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You can use a lot of external controllers with the Steam Deck but the current system to interact with them isn't great. The Controller Tools plugin could solve some issues, at least until Valve give this section a little more love.

Giving you currently a quick way to see connection type, charge level and charge status for some controllers in a dedicated menu. It currently supports:

  • PlayStation DualSense.
  • Playstation DualShock 4.
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
  • Xbox Series X|S Controller (limited support).
  • Xbox One Controller (limited support).

With plans to expand it with new features like controller light configuration, more controllers based on community requests for them, low-battery in-game alerts and more.

Here's a quick look at it, along with a note on the How Long To Beat plugin too:

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You do need Decky Loader for this, see my previous article and video on it.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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4 comments

Philadelphus Jan 11, 2023
Semi-related random question I couldn't quite answer from the video: is it possible to attach more than one controller to the Deck via Bluetooth simultaneously? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to hook it up to a TV and play multi-player games with friends that way. I don't have multiple controllers to check myself and don't want to pick some up only to discover it doesn't work…
Teodosio Jan 11, 2023
Quoting: PhiladelphusSemi-related random question I couldn't quite answer from the video: is it possible to attach more than one controller to the Deck via Bluetooth simultaneously? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to hook it up to a TV and play multi-player games with friends that way. I don't have multiple controllers to check myself and don't want to pick some up only to discover it doesn't work…
Yes,I do that regularly with up to three controllers!
Liam Dawe Jan 11, 2023
Quoting: PhiladelphusSemi-related random question I couldn't quite answer from the video: is it possible to attach more than one controller to the Deck via Bluetooth simultaneously? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to hook it up to a TV and play multi-player games with friends that way. I don't have multiple controllers to check myself and don't want to pick some up only to discover it doesn't work…
Yep at one point the video even shows it with Xbox and PlayStation controllers both being on and connected.
Philadelphus Jan 12, 2023
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: PhiladelphusSemi-related random question I couldn't quite answer from the video: is it possible to attach more than one controller to the Deck via Bluetooth simultaneously? I'm wondering if it'd be possible to hook it up to a TV and play multi-player games with friends that way. I don't have multiple controllers to check myself and don't want to pick some up only to discover it doesn't work…
Yep at one point the video even shows it with Xbox and PlayStation controllers both being on and connected.
Ah, I couldn't quite convince myself they were both connected since only one had the battery percentage. Thanks.
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