Questions
How to use a game controller as a mouse on a Mac
macOS will not do this on its own, but a free app does: InputConfig turns the left stick into the pointer, the right stick into scrolling, the triggers into clicks, and any button into any key. Pair the controller, pick the built-in Mouse + Scroll preset, press Activate, and the pointer follows the stick.
Steps
- Pair the controller with the Mac.
- Install InputConfig and grant it Accessibility when it asks.
- Pick the Mouse + Scroll preset and press Activate.
What the preset does
Left stick moves the pointer with a speed curve, so a small push is precise and a full push is fast. Right stick scrolls, in both directions. Right trigger left-clicks, left trigger right-clicks, and the face buttons carry Escape, Return, Tab, and Space so dialogs can be worked without a keyboard. The Desktop Navigation preset adds Mission Control, the app switcher, and Spotlight on top.
Making it precise
Three things turn a controller into a good mouse rather than a passable one. A deadzone on the stick so the pointer does not drift when you let go. A curve that starts slow, so fine moves are easy; the editor offers linear, smooth, and aggressive. And a slow-pointer chord: hold a bumper and the stick moves at half speed for the small target. All three are on the stick's row.
The DualSense and DualShock touchpad
If you have a PlayStation controller, the touchpad is a real trackpad on a Mac through InputConfig: one finger moves, tap to click, two fingers scroll. It is more natural than a stick for a lot of people. The touchpad page has the setup.
Who this is for
People who cannot use a mouse, first. I built the app because my hands do not work well, and a stick under a thumb is what I use. The Mac without a keyboard guide is the full setup. It is also just pleasant from a sofa, with a media preset for the TV.
Questions
Can a PS5 controller be used as a mouse on a Mac?
Yes, with InputConfig: the stick or the touchpad moves the pointer and the triggers click.
Is there a free app to use a controller as a mouse on Mac?
InputConfig is free and open source, with a Mouse + Scroll preset built in.
Can I click and drag with a controller?
Yes. Hold the click trigger and move the stick, or turn the click into a toggle so one press holds it.
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