What does this controller button do?

[grommet]

 

[MildredHubble]

View attachment 131381

That's a trackpad, like you'd find on a laptop. Certain games on the PS4/5 use it, for example if you were interacting with a computer screen in a game.

Also on some devices, like the MiSTer FPGA retro game system, you can use it as a pointing device for the simulated computer systems on that machine. But this is just a little something us Retro Computer nerds tend to know.

As far as it's intended use is concerned, it's a pointing device, just like a laptop that can be utilised for games

Hope that helps

 

[blitzkrieg]

I hadn't come across this before since I normally use an Xbox One controller with my laptop.

The more you know!

 

[grommet]

That's a trackpad, like you'd find on a laptop. Certain games on the PS4/5 use it, for example if you were interacting with a computer screen in a game.

Also on some devices, like the MiSTer FPGA retro game system, you can use it as a pointing device for the simulated computer systems on that machine. But this is just a little something us Retro Computer nerds tend to know.

As far as it's intended use is concerned, it's a pointing device, just like a laptop that can be utilised for games

Hope that helps

Thank you very much. How do I know if I can use it in a game? I have been playing Resident Evil 4 on my MacBook Pro and I liked it so much I got Resident Evil Village, which I did not like as much but also there seemed to be a bug because my controller was not working. When I was in settings it kept scrolling extremely fast up, down or right and left when trying to make selections. If I could use the touchpad instead maybe that could work. Because of the problem I asked Apple for a refund but there system is not like Steam and seems unfair. The only say they will let me know whether they will refund me.

 

[MildredHubble]

Thank you very much. How do I know if I can use it in a game? I have been playing Resident Evil 4 on my MacBook Pro and I liked it so much I got Resident Evil Village, which I did not like as much but also there seemed to be a bug because my controller was not working. When I was in settings it kept scrolling extremely fast up, down or right and left when trying to make selections. If I could use the touchpad instead maybe that could work. Because of the problem I asked Apple for a refund but there system is not like Steam and seems unfair. The only say they will let me know whether they will refund me.

I'm not sure about using the track pad in MacOS. I had a quick look about online and there is an application that allows you to remap the PS4 controller and set different profiles for different games. It doesn't mention the track pad though

You could still try this application though and map all the buttons exactly how they are mapped right now and maybe if the controller button presses are going "through" this application, it may resolve the issue you have been having with your Resident Evil game

Here's a link to a guide...
https://www.howtogeek.com/275614/how-to-use-the-playstation-4s-dualshock-4-controller-on-a-mac/
You wont need to do the part where you pair your controller as you've already done that. But this application will act as a "go between" between your controller and your game and might therefore fix the problem and might be useful to you in other ways. It will also let you set different profiles or "mappings" for each of your games!

Have a look and see what you think

I've had a few issues using my PS4 controller with my Mac. In my experience Xbox controllers seem to work better. I'm not sure though if getting one would eliminate the problem with the in game menus. So trying the app first would probably be best

Oh and here is a direct link to the app if you prefer...

https://yukkurigames.com/enjoyable/

 

[grommet]

I'm not sure about using the track pad in MacOS. I had a quick look about online and there is an application that allows you to remap the PS4 controller and set different profiles for different games. It doesn't mention the track pad though

You could still try this application though and map all the buttons exactly how they are mapped right now and maybe if the controller button presses are going "through" this application, it may resolve the issue you have been having with your Resident Evil game

Here's a link to a guide...
https://www.howtogeek.com/275614/how-to-use-the-playstation-4s-dualshock-4-controller-on-a-mac/
You wont need to do the part where you pair your controller as you've already done that. But this application will act as a "go between" between your controller and your game and might therefore fix the problem and might be useful to you in other ways. It will also let you set different profiles or "mappings" for each of your games!

Have a look and see what you think

I've had a few issues using my PS4 controller with my Mac. In my experience Xbox controllers seem to work better. I'm not sure though if getting one would eliminate the problem with the in game menus. So trying the app first would probably be best

Oh and here is a direct link to the app if you prefer...

https://yukkurigames.com/enjoyable/

I have to re-read this a few times to understand it better. Is this an app I could get that would run while I played games?

 

[MildredHubble]

I have to re-read this a few times to understand it better. Is this an app I could get that would run while I played games?

Yes, it runs in the menu bar on your Mac from what I understand, so you should be able to set things up so that it runs when MacOS starts up. Then you can click on it's icon on the right hand side of the menu bar to select different profiles etc

You may need to give it permission to start by itself but I suspect the installer or the app will direct you on how to do that, but if it doesn't, it's quite simple to do and I should be able to help you with that if you get stuck

 

[tkcartoonist]

Very, very few games actually take advantage of the trackpad functions. More often than not, it's used as a glorified start/select button depending on what side you press down.

Honestly, because of the lack of use even with first-party titles, it surprises me that Sony bothered bringing it back for the Dualsense (the PS5 controller).

 

[grommet]

Yes, it runs in the menu bar on your Mac from what I understand, so you should be able to set things up so that it runs when MacOS starts up. Then you can click on it's icon on the right hand side of the menu bar to select different profiles etc

You may need to give it permission to start by itself but I suspect the installer or the app will direct you on how to do that, but if it doesn't, it's quite simple to do and I should be able to help you with that if you get stuck

Thank you very much.

It says it only works for a PS3 controller but I have a PS4. Do you think it would work?

 

[MildredHubble]

Thank you very much.

It says it only works for a PS3 controller but I have a PS4. Do you think it would work?

