Game Controller Plug Into Mac Light Won't Turn On

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Gaming on a Mac is not what Apple is historically known for. However, with Apple delving into the fledgling virtual and augmented reality space, some traditional game interfaces and not so traditional interfaces (think HTC wands or Valve's knuckle controllers) now need to be supported on macOS to reap the VR/AR benefits to their fullest.

Nov 27, 2019  If the batteries are worn out, or in need of a charge, the controller won't turn on. The controller also won't turn on if the batteries are installed improperly. Battery contacts: If the battery contacts are worn out or bent too much, the controller won't turn on. The controller also won't turn on if the batteries don't make firm contact for any other reason. Oct 19, 2016  Fixing a PS4 controller that won’t connect or charge. Wait until the light on the controller starts flashing. Plug the controller into the PS4 using a USB cable if it doesn’t.

To ready you for some amazing VR pilot games such as Eve: Valkyrie that utilize a traditional game Xbox game controller, we're here to show you how to connect one to your Mac! In the past this method only applied to the Xbox 360 controller, but the latest version of the software you'll be using also now supports the Xbox One controller.

How to download and install the drivers

We're assuming that you already own a wired Xbox controller, but if you're needing to buy, a standard controller is about $50. You'll need to connect it to your Mac using a microUSB cable which, sadly, isn't included. If you buy a third-party wired controller you won't have to worry about this.

Next, follow these steps.

  1. Launch Safari.
  2. Navigate to https://github.com/360/Controller/360Controller/releases.

  3. Download the latest release of the 360Controller driver. As of this writing, the latest release is 0.16.5.

  4. Go to your Downloads folder in Finder.
  5. Double-click the 360Controllerinstall_*.dmg file.

  6. Double-click the Install360Controller.pkg that pops up in Finder.

  7. Click Continue.

  8. Again, click Continue.

  9. Select to Agree the license agreement.
  10. Click Install.

  11. Agree to allow a restart of the computer by clicking Continue Installation.

  12. Click Restart.

  13. You can optionally have the downloaded file Moved to Trash.

  14. Upon restarting the computer start System Preferences from the dock or the  menu.
  15. Click on Xbox 360 Controllers.

How to connect your Xbox 360 controller

Game

Once you've installed the drivers, you'll now logically see that there are No devices found, since we have yet to physically connect the game controller to the Mac.

  1. Plug in your controller to your Mac. If you have a current model MacBook or MacBook Pro, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
  2. Click OK when the System Extension Blocked warning message pops up.
  3. Go into System Preferences via the dock or  menu.

  4. Click Security & Privacy.

  5. Under the General tab click the Lock at the bottom left.

  6. Enter your password and click Unlock.

  7. Click Allow.

Your Xbox wired controller should now be connected!

Final thoughts

I am super stoked about developers climbing aboard the VR/AR hype train. As a mere consumer of VR, I can only hope for more and more creative minds to get on board. If you're a VR/AR developer, or even better yet, a macOS VR/AR developer, what other ways can Apple help promote virtual reality on their platform? Let us know in the comments!

Updated April 2018: Updated to reflect that this method also now supports the Xbox One controller.

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