I use my PS3 controller on my macbook and it just works for most games. Of course you'll have to translate the 360 buttons to PS3 buttons whilst playing, but that isn't really a problem.
Dec 7, 2011 - Having tried both the Xbox controller and the PS3 controller on my Mac I can say: the PS3 controller is somewhat easier to get working with the. This driver adds support to Mac OS X for the official Microsoft Xbox 360 wired controller. Along with all the buttons, both analog sticks, the analog triggers. Xbox 360 Controller for Mac Free.
Off the top of my head, games like Dust: An Elysian Tale, Bastion, Guacamalee, Trine 2 and Rogue Legacy work straight up. For games that don't support it at all, you'll find a workaround on any app that lets you translate PS3 controller inputs into keyboard inputs.
So just configure 'x' on the d-pad to whatever key is jump on the game, for example. I used one but it has been a while so I don't really remember the name to recommend you. I use my PS3 controller on my macbook and it just works for most games. Of course you'll have to translate the 360 buttons to PS3 buttons whilst playing, but that isn't really a problem. Off the top of my head, games like Dust: An Elysian Tale, Bastion, Guacamalee, Trine 2 and Rogue Legacy work straight up. For games that don't support it at all, you'll find a workaround on any app that lets you translate PS3 controller inputs into keyboard inputs.
So just configure 'x' on the d-pad to whatever key is jump on the game, for example. I used one but it has been a while so I don't really remember the name to recommend you. How did you connect your PS3 to the macbook? Just by the USB cable and it works, or do you need to download and install 3rd party drivers?
Basically i'm needing to know how to connect my PS3 controller to my new Mac mini running Lion. I have seen countless tutorials for Snow Leopard that tell you to plug it in via USB, press the PS button, unplug it then press it again and it pairs. When I do this on Lion however I get a popup asking for a passcode to continue.
I have tried 0000 and countless others but to no avail. I have also tried pairing it back with my PS3, then back with the Mac but get the same issue. Has anyone got this working, and can you tell me how? Same problem here. I had a Mac mini 2010 with SL and the PS3 controller worked.
I upgraded the Mac mini 2010 to Lion and the PS3 controller still worked. But now I have a new Mac mini 2011 and I get the passcode dialog when pairing.
Since it worked in Lion on an older Mac mini, I guess it's a hardware/driver issue. Really annoying since I have to find another solution to connect a gamepad. I know some wired USB gamepads work but I rather have a wireless solution. Maybe it worked on the Mac mini 2010 because it was a Lion upgrade and not a clean install. But then people who did do a clean install should have the same issue. This is driving me nuts! I too am getting that pairing code request!!
No luck with USB either. Please help!! Strangely enough, with the USB connected, deathspank was able to identify the controller connected but I couldn't configure/assign the keys correctly.
I have mid-2011 iMac i7 originally with SL and then I upgraded to Lion. I had a wireless xbox 360 controller that stopped working in Lion so I traded it with the dualshock PS3 controller at gamestop. Unfortunately, I'm now facing the same problem as you guys. Also frustrated just bought a ps3 controller so i could wirelessly play some platformers like LIMBO on my late 2011 27' iMac and i'm having the same problem. I do what everyone says should work: plug the controller in via USB, press the playstation center button, unplug, press the button again. And i'm prompted for a passcode.
I try 0000 and it connects briefly but DOES NOT PAIR! After a few seconds it drops the connection.
Nothing on this POS mac works like it's supposed to. If i still had the box i'd return it. Just bought a ps3 controller so i could wirelessly play some platformers like LIMBO on my late 2011 27' iMac and i'm having the same problem. I do what everyone says should work: plug the controller in via USB, press the playstation center button, unplug, press the button again.
And i'm prompted for a passcode. I try 0000 and it connects briefly but DOES NOT PAIR!
After a few seconds it drops the connection. Nothing on this POS mac works like it's supposed to. If i still had the box i'd return it. Hi, I just figured out how to use the PS3 controller in Lion, via bluetooth, no need for any drivers. It has not to be paired, just.configured.
and.added to favorites. devices under bluetooth pref pane. In order to do that, 1) plug the pad using the usb cable, unplug it. 2) don't care about the pairing request 3)Open Bluetooth Preferences (you have 15 sec) 4)select the ('connected' and 'configured' but not 'paired') 'Playstation3 controller' 5)add it to favorites 6) disconnect the controller from Bluetooth menu bar 7) push the PSX button on the controller, it will connect and you are ready to play. Tested on 10.7.2 1nd 10.7.3 on MacBookAir 2011 and MacMini Server 2011.
Hi, I just figured out how to use the PS3 controller in Lion, via bluetooth, no need for any drivers. It has not to be paired, just.configured. and.added to favorites. devices under bluetooth pref pane. In order to do that, 1) plug the pad using the usb cable, unplug it.
2) don't care about the pairing request 3)Open Bluetooth Preferences (you have 15 sec) 4)select the ('connected' and 'configured' but not 'paired') 'Playstation3 controller' 5)add it to favorites 6) disconnect the controller from Bluetooth menu bar 7) push the PSX button on the controller, it will connect and you are ready to play. Tested on 10.7.2 1nd 10.7.3 on MacBookAir 2011 and MacMini Server 2011. Hi, I just figured out how to use the PS3 controller in Lion, via bluetooth, no need for any drivers. It has not to be paired, just.configured.
and.added to favorites. devices under bluetooth pref pane. In order to do that, 1) plug the pad using the usb cable, unplug it. 2) don't care about the pairing request 3)Open Bluetooth Preferences (you have 15 sec) 4)select the ('connected' and 'configured' but not 'paired') 'Playstation3 controller' 5)add it to favorites 6) disconnect the controller from Bluetooth menu bar 7) push the PSX button on the controller, it will connect and you are ready to play.
Tested on 10.7.2 1nd 10.7.3 on MacBookAir 2011 and MacMini Server 2011. Basically i'm needing to know how to connect my PS3 controller to my new Mac mini running Lion. I have seen countless tutorials for Snow Leopard that tell you to plug it in via USB, press the PS button, unplug it then press it again and it pairs. When I do this on Lion however I get a popup asking for a passcode to continue.
I have tried 0000 and countless others but to no avail. I have also tried pairing it back with my PS3, then back with the Mac but get the same issue.
Has anyone got this working, and can you tell me how? Working for me I had same problem on MBP 2011 in Lion where it pairs, then drops connections shortly after, but got it to work finally heres what I did: 1. Open bluetooth from system preferences. Get your PS3 controller to ask for pairing passcode (pressing PSX button).
Then enter new passcode (I used letters only 'xxxx' don't know if it matters) 4. Now you should see PS3 Controller 'Connected' in that list of Bluetooth devices. Select it and click the little gear in the bottom left corner and select add to favorites and then update services.
THIS IS THE STEP THAT FINALLY MADE IT REMEMBER. Turn off Bluetooth right away before it asks to pair all over again. The lights on the controller should stop flashing. Turn Bluetooth back on. Press PSX button once and should pair in bluetooth right away. The lights will start flashing again and stay flashing all the time.
They turn off when you disconnect it from bluetooth or turn bluetooth off. Post if this works or not. MPB Early 2011 with OS Lion 10.7.3 Edit: I got the controller to be connected and lights off. After step 5, plug controller in USB, the lights should be flashing (slower though). Press the PSX button once, unplug USB, controller will pair in few seconds and lights will turn off.