How to connect an 8BitDo controller to the Steam Deck (or SteamOS)

8BitDo has a plethora of controllers but only a handful of them are fully optimized to work with SteamOS devices such as the Steam Deck and the Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS (read our review). 

The list of supported controllers include the 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth controller, 8BitDo Pro 3 Bluetooth Controller, 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller, and SN30 Pro Bluetooth controller (curr. available on Amazon for $32.84). However, the mode of connection is not the same for all four controllers: while some support Bluetooth and wired connections, others only support connecting via Bluetooth. Below is the supported connection mode(s) for each controller:

• 8BitDo Pro 3 - Bluetooth and wired
• 8BitDo Pro 2 - Bluetooth and wired
• 8BitDo SN30 Pro - Bluetooth and wired
• 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless - Bluetooth only

If you own any of the controllers above, here’s how to connect them to a SteamOS device such as the Steam Deck, the Legion Go S (SteamOS edition), or any of the other handhelds officially supported by SteamOS. Before you begin, ensure you update your Steam Deck or SteamOS device to the latest version. Also ensure you update your controller with the appropriate app or program.

1. Flip the controller over and put the mode switch to D which is short for D-input.
2. Press the Start button to turn on the controller.
3. Press and hold the pair button i.e. the round button near the USB-C port on the front of the controllers. The status LEDs (the four LEDs at the bottom of the controller) will flash repeatedly in quick successions.
4. Open the Bluetooth menu under the Steam OS device’s Settings menu. Turn on Bluetooth, and select “8BitDo Pro 3" or “8BitDo Pro 2" to pair the controller to the device. The controller should vibrate after successfully pairing. The status LEDs should stop blinking and remain static.

To use either of the controllers in wired mode, follow the steps below:

1. Put the mode switch to D for D-input.
2. Connect one end of a USB-C to USB-C cable to the USB port on the controller and the other end to the USB-C port on the device. The controller should vibrate after a successful connection and the status LED should remain static.

1. Turn on the controller by pressing together “B” and “Start” buttons.
2. Press and hold the Pair button for a few seconds until the status LEDs begin blinking rapidly.
3. Open the Bluetooth menu under the Steam OS device’s Settings menu. Turn on Bluetooth, and select “8BitDo SN30 Pro" in the list of Bluetooth devices. The status LEDs will remain static once the controller is successfully paired.
4. For a wired connection, turn on the controller as stated in step 1 above. Then connect one end of a USB-C cable to the controller and the other end to your device. Wait until your device recognizes the controller.

1. Put the Ultimate 2 Wireless controller in Bluetooth mode by flicking the Mode switch on the back to the BT position.
2. Turn on the controller by pressing the Home button.
3. Press and hold the Pair button for a few seconds until the status LEDs begin blinking rapidly.
4. Open the Bluetooth menu under the Steam OS device’s Settings menu. Turn on Bluetooth, and select “8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless" in the list of Bluetooth devices. The status LEDs will remain static once the controller is successfully paired.

After a successful connection, you can configure your controller under the Controller menu in the Settings app. Users can choose to rename the controller, turn on or off rumble, or choose to use Nintendo’s button layout.