App

IINA from a game controller

Download InputConfig on the Mac App StoreThe IINA 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: IINA reads keys from its active key binding set, chosen in IINA's settings. This layout follows the common Space, F and arrow keys.

Yes, a game controller works as a remote for IINA on a Mac: play on the big button, full screen next to it, seek on the stick and D-pad, volume on the bumpers. IINA is the Mac-native player many people switch to from VLC, and the remote is the same. It follows the common Space, F and arrow keys.

The layout, control by control

Click a control. Labels:

How the layout thinks

  • Play and full screen. Play and pause (Space) on the bottom face button, full screen (F) on the right.
  • Seek. The left stick and the D-pad seek with the arrow keys.
  • Volume. Command Up and Command Down Arrow on the bumpers.
  • Leave full screen. Escape on Options, and the right trigger clicks.

IINA reads keys from its active key binding set, chosen in IINA's settings. Play, seek, volume and full screen are under one thumb.

If full screen or volume does nothing

IINA lets you choose a key binding set, including ones modeled on other players. Climb this ladder, smallest step first:

  1. Look at the active set. Open IINA's Key Bindings settings and see which keys it uses for full screen and volume.
  2. Change the matching rows. Record those keys on the rows here.
  3. Pick a VLC-style set. It keeps this layout and the VLC layout interchangeable.
  • Subtitles. IINA's subtitle keys on the stick clicks.
  • Everywhere. System Function media outputs make play and pause work from any app.

The key binding set decides everything beyond Space and the arrows. Match the rows to IINA's active key binding set, and every button works.

Get it in two clicks

  1. Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
  2. Search for IINA and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
  3. 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

The IINA preset in InputConfig, drawn on a DualSense Edge with each control labeled with the key or action it sends.
Figure 1. The IINA preset drawn on a DualSense Edge in InputConfig's Live Visualizer. For example, A / Cross is labeled Play / Pause (Space), and B / Circle is labeled Fullscreen (F). Any other controller shows the same layout on its own drawing.
ControllerSendsWhat it does
A / CrossSpacePlay / Pause (Space)
B / CircleFFullscreen (F)
Left stick leftLeftSeek back (Left)
Left stick rightRightSeek forward (Right)
LB / L1Command (Left), UpVolume up
RB / R1Command (Left), DownVolume down
D-pad leftLeftSeek back
D-pad rightRightSeek forward
Right triggerLeft clickClick
Start / OptionsEscapeExit fullscreen (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 match VLC?

The idea and most keys are the same. IINA's key binding sets decide the rest.

Download InputConfig on the Mac App StoreCompletely 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