Gaming on a Mac is not what Apple is historically known for. However, with Apple delving into the fledgling virtual and augmented reality space, some traditional game interfaces and not so traditional interfaces (think HTC wands or Valve's knuckle controllers) now need to be supported on macOS to reap the VR/AR benefits to their fullest.
Connect your headset to your Xbox controller. Insert the plug for the headset into the controller's expansion port, which is located on the bottom of the controller directly below the arrowpad. You can now begin using your headset and adjust the volume as needed. The xbox wireless controller with the plug and play cord won't work on a PC. You either need to use the xbox wired controller or the xbox wireless controller for a PC. The xbox wireless controller for a Pc has a transmitter that is specific for a PC. You can purchase the transmitter seperately, but it's only $10 cheaper than buying the complete unit.
To ready you for some amazing VR pilot games such as Eve: Valkyrie that utilize a traditional game Xbox game controller, we're here to show you how to connect one to your Mac! In the past this method only applied to the Xbox 360 controller, but the latest version of the software you'll be using also now supports the Xbox One controller.
How to download and install the drivers
We're assuming that you already own a wired Xbox controller, but if you're needing to buy, a standard controller is about $50. You'll need to connect it to your Mac using a microUSB cable which, sadly, isn't included. If you buy a third-party wired controller you won't have to worry about this.
Next, follow these steps.
- Launch Safari.
- Navigate to https://github.com/360/Controller/360Controller/releases.
- Download the latest release of the 360Controller driver. As of this writing, the latest release is 0.16.5.
- Go to your Downloads folder in Finder.
- Double-click the 360Controllerinstall_*.dmg file.
- Double-click the Install360Controller.pkg that pops up in Finder.
- Click Continue.
- Again, click Continue.
- Select to Agree the license agreement.
- Click Install.
- Agree to allow a restart of the computer by clicking Continue Installation.
- Click Restart.
- You can optionally have the downloaded file Moved to Trash.
- Upon restarting the computer start System Preferences from the dock or the menu.
- Click on Xbox 360 Controllers.
How to connect your Xbox 360 controller
Once you've installed the drivers, you'll now logically see that there are No devices found, since we have yet to physically connect the game controller to the Mac.
- Plug in your controller to your Mac. If you have a current model MacBook or MacBook Pro, you'll need a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
- Click OK when the System Extension Blocked warning message pops up.
- Go into System Preferences via the dock or menu.
- Click Security & Privacy.
- Under the General tab click the Lock at the bottom left.
- Enter your password and click Unlock.
- Click Allow.
Your Xbox wired controller should now be connected!
Final thoughts
I am super stoked about developers climbing aboard the VR/AR hype train. As a mere consumer of VR, I can only hope for more and more creative minds to get on board. If you're a VR/AR developer, or even better yet, a macOS VR/AR developer, what other ways can Apple help promote virtual reality on their platform? Let us know in the comments!
Updated April 2018: Updated to reflect that this method also now supports the Xbox One controller.
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Note The USB ports on the front of your computer may not be powered USB 2.0 ports. Try using one of the ports on the back of your computer.
A green light on the receiver indicates that the unit is working.
- If the Add New Hardware Wizard starts automatically, select Install the software automatically (Recommended), and then select Next. If the wizard installs the software successfully, select Finish and then skip to Step 3: Connect the Xbox 360 wireless controller to your computer, below.If the wizard fails to install the software, continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Install the Xbox gaming receiver software
If you have the installation disc that came with your Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver, you can install the software from that disc. If you don’t have the disc, you can install the software by downloading it online.
Install using the installation CD:
- Insert the installation disc into the CD or DVD drive of your computer. If the setup program doesn’t automatically start, browse to your CD or DVD drive and run the setup program.
- Follow the steps to install the software.Note You might be prompted to restart your computer after the installation is complete.
Install by downloading the software:
- Go to the Software Downloads section of the Microsoft Hardware website.
- In the Search for download field, type 'Xbox' and select Gaming as the product type.
- Select Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows as the product (this is the software for the wireless gaming receiver).
- Select the version of Microsoft Windows you’re using on your computer, select your operating system language, and then select Download.
- Select Run.
- The Xbox 360 Accessories setup program installs the necessary files to your computer.Note You might be prompted to restart your computer after the installation is complete.
Step 3: Connect the Xbox 360 wireless controller to your computer
- Turn on the Xbox 360 wireless controller by pressing and holding the Guide button .
- On the receiver, press the connect button, which is a circular button located near the middle of the receiver. The light will flash green.