Control on a Mac with a controller
The Control 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: Native on Apple silicon through Steam and the Mac App Store, and Steam lists full controller support. Use the game's own scheme first. This layout is for a pad the game does not detect.
Yes, Control Ultimate Edition plays on a Mac with a controller. Remedy brought it to Apple silicon with its pad support, so for most people a PS5 or Xbox controller just works. This page is for the pad the game does not see, and for people who want the keyboard version's free mouse aim with the comfort of a controller. Control asks for a lot at once, shooting, levitating, dodging and throwing a filing cabinet in the same second, so the layout puts each under a different finger.
On this page: 9 sections
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Move and look. The left stick moves (W, A, S and D) and the right stick is the mouse at 18 in every direction.
- Shoot. The left trigger aims (right click) and the right trigger fires the Service Weapon (left click), the same order the game uses on a pad.
- Powers. Launch, the telekinesis throw (E), is the right bumper, because it is the ability you use most. Shield (Q) is the left bumper.
- Movement set. Jump and levitate (Space) are the bottom face button, evade (Left Control) the right, melee (V) the left, and use, seize and weapon switch (F) the top.
- Clicks and menus. Sprint (Shift) is the left stick click, and crouch and ground slam (C) the right. D-pad up opens the loadout (G), Back the map (Tab), and Options the pause menu.
Every power has its own finger, so none of them waits for another.
Tune it
- Aim that starts slow. Turn on Ramp-up on the four look rows: a short push moves the camera gently, and holding it speeds up. Small corrections on a target, fast turns when something is behind you.
- Gyro on a DualSense. In the Smart Preset Maker's options, Gyro fine aim adds tilt aiming on top of the stick. Stick for the big turn, wrist for the last few pixels.
- Levitate without holding. Levitation is a held jump. If holding the bottom button is tiring, add a second Space row on a back paddle set to Toggles on and off, and leave the face button as a plain jump.
- Weapon forms. F on the top button cycles forms. If you switch a lot, put F on a back paddle too.
Ramp-up on the look rows gives you a fine aim and a fast turn on one stick.
If Control does not see your pad
Climb this ladder, smallest step first:
- Check the Mac sees it. Look under Game Controllers in the System Settings sidebar. A pad that is not listed there will not reach any game.
- Flip Steam Input. On the Steam copy, change the Steam Input override for Control in Properties, Controller, and relaunch each way. More on Steam Input.
- Activate this layout. If the game still will not use the pad, play the keyboard version from it.
Do not run both: with the game reading the pad and the layout sending keys, one press does two things.
Control controller support: controller or keyboard
Steam's store page lists full controller support for Control, so the game was made to be played on a controller, menus included. A keyboard and mouse work as well, and the choice is yours. On a Mac, use the game's own controller support first when it sees your pad; this layout is for a pad it does not see, or for buttons it will not let you move. Full support listed means the controller is a first-class way to play Control.
From Steam's listing, checked in October 2026. Every game's listing is in Mac games with controller support.
If your controller is not working in Control
When Control does not react to your controller on a Mac, climb this ladder, smallest step first:
- Check that the Mac sees the controller. Open the gamepad tester and press a button. If nothing lights up there, the problem is the connection, and a controller that is connected but not working covers that first.
- Check the Steam Input setting for Control. In Steam, open Control, Properties, Controller, and change the Steam Input override. A controller that works in Steam but not in the game goes through each choice.
- Play it from keys. If Control still ignores the pad, activate this layout. It sends the keyboard and mouse controls Control already reads. Turn the game's own controller option off while it runs, or a press can arrive twice. The layout works whether or not Control ever sees the controller.
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 Control 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.
To check the controller itself first, the gamepad tester shows every button and stick live in your browser.
Control controls: every button and the key it sends
The Sends column is Control's default keyboard and mouse controls, as this layout expects them. If you changed a key in the game's settings, change the same row in InputConfig.
| Controller | Sends | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick left | A | Move left (A) |
| Left stick right | D | Move right (D) |
| Left stick up | W | Move forward (W) |
| Left stick down | S | Move back (S) |
| Right stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 18) | Look right |
| Right stick left | Mouse motion left (speed 18) | Look left |
| Right stick down | Mouse motion down (speed 18) | Look down |
| Right stick up | Mouse motion up (speed 18) | Look up |
| Right trigger | Left click | Fire weapon (LMB) |
| Left trigger | Right click | Aim (RMB) |
| RB / R1 | E | Launch / telekinesis (E) |
| B / Circle | Ctrl (Left) | Evade / dodge (Ctrl) |
| LB / L1 | Q | Shield (Q) |
| X / Square | V | Melee (V) |
| A / Cross | Space | Jump / levitate (Space) |
| L3 (left stick click) | Shift (Left) | Sprint (Shift) |
| Y / Triangle | F | Use / seize / switch weapon (F) |
| R3 (right stick click) | C | Crouch / ground slam (C) |
| D-pad up | G | Loadout / weapon forms (G) |
| Back / Share / Select | Tab | Map (Tab) |
| Start / Options | Escape | Pause 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 Control on Mac support controllers?
Yes. Steam lists full controller support for Control Ultimate Edition, which is native on Apple silicon Macs. This layout is for a pad the game does not detect, and for playing the keyboard version's mouse aim from a controller.
Can I use gyro aim in Control on a Mac?
This layout can add it: pick a DualSense or DualShock 4 in the Smart Preset Maker and turn on Gyro fine aim, which turns tilt into fine mouse movement on top of the stick.
Does Control have controller support?
Yes. Steam lists full controller support for Control, so every part of the game can be played on a controller.
Is Control better with a controller or a keyboard?
Both work. Steam lists full controller support for Control, so it was made to be played on a controller, and a keyboard and mouse work as well.
Why is my controller not working in Control on a Mac?
First check the Mac itself sees the controller, with the gamepad tester. If it does and Control still ignores it, change the game's Steam Input override in its Steam Properties, and if that does not help, activate the Control layout in InputConfig, which sends the game's keyboard and mouse controls from the controller.
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.
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