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Yes—you can use the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller with a Windows PC or Mac. Bluetooth is usually the simplest method: put the controller into pairing mode with the small SYNC button, then add it from your computer’s Bluetooth settings. Steam offers the most reliable game-by-game support, while non-Steam games may require their own controller settings or a remapping layer.
This guide covers the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. It is not the newer Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which Nintendo describes as an accessory exclusive to the Switch 2 system.
What you need
- An original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- A Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS computer
- Bluetooth, either built into the computer or provided by a USB adapter
- A charged controller
If you do not already own one, look specifically for the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Make sure the listing is for the original Switch model rather than the Switch 2 Pro Controller.
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Most modern laptops include Bluetooth. Many desktop PCs do not. If Bluetooth is missing from a Windows desktop, a USB Bluetooth adapter for PC can add it. You do not need an adapter if your computer already has working Bluetooth.
The quickest method: connect by Bluetooth
Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on. If the Bluetooth switch is missing, your PC may not have a working Bluetooth adapter or its driver may not be installed.
- Wake the Pro Controller by pressing a button.
- Hold the small SYNC button on the controller’s top edge, beside the USB charging port. Continue until the player LEDs begin cycling.
- In Windows, select Add device > Bluetooth.
- Choose Pro Controller when it appears in the list.
- Wait for Windows to finish pairing, then open the game or Steam and test the sticks, buttons, and triggers.
The controller is ready when Windows reports that it is connected. Pairing only establishes the Bluetooth connection, however; the game still needs to support a controller or receive input through Steam Input or another supported input layer.
Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on and select Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Hold the Pro Controller’s SYNC button until the player LEDs cycle.
- Select Pro Controller when Windows discovers it.
- After pairing completes, test it in Steam or in the game you want to play.
macOS
- Put the controller into discovery mode by holding its SYNC button until the player LEDs begin cycling.
- On the Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
- Find Pro Controller in the list of nearby devices.
- Click Connect.
- Open your game or Steam and check whether the buttons and sticks respond.
macOS can pair compatible game controllers over Bluetooth, but support for individual buttons and controller features varies by controller and application. A successful Mac pairing therefore does not guarantee that every game will recognize every Pro Controller feature.
Rank #2
- Manufactured by CIPON: This Wireless Adapter manufactured by a third-party company , not by Microsoft; Our Adapter chip and program is the same as official, and quality as good as official
- Widely Compatibility: For use with X One Wireless Controller on PCs and Tablets running Windows 7/8/8.1/10 with USB 2.0/3.0; Not compatible with Xbox 360 controllers; (Note: You may need to download a driver for the first use)
- Play with Others: Supports up to 8 wireless controllers; Also supports the use of wired chat headsets on the controllerr (Note: The headsets only supported under WIN10 system, and not supports wireless connection headsets)
- Designed for PC: Play your Wireless Controller on Windows/ laptops/ tablets; Simply bind the Adapter to your Wireless Controller to enable the same gaming experience you are used to on Xb One, including in-game chat and high quality stereo audio
- What You Will Get: 1 x Wireless adapter, 1 x User manual, 1 x Elegant packaging
How to use it with Steam
Steam is generally the clearest PC gaming route because Valve officially supports Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers. Pair the controller with Windows or macOS first, then configure it in Steam’s controller settings.
- Launch Steam after the operating system has paired the controller.
- Open Steam’s Settings and go to the controller section. The exact label can vary slightly between Steam updates.
- Enable or select the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller configuration option when it is shown.
- Open the game’s controller settings or Steam Input configuration if the game does not respond.
- Test the controller before changing individual button assignments.
Steam Input can translate the Pro Controller for games that were designed around another gamepad layout. Steam also distinguishes between games with full controller support and those with partial controller support. Check the individual game’s support information rather than assuming that every Steam game will behave identically.
Why does the game show Xbox button prompts?
Xbox-style prompts do not necessarily indicate a failed connection. Many PC games identify controllers through an XInput-style input layer, or display prompts based on the game’s default controller layout. The Pro Controller can be paired and working even when the screen shows A, B, X, and Y prompts in an arrangement that does not match the Nintendo labels.
