site turns pages with other keys, pick those keys in the page rows' output menu.
For manga, swap the two page rows and you read right to left.
Check that it works
- You: Open a comic, then press Activate on this preset.
- InputConfig: Sends the arrow keys, scrolls and zoom keys in the table to the reader in front.
- Check: Press the right bumper and the page turns. If it does not, the reader wants other keys. Change the page rows.
If the bumper turns the page, the rest of the layout works in that reader.
Get it in two clicks
- Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
- Search for Comic Reader and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
- Press Activate. Every row can be changed afterwards: the editor's Scan button rebinds any control the moment you touch it.
Every binding, as a table
| Controller | Sends | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| D-pad right | Right | Next page (Right arrow) |
| D-pad left | Left | Previous page (Left arrow) |
| RB / R1 | Right | Next page |
| LB / L1 | Left | Previous page |
| Left stick down | Scroll down | Scroll down |
| Left stick up | Scroll up | Scroll up |
| Right stick down | Scroll down | Scroll down |
| Right stick up | Scroll up | Scroll up |
| Left stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 14) | Cursor right |
| Left stick left | Mouse motion left (speed 14) | Cursor left |
| A / Cross | Space | Page down (Space) |
| X / Square | = | Zoom in (=) |
| B / Circle | - | Zoom out (-) |
| Back / Share / Select | F | Fit / fullscreen (F) |
| Start / Options | Escape | Menu (Esc) |
Button names follow the Xbox / PlayStation pair shown in the editor, so A / Cross is the bottom face button on either pad. On a Switch Pro Controller the bottom button is labeled B; the mapping still fires on position.
Questions
Does this work in Books or Kindle?
Books turns pages with the arrows, so yes. Kindle has its own page.
Related
Completely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.
Updated