Use the Steam Controller on mobile (games)

[Rhaegar]

Unless I'm wrong the Steam Controller has bluetooth, does that mean you''ll be able to use it as a controller for mobile games? I'm contemplating buying a homibo VR headset for my Phone (nexus 5) and currently don't have a controller to use on my Phone. It would be great if the steam controller can be used for it as well.

Not customisable of course but I hope it returns to some default setup usable by mobile when not connected to steam.

[ECA]

EXPLAIN MOBILE GAMES>>
laptop?? probably

Nexus...you should wait..let others find out for you, AFTER the release..asking now, is not the easy answer you want..someone needs to make driver for it..
BUT, if you jail break and install Linux, there is good chance..

[8BitCerberus]

Unless they've changed it for the final version, the prototype defaulted to WASD on the left pad, mouse on the right, the triggers were right/left mouse click, and the rest of the buttons are numbers and space. It appears to the computer as a mouse and keyboard, even working as such in the BIOS setup (for GUI ones that support mouse)

If the final version does the same, that's how it also would appear to an Android phone/tablet, so it wouldn't really work as a controller for games. If the final version's default mode is xinput or directinput, however, then it might work if Android has drivers for it.

But yeah, as ECA says, I wouldn't buy on the hope that it will work with Android. If you want it for day to day gaming on your PC but otherwise want to see if it works on Android, go for it. But if Android gaming is a primary concern, I'd hold off until someone can test it out.

[Chapstick]

If it's bluetooth, and if it proves popular, someone will make an app/hack for it. Assuming that it is bluetooth over some other wireless protocol might be ill-advised. It doesn't say specifically on the store page what kind of wireless it employs.

[Rhaegar]

Originally posted by 8-Bit Cerberus:

Unless they've changed it for the final version, the prototype defaulted to WASD on the left pad, mouse on the right, the triggers were right/left mouse click, and the rest of the buttons are numbers and space. It appears to the computer as a mouse and keyboard, even working as such in the BIOS setup (for GUI ones that support mouse)

If the final version does the same, that's how it also would appear to an Android phone/tablet, so it wouldn't really work as a controller for games. If the final version's default mode is xinput or directinput, however, then it might work if Android has drivers for it.

But yeah, as ECA says, I wouldn't buy on the hope that it will work with Android. If you want it for day to day gaming on your PC but otherwise want to see if it works on Android, go for it. But if Android gaming is a primary concern, I'd hold off until someone can test it out.

Thanks, that's helpfull. Don't worry about me buying it especially for use on mobile. The situation is that I bought it for use on the pc and I'm very much looking forward to using it for that. I was just wondering if as an added extra usage on mobile was also possible.

[Sniperfox47]

Keep in mind, even if it doesn't have bluetooth and uses a USB dongle instead, most Android Devices have USB-OTG support, so you could play that way :3 As soon as I get mine I plan to look into developing userspace drivers for it if I can and if not then hopefully we can at least get it working for rooted users.

[Johnny5]

The steam controller does work on Android to some extent. Mouse movement, mouseclick, selection movement, selection activation.
however, when attempted to play portal it got clear some buttons did not work making it impossible to use for gaming, if it needs anything other than the standard touch input.

by the way, it needs to be connected via wire, wireless does not work at all.

[DirtyCamper]

Originally posted by PoopieTwoShoes:

by the way, it needs to be connected via wire, wireless does not work at all.

I think you first have to pair the controller with the dongle using steam BP, and then use the dongle for wireless usage on the android.
And yes, I think it also needs a "driver" to convert to joystick input, if the game supports that.
So the game has to support android joystick input, and a driver registered as input method must convert "mouse" and "keyboard" presses to android input events, kinda like steam big picture does to emulate gamepads.

[Qriss]

Valve really missed an opportunity here. A second radio supporting bluetooth would have been great. Due to the touch pads this could have become a really good controller for Android and especially VR applications, like Google Cardboard. Controlling a virtual mouse would work great with the touch pads.
At least the cable connection works more or less...

[Speedwagon]

So, still impossible use that with any android?

[cammelspit]

Originally posted by S-E-R-E-G-A UCHIHA:

So, still impossible use that with any android?

Make a new thread. No necro.

[SoulTaker]

Can I use the steam controller to play ppsspp emulater on android for example?

[Sniperfox47]

Originally posted by tiagomiguelnunes95:

Can I use the steam controller to play ppsspp emulater on android for example?

Please don't necro old threads, but no. This driver is published currently for GNU/Linux (pc linux) only, and cannot be used out of box on Windows or Android.

If you or anyone you know want to contribute a Windows or Android port, I'd suggest using github and helping out the author.