PS3 Controller doesn't work after Catalina Update

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Level 1

13 points

PS3 Controller doesn't work after Catalina Update

Hi guys,

So I've been using a Sony PlayStation 3 controller for gaming on my MacBook for some time now, and there have never been any issues. However, after updating my operating system to macOS Catalina, for some reason the gamepad doesn't work anymore. When I plug in the USB cable, the lights start to flash, which seems usual enough, but when I try pushing any buttons there's no reaction. At least with most of them. The weirdest thing about this is that when I try arrow up, for instance, the enter control would apply, and when I tried one of the R and L buttons, all of a sudden everything went crazy, and the selection would flash through the whole game menu and not stop until force quit. Any other buttons or joysticks did not cause any reaction, though.

Does this mean that DualShock 3 controllers are no longer supported in Catalina or is there any way to fix this? I don't want to buy a new controller unless it's really necessary.

I'm on a MacBook Air 13-inch, 2015, and am currently running macOS Catalina version 10.15

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Air 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Oct 23, 2019 6:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Oct 29, 2019 2:07 PM in response to mellowmymel

Greetings mellowmymel,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. It seems like you are trying to use a PS3 controller with your macBook Air, but it is not working. There are a couple things you can try that may be able to help. I would recommend you use this article to help troubleshoot the issue.

"Get started

Starting with iOS 13, iPadOS 13, tvOS 13, and macOS Catalina, Apple devices and computers support pairing with and using Xbox and PlayStation wireless game controllers.
If you need to update the firmware on your controller, check with your game controller manufacturer.
Check that you’re in range of your device and there isn’t interference in the area."

Connect a wireless game controller to your Apple device

Please don't hesitate to let us know if the steps resolved your issue or if you need additional assistance.

Take care.

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Answer 2

stiiifff

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2019 11:35 AM in response to mellowmymel

Got exactly the same issue. This had been working flawlessly for years on previous macOS versions.

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Answer 3

fulvio68

Level 1

4 points

Nov 6, 2019 6:12 AM in response to chuck_3rd

Same problem here. The controllers doesn't appear in the bluetooth list device. Any serious help?

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Answer 4

Rodus17

Level 1

8 points

Nov 11, 2019 5:13 PM in response to mellowmymel

I contacted Feral as I thought it might be the application; I was told that it is a known issue with Catalina and a fix was planned. Have heard nothing more and have seen two updates for Catalina with no fix yet.

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Answer 5

Nov 18, 2019 6:20 AM in response to Rodus17

From my understanding, there is no planned fix (on Feral's end). Feral says that it's Apple's problem, and Apple refuse to acknowledge it.

Apple wants you to abandon your games and pay for Apple Arcade, most of which don't require controllers.

Go figure, huh?

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PS3 Controller doesn't work after Catalina Update

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