It seems to show PS4 controllers being used with it so I think it should work. PS4 controllers will work with a PS3 but not the other way round. So I think it should all work fine. Perhaps the PS4 controller has a PS3 compatibility mode and that's what the app is using to make it work. Either way the examples I've seen show "PS4" in the menus so I don't think you should have any problems

 

[grommet]

It seems to show PS4 controllers being used with it so I think it should work. PS4 controllers will work with a PS3 but not the other way round. So I think it should all work fine. Perhaps the PS4 controller has a PS3 compatibility mode and that's what the app is using to make it work. Either way the examples I've seen show "PS4" in the menus so I don't think you should have any problems

My controller is broken. I feel terrible. I have not tried the app you mentioned. I started having trouble two days ago but thought it was a bug in the game. The left joystick is sticking when I push it to the left. It is a new controller. I bought it two years ago but did not use it at all until this week. I do not know how I could have broken it so quickly. It is a real controller from Sony I bought from Apple. It cost a lot. I do not know what to do.

 

[grommet]

Now I do not think it is the controller that is broken. The right joystick is now staying stuck. I am using Gamepad Tester and it is showing the same problem now on the right. I think it is a problem with using it with the Mac. What could be happening?

 

[Outdated]

I've seen a lot of these sorts of problems when people are using cordless devices, especially cordless keyboards. I have no experience with game controllers but a lot of people had problems with their mouse doing weird things, jumping all over the screen and opening things at random.

The problem wasn't actually with the mouse though, it was the wireless keyboard that was interfering with everything else. Removing the wireless keyboard solved their problems.

 

[MildredHubble]

Now I do not think it is the controller that is broken. The right joystick is now staying stuck. I am using Gamepad Tester and it is showing the same problem now on the right. I think it is a problem with using it with the Mac. What could be happening?

Are the sticks working ok in Gamepad Tester? Or are they just sticking during game play? Do you have any other devices connected via Bluetooth?

Try pressing down the analog sticks until they click and hold them so they stay pressed down and rotate them in circles a good few times then try the controller again. If it's been unused for a long time there may be a little residue built up on the contacts in the analog sticks.

 

[grommet]

Are the sticks working ok in Gamepad Tester?

No, they are showing the same problem they did in the games. A menu you keep scrolling violently like I was holding the joystick.

I did a hard reset and now the right joystick is no longer sticking but the left one is still bad like before.

Or are they just sticking during game play?

Sticking during gameplay and when I test them. I mean sticking as far as input, they physically move free and fine.

Do you have any other devices connected via Bluetooth?

Yes, I AirPods Pro connected.

Try pressing down the analog sticks until they click and hold them so they stay pressed down and rotate them in circles a good few times then try the controller again. If it's been unused for a long time there may be a little residue built up on the contacts in the analog sticks.

I did that and it did not change. Please help more if you can. I am so sad.

 

[MildredHubble]

Ok, this sounds like it could be an issue with the signal, since it seems to be changing randomly. First of all try completely disconnecting any other Bluetooth devices from your Mac. Even track pads or mice. You just want to have your controller connected on its own to the Bluetooth. Reboot your Mac and try using your controller on its own and see if it works.

Other Bluetooth devices will take away some of the bandwidth available and may cause your controller to lose contact with your Mac and cause input errors. Also, things like Bluetooth headphones will be given priority over other devices to maintain good quality, uninterrupted sound. They also use a lot of the bandwidth, whereas your controller will only need a small amount.

This sounds like a connection issue to me. You might have to switch to some wired headphones unfortunately to be able to enjoy your game.

 

[grommet]

Ok, this sounds like it could be an issue with the signal, since it seems to be changing randomly. First of all try completely disconnecting any other Bluetooth devices from your Mac. Even track pads or mice. You just want to have your controller connected on its own to the Bluetooth. Reboot your Mac and try using your controller on its own and see if it works.

Other Bluetooth devices will take away some of the bandwidth available and may cause your controller to lose contact with your Mac and cause input errors. Also, things like Bluetooth headphones will be given priority over other devices to maintain good quality, uninterrupted sound. They also use a lot of the bandwidth, whereas your controller will only need a small amount.

This sounds like a connection issue to me. You might have to switch to some wired headphones unfortunately to be able to enjoy your game.

Thank you. I am overwhelmed. Brain too much. I pressed every button and disconnected bluetooth AirPods. Controller working now. Still having intermittent problem with left joystick. It happened when AirPods were not connected. I do not have other things connected. I could restart the computer.

I started Lies of P and I cannot find a way yet to exit so I can restart. I will keep trying different buttons. Trying to make sense but melting down now.

 

[saturnv]

Do you have a USB cable? If it works while wired, that would be a clue and a workaround.

 

[Harmonie]

I've noticed in a number of games, one end of it opens up the map, but the other end does something different or nothing. It's certainly weird, but more controls are great, I guess. lol

 

[MildredHubble]

Thank you. I am overwhelmed. Brain too much. I pressed every button and disconnected bluetooth AirPods. Controller working now. Still having intermittent problem with left joystick. It happened when AirPods were not connected. I do not have other things connected. I could restart the computer.

I started Lies of P and I cannot find a way yet to exit so I can restart. I will keep trying different buttons. Trying to make sense but melting down now.

It can be all very frustrating @grommet. I was fixing some issues with our internet the other day and it eventually overwhelmed me. So I know how upsetting it can be when you just want to relax and enjoy your technology rather than trouble shooting it.

I'm sure you will figure it out. I'm not sure but it may be possible to use your controller via a USB cable. I will see if I can find anything out about this. If it will work over USB you should be able to use your wireless headphones and not have any issues with them interrupting the connection to your controller.