Disable Steam Controller Desktop mode

[Wesley]

I just got the new Steam Controller but have an issue with it: it also controls the desktop. I don't want that. I see that I can remap the desktop mode, but how can I completely disable desktop mode? I only want the controller to be used in games, not anywhere else.

[zombiefstuk]

Probably the easiest is to turn it off until you're in steam, otherwise you would need to set the output action to "disabled" (eg, using input-remapper), and then re-enable once in steam.

https://github.com/sezanzeb/input-remapper

Or toggle the following:

# head /sys/bus/hid/drivers/*/*/*/*/name | tac | awk -F"/" -v RS="\n\n" '/^Valve/{print $7}' | sort -u
0003:28DE:1304.0009
0003:28DE:1304.000A
0003:28DE:1304.000B
0003:28DE:1304.000C

Neither of those is easier than a button press.

[Wesley]

Hmm I assume both would also affect the usage in games, right? At least at the moment it actually is disabled when Steam is not running, but as soon as Steam is running, the controller controls the mouse (and pressing X brings up the on-screen keyboard).

I would basically like for it to behave like the xbox controller: only be active when in-game and not also in Steam itself.

Thanks for the link to input-remapper and the command :)

[zombiefstuk]

Originally posted by Wesley:

Hmm I assume both would also affect the usage in games, right? At least at the moment it actually is disabled when Steam is not running, but as soon as Steam is running, the controller controls the mouse (and pressing X brings up the on-screen keyboard).

Yes, the controller would be disabled, so you would need to toggle via some method, but again, it's not doing anything if turned off. If I look under Settings => Controller it's listed as "disconnected" (as it's powered off, but connected to the computer via the puck).

Originally posted by Wesley:

I would basically like for it to behave like the xbox controller: only be active when in-game and not also in Steam itself.

OK, but the xbox controller is a gamepad, the steam controller is essentially a K&M (at least as far as the OS is concerned).

$ head /sys/bus/hid/drivers/*/*/*/*/name | grep -i valve | sort -u 
Valve Software Steam Controller Puck Keyboard
Valve Software Steam Controller Puck Mouse

Originally posted by Wesley:

Thanks for the link to input-remapper and the command :)

You're welcome. Neither of those will do as you want, and I can't really think of a way to have it be only active once the game is launched (ie, xbox style). Perhaps SIZR (Steam Input System Redirector) maybe?

https://github.com/Alia5/SISR