Questions
How to connect an 8BitDo controller to a Mac
Set the switch on the back to A, hold the pairing button until the LED blinks fast, and pick the controller in System Settings, Bluetooth. A is Apple mode, and in it the pad shows up as a proper game controller with full button support. Models without a switch hold a button while powering on to pick a mode; the manual for your model says which.
Steps
- Set the mode switch to A.
- Hold the pairing button until the LED blinks fast.
- Open System Settings, Bluetooth, and click Connect.
The modes
8BitDo pads pretend to be different controllers depending on the switch. A is Apple (MFi), the one you want on a Mac. S is Switch, which macOS 13 and later also reads. X is Xbox and D is DirectInput, which macOS does not treat as game controllers, though InputConfig reads both directly. If a pad is paired in the wrong mode, the Mac may list it and games may still ignore it; forget it, flip the switch, pair again.
Wired
Most 8BitDo pads work over USB-C as well, in the same mode rules. The Ultimate 2C wired model has no Apple mode; InputConfig reads it directly in any mode, and holding Y while plugging in puts it in Switch mode, which macOS reads too.
Games
In A mode, native Mac games that support controllers see an 8BitDo pad as a normal gamepad. For games and apps without controller support, InputConfig maps it, with an 8BitDo FPS layout built in. The 8BitDo page covers the models one by one.
Questions
Which mode should an 8BitDo controller be in on a Mac?
A, for Apple. Switch mode also works on macOS 13 and later. X and D modes are only read by InputConfig.
Does the 8BitDo Pro 2 work on a Mac?
Yes, in A mode over Bluetooth or USB.
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