If the controls work but the prompts are confusing, check the game’s controller or interface settings and then review the Steam Input layout. Do not change mappings solely because the on-screen icons look different.
Using a USB cable instead
The original Pro Controller charges through USB. Nintendo specifies the HAC-010 USB charging cable for charging and says a full charge takes approximately six hours. The controller’s recharge indicator turns off when it is fully charged.
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Rank #3
- Bluetooth 5.4 + Broad Compatibility - Provides Bluetooth 5.4 plus EDR technology and is backward compatible with Bluetooth V5.3/5.0/4.2/4.0/3.0/2.1/2.0/1.1.
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- Nano-Sized - A sleek, ultra-small design means you can insert the Nano Bluetooth receiver into any USB port and simply keep it there regardless of whether you are traveling or at home
- Plug & Play with Free Driver Support - Plug and play for Windows 8.1/10/11 (internet required). Supports Win7 (driver required and can be downloaded from website for free). Download the latest driver from TP-Link website to utilize Bluetooth 5.4
For computer use, choose a cable that supports data transfer as well as charging. A charge-only cable can charge the controller but cannot carry controller input to the computer. A USB data cable for Switch Pro Controller may be useful for charging or for trying a wired connection.
Wired input is less predictable than Bluetooth across operating systems, drivers, and games. Nintendo’s official support information documents charging and console pairing, but it does not establish a universal Windows-and-Mac wired-PC driver guarantee. Your computer may recognize the controller over USB, while a particular game may not. If USB charging works but the game does not detect input, try Bluetooth, Steam Input, or the game’s own controller configuration.
Which connection method should you choose?
| Situation | Best first choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Laptop with Bluetooth | Bluetooth | No extra hardware is normally required. |
| Desktop without Bluetooth | USB Bluetooth adapter, then Bluetooth pairing | A USB adapter adds Bluetooth capability to the PC. |
| Controller battery is low | Charge it first with a compatible USB cable | A low battery can prevent reliable discovery or use. |
| Steam game | Bluetooth plus Steam controller configuration | Steam officially supports Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers and can provide Steam Input mappings. |
| Non-Steam game | Bluetooth, followed by the game’s controller settings | Support varies considerably outside Steam. |
| Mac | Bluetooth through System Settings | macOS supports compatible Bluetooth controllers, but app support varies. |
If the Pro Controller does not appear
1. Charge the controller
Connect it to power and allow it to charge. Nintendo states that a full charge takes approximately six hours. If the controller is completely depleted, it may not enter or maintain pairing mode reliably.
2. Press SYNC again
The controller must be discoverable while your computer is scanning. Hold the small SYNC button beside the USB port until the player LEDs cycle, then immediately run the computer’s Add device or Bluetooth scan again.
3. Remove the old Bluetooth entry
If the controller was previously paired but will not reconnect, remove its saved entry and add it again.
- Windows 11: Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find the controller, open its menu, and choose Remove device. Then repeat Add device > Bluetooth.
- Windows 10: Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, select the old controller entry, choose Remove device, and pair it again.
- macOS: In System Settings > Bluetooth, forget or remove the saved controller entry if that option is available, then put the controller into discovery mode and reconnect it.
4. Move the controller closer
Keep the controller near the computer while pairing. Move it away from possible sources of wireless interference and temporarily reduce the number of active Bluetooth devices if the connection is unstable.
Rank #4
- Controller compatibility: Xbox Series X Controller, Xbox Series S Controller, Xbox One Bluetooth Controller, PS5/PS4/PS3 Controller, Switch Pro, Wii Mote, Wii U Pro.
- 8BitDo Controller compatibility: all 8BitDo Bluetooth Controllers and arcade stick.
- System compatibility: Switch, Windows, macOS, Steam Deck & Raspberry Pis and more. USB Wireless Adapter 2 is compatible with Steam Deck now.
- Support 6-axis motion on Switch and Vibration on X-input mode.
- Supports ultimate software - customize button mapping, adjust stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control and create macros with any button combination.
5. Toggle Bluetooth and restart
Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then restart the computer. These simple steps can clear a stalled Bluetooth discovery or connection state.
