Tutorial:Playing with a controller

Here is a tutorial on how to use a game controller (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.) for playing Minecraft.

There are two main editions of Minecraft, this is important because controller support varies across both editions.

• For Minecraft: Bedrock Edition, the game officially supports game controllers. You can play the game with controllers directly on your PC, consoles, and mobile devices, either wired or wireless, and without the need to use third-party tools.
• This is unlike Minecraft: Java Edition, the game does not natively support game controllers. In order to use controllers for Minecraft: Java Edition, there are two main workarounds: using Steam as a middleware to provide controller support for the game, or using community mods.

Minecraft: Bedrock Edition features controller buttons that are simple to remember. The layout is similar to those in first-person video games, so if you're familiar with that, you should be able to learn them pretty quickly. Here is a brief list of actions you can do in Minecraft:

• You can navigate through menus pressing buttons or using the thumbsticks.
• You can move your player character moving left thumb, and move the camera moving right thumb.
• You can jump pressing or buttons.
• You can sprint moving left thumb forward two times.
• You can attack entities or destroy blocks pressing button.
• You can interact or place blocks pressting button.
• You can sneak or fly down pressing or buttons.
• You can open up crafting and inventory menu pressing or and or buttons.
• You can cycle your item left and right in the hotbar pressing and buttons.
• You can drop your item pressing button.
• You can toggle your perspective pressing button.
• You can open the chat pressing button.
• You can select emote for your character pressing button.

For full list of controller buttons mapping, see Controls § Controller.

Most controls are also shown as hints on the HUD and in menu screens, which can be toggled.

The joysticks limit camera movement to a set speed, which makes it impossible to do quick turns in dire situations. To allow quick camera movement, it is recommended to set the "Camera Sensitivity" option to a higher value. Items in GUIs are also moved using the joystick with a cursor at a set movement speed, which may be increased with the "Controller Cursor Sensitivity" option.

A controller allows to instantly empty the hotbar while in the Creative inventory with , which needs to be enabled in the options ("Clear Hotbar").

You can click the thumbnail images on the right to enlarge.

A game controller can be connected to any device supporting Minecraft, and the game will recognize the controller inputs to let you play. Consoles are connected to a controller by default, and provide guides to connect them. Windows and mobile devices may connect to a controller using Bluetooth or USB, however the experience may be subpar compared to consoles (for example, when using a controller other than Xbox controllers on Windows, system UI navigations are not fully supported).

Some operating systems, such as Windows and Android, might have some controller inputs bound to system functions (such as the home button closing the game). It is recommended to rebind these controls, or rebind interfering Minecraft controls instead.

You can connect your DualShock 4 or DualSense controllers into your Windows computer or mobile device. However, parts of Windows system UI navigation using this controller is not supported for most actions, including Windows on-screen keyboard (as you may have trouble sending chat messages). The game can still be played without the need of additional software.

Simply plug in the controller into a USB port on the device by using micro USB cable for PS4 and USB type C cable for PS5. Some mobile devices may require an additional connector cable.

This only works if your computer has Bluetooth enabled.

1. Press and hold the Share and the PlayStation buttons on the controller until it starts flashing. When the controller starts flashing, the controller is ready to be paired.
2. Open "Bluetooth & devices" on the Windows settings, or open the Bluetooth settings on mobile.
3. Click "Add device" button, and in the menu, click the "Bluetooth" button (not required on mobile).
4. Wait until "Wireless Controller" appears on the device list, and then connect.
5. Your controller is now connected.

You can connect your Xbox controllers into your device. They are natively supported for Windows, so you can use the controllers for system UI navigation, and additionally, the Xbox button opens Xbox Game Bar overlay while in-game.

Simply plug in the controller into a USB port on the device by using micro USB cable for Xbox One controllers and USB type C cable for Xbox Wireless Controllers.

The first-gen Xbox One controllers do not have Bluetooth. For those controllers, you need a Wireless Adapter for Windows.

Make sure that the controller is not paired to any nearby Xbox consoles, or that the nearby consoles are unplugged, as that may turn the console on.

1. Turn on the controller by holding the Xbox button.
2. Hold the Pair button on the top of the controller in the middle until the controller flashes quickly.
3. Open "Bluetooth & devices" on the Windows settings, or the Bluetooth settings on mobile.
4. Select "Xbox Wireless Controller" in the menu of available devices.
5. Your controller is now connected.

You can connect a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to your device. However, like PlayStation controllers, parts of Windows system UI navigation using this controller is not supported for most actions, including Windows on-screen keyboard (as you may have trouble sending chat messages). The game can still be played without the need of additional software.

This only works if your computer has Bluetooth enabled.

1. Desynchronize the controller from other devices by holding down the "Sync" button for a few seconds until the indicator lights start flashing. The "Sync" button is located next to the USB port at the top of the controller.
2. Open "Bluetooth & devices" on the Windows settings, or the Bluetooth settings on mobile.
3. Click "Add device" button, and in the menu, click the "Bluetooth" button (not required on mobile).
4. Wait until "Pro Controller" appears on the device list, and then connect. Make sure the controller is in sync mode by pressing a button on the controller.
5. Your controller is now connected.

This method uses Steam as the middleware between Minecraft: Java Edition and your controller to support playing the game. As such, it's required that you download the Steam client if you don't have it in your computer.

Here's simple step by step of setting up a controller in Steam to play Minecraft: Java Edition on your computer:

1. Open the Steam client, and then navigate to "Library".
2. Add Minecraft Launcher as a non-Steam game by clicking the "Add a Game" button, then click "Add a Non-Steam Game".
   

   

3. Find and select Minecraft Launcher from the list of programs. If its missing from the list, you may click "Browse..." and find the Minecraft Launcher executable (MinecraftLauncher.exe) in the program files.
   

   

   

4. Right click Minecraft Launcher in the game list, then click the "Properties..." button.
   

   

5. Navigate to Controller settings, and then click the underlined "Controller Configurator".
   

   

6. In controller configurator, you may configure your controller layout from a set of premade templates provided by Steam.

   Since Minecraft: Java Edition does not support controller natively, it is recommended to choose "Keyboard (WASD) and Mouse" template. You can also browse for other presets made by Steam users.

   

   

7. Start the game through Steam. You can now use your controller to play Minecraft: Java Edition!

Well-known console controllers, such as Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch controllers, are supported on Steam. The first-party Steam Controller is also supported. Other controllers may be supported, but you may need additional setup and configuration.

This method only supports Minecraft Launcher from the official website (specifically the "Windows Legacy" version as stated on the website), and not from Microsoft Store. However, you can try out the next method using community mods.

The contents of this page are not supported by Mojang Studios or the Minecraft Wiki.

 

This method is the most effective and reliable way to play Minecraft: Java Edition with game controllers, as mods can directly add controller support into the game itself. There are many community-made mods exist to enable controller support for Minecraft: Java Edition, such as Controllable, Controlify, and MidnightControls. In order to use these mods, you'd need to install a mod loader such as Forge or Fabric.

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