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How to connect PS3 controller to a Mac or PC
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How to connect PS3 controller to a Mac or PC.md

How to connect PS3 controller to a Mac or PC

This is how you connect PS3 controller to Mac OSX, PC, etc. when previously connected to a PS3. You will need a Mini USB cable. Overcome your laziness, get up of your chair, and go get one!

A big misconception is that keep holding PS button will reset the controller's pairing. It DOES NOT! From my testings, the controller keeps paring with the last machine it was CONNECTED VIA A USB CABLE.

Here are the steps:

  1. Turn OFF your PS3 controller by either...
    • hold PS button -> Turn off Controller, OR
    • insert paperclip into pinhole near L2 button.
  2. Use a USB cable, connect the controller to your new machine you want.
  3. Wait a second until the red light on the controller flashes, unplug the USB cable. Now the controller's setting is reset.
  4. On your computer, go to System Preferences (OS X) or Control Panel (PC)
  5. Open Bluetooth settings page. Start Scanning.
  6. Turn ON the controller by pressing the PS button. Wait a few seconds.
  7. If it asks for Access Code, enter 0000.
  8. Now connected! (yey)

Tested on:

  • PS3 Console
  • MacBook Pro (Early 2011) with OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Note:

  • If you have Steam opened, hitting PS button will switch Steam into full screen mode. Pretty sleek.
@nchauley
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Howdy folks. Works right off the bat in Sierra 10.12.1:

  1. Reset controller - (on the controller itself) insert paper clip into pinhole near L2 button.
  2. Use controller USB cable and connect to your Mac.
  3. Turn ON the controller by pressing the PS button. *Controller lights will fast blink
  4. Open Bluetooth preferences on Mac, controller should automatically pair (no msg to enter pair PIN code)
    • controller will be listed under devices as:

screen shot 2016-12-15 at 4 55 41 pm

  1. Controller works with or w/out USB cable. *Lights on controller will constantly fast blink (wired or unwired) while connected to Mac and during game play.

@MattTreichelYeah
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Echoing multiple controller problems, for some strange reason I'm able to have 4 paired in the Bluetooth list but only 2 of them connected at one time. At one point I swear I had 3 connected but I think it was a fluke.

@mookeljackson
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mookeljackson commented Dec 29, 2016 •
edited

Hey yo. Just thought I'd pop this in here, because I had a lot of trouble with this, but it is now solved. Was originally running a PS3 controller w/ Yosemite, and the issue was a complete lack of connection between the Mac and the controller. Initially thought it was an issue w/ Yosemite not supporting it, so I deleted the directory /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist - reset SMC/PRAM, everything. Even updated to Sierra. No joy. However, the original control I bought was not an authentic Sony Control, which came with a USB cord, and it was only when I swapped that cord on a whim, is that it worked in but a second. Might be unique to my situation, but I tried everything else. May help. x

@InPen
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InPen commented Mar 17, 2017

Hi everyone,

I was successful syncing my PS3 remote to my mac via Bluetooth and I also configured the buttons in Dolphin but my controller is still not functional :/ am I missing a ps3 software installation or something?

screen shot 2017-03-17 at 1 38 09 pm
screen shot 2017-03-17 at 1 53 42 pm

@asahui
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asahui commented Mar 20, 2017

Hi, everyone

It looks like nobody talks about rumble issue. I can get my PS3 controller used in Sierra 10.12.3 (even though the light flash constantly), but I could not get the rumble working or even have it tested. I tried games on steam that support rumble both on Windows and MacOSX, and it worked on Windows but not MacOSX. Is it a problem just in Sierra？

@selimanac
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selimanac commented Jan 15, 2018 •
edited

not working on High Sierra :( v10.13.2. It is connected easily but no data flow.

@chiggpatel1
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Also not working on High Sierra :( v10.13.2. It is connected easily but no data flow.

@chiggpatel1
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I found a way to connect it to a PC even with bluetooth
https://www.techmen.net/connect-ps3-controller-pc/

@gustavopi
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I got something! I did so many things in my High Sierra Macbook Pro 2012 that is difficult to say why is working. But I can say this: I have three ps3 controllers, one 100% original untested (will use only with my console), a good imitation and a bad imitation. The bad imitation won't even apear on the bluetooth list, it's virtually impossible to connect. The good imitation can be used. It will connect but will blink all the time and the bt will say is not connected, but I can play Alien Isolation! However, I have to keep it wired or it will turn off automatically. Maybe with some third-part software will work properly.

Also, I must say the bluetooth control of macOS High Sierra is the same crap of all predecessors systems. The panel is to simplistic, does not give any details of devices, does not provide any feedback of tasks, it's unstable and not even my iPhone works right, I gave up using bluetooth mouse. I cannot understand why Apple did so lazy job with Bluetooth.

@viraldigi
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You can also take help of google or watch video on youtube to solve your problem.
feel free to visit my website - https://sggreek.com/

@requeijaum
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Doesn't work from PowerPC Leopard (10.5)... I'm investigating this...

@Pokepig96
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Hi i'm on a macbook air 2017 with 10.15
It keeps flashing and won't stop flashing
help?

@vfxdev
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vfxdev commented Dec 28, 2019

Worked perfectly on 10.15.2. Thanks!

@moburkhardt
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Having issues under MacOS 11, wired with a USB Cable I am able to receive the input on the M1 MacBook Pro, but once I go wireless even though a connection is displayed in the BT menu I am not able to register any inputs or even that a controller is available.

was troubleshooting with https://gamepad-tester.com and https://vividmachine.com/controllers/

@obrien-k
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Doesn't work from PowerPC Leopard (10.5)... I'm investigating this...

I'm just curious what you're running in 2019 on Leopard! Haha

@tejaswani12
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This information is impressive; I am impressed by your post-writing style and the consistency with which you describe this subject. Thanks for taking the time to address this in your post; it makes me happy, and I'm interested in learning more about it.

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@roger23p
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roger23p commented Jul 1, 2021 •
edited

I too had the same problem with my Play station 3 and I could not find it untill Play station 4 came into business. I really want to solve this problem but what else can we do I had to go to buy new PS4 and I want to tell you that it is really amazing. Thanks for listening to me. Also, the information shared here is amazing.
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@TurnOffTheTV
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I tried, but this doesn't work with a motion controller or navigation controller (I think). It'd be completely pointless, because I think they'd register as seperate controllers, but I'm a little disappointed.

@myalban
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myalban commented Nov 8, 2021

don't work on Monterey anymore

@hellosagar
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is there is any work around or script to get it working?

@josephschito
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Found a solution! Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FU5oQs7jnw
😄

@dseddah
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dseddah commented May 11, 2024

just a quick note to say that I've managed to pair my ps3 controllers. on Ventura 13.6.3, macbook pro 16'', M1 max (mid 2021)
could play OpenLara without any trouble.
Weirdthing is that it's recognized as "Gamepad" (even though it's supposed to be a genuine sony controller. But bought over ebay, came with a genuinely old sony box. feel ligther than the one I had with the ps3 tbh.

I had to completely switch off the PS3 btw before the pairing worked.

@hlung
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hlung commented May 12, 2024

@dseddah glad it worked!

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