6. Update the computer and check the adapter
Install available Windows updates or current macOS updates. On Windows, also check that the Bluetooth adapter appears correctly in Device Manager and that any driver supplied by the computer, motherboard, or adapter manufacturer is installed.
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7. Separate pairing problems from game-support problems
First test whether the operating system sees the controller. If Windows or macOS reports a connection but the game does nothing, the Bluetooth link may be working correctly and the remaining issue may be game compatibility, Steam Input, or the game’s selected controller layout.
For Steam games, check Steam’s controller settings and the game’s controller-support status. For non-Steam games, look for a built-in gamepad setting before attempting any third-party remapping solution.
Best Value
- Controller Adapter Compatibility: The second-generation receiver compatible with 8BitDo bluetooth controllers, Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One Bluetooth controllers, PS5/PS4/PS4 Pro/PS3 controllers and Switch Pro, Switch Joy-Con, Wii U Pro, Wiimote controller. Make sure to update the receiver to the latest firmware. Switch 2 compatibility requires the Adapter to be updated to the latest firmware. (Note: Please ensure it is Bluetooth controller.)
- System compatibility: Switch (3.0.0 and above), Switch 2 (20.1.1 and above), SteamOS Holo 3.4 and above, Windows 10 and above, macOS, Raspberry Pi, Android TV Box, Retrofreak. Friendly reminder: Make sure to update the receiver to the latest firmware. Systems and controllers not mentioned above are not compatible.
- Bluetooth Controller Adapter: Four modes available, X-input, D-input, Mac and Switch mode. Support 6-axis motion on switch mode and vibration on X-input mode.
- Supports ultimate software - customize button mapping, adjust stick & trigger sensitivity, vibration control and create macros with any button combination.
- Please Note: One adapter works for one controller. If you wish to use multiple controllers at a time, you would need to use multiple adapters. Non-bluetooth controller such as 2.4g wireless controller is NOT Compatible. Systems and controllers not mentioned above are not compatible. If you have any questions about our products we're always available to provide assistance.
Original Switch Pro Controller versus Switch 2 Pro Controller
These are different accessories. This guide applies to the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the model made for the first Nintendo Switch. Nintendo describes the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller as exclusive to the Switch 2 system. Do not assume that instructions, compatibility claims, or accessories for one generation apply to the other.
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Use Windows Update, Device Manager, and the Bluetooth-adapter or computer manufacturer’s official driver support first. An optional commercial utility such as Outbyte Driver Updater may be relevant only when a Windows Bluetooth connection appears to have a driver problem, but it is not required for normal Pro Controller pairing and should not replace official driver sources. Its Bluetooth-device coverage and update capabilities are claims made by the vendor, not a guarantee that it will fix a controller connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a PC without a Nintendo Switch?
Yes. Pair it directly with a Windows computer or Mac over Bluetooth. The computer needs built-in Bluetooth or a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter.
Why is my Pro Controller connected but not working in a PC game?
Bluetooth pairing and game support are separate. Check the game’s controller settings, configure the controller in Steam if applicable, and consider Steam Input for games that do not natively recognize the Nintendo layout.
Can I use the Pro Controller with a USB cable on a computer?
You can charge it by USB, and some computers and games may accept wired input. Use a data-capable cable rather than a charge-only cable, but do not assume universal wired-PC support across every operating system and game.
Do I need a Bluetooth adapter for my laptop?
Usually not if the laptop already has working Bluetooth. A USB Bluetooth adapter is mainly needed for desktops or older computers without built-in Bluetooth.
Why does my game show Xbox button prompts?
Many PC games use an XInput-style layout or default to Xbox prompts. The controller may still be connected and working; the prompts do not by themselves indicate a pairing failure.
The Bottom Line
For most computers, pair the original Nintendo Switch Pro Controller over Bluetooth: enable Bluetooth, hold the controller’s SYNC button until the LEDs cycle, choose Pro Controller, and then configure it in Steam or the game. Charge it first if necessary, use a USB Bluetooth adapter only when the computer lacks Bluetooth, and treat wired USB play as compatibility-dependent rather than universal.
Quick Recap
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