Gamepad & computers

JoyLink is a standard generic (DirectInput) gamepad, not an Xbox (XInput) controller. Games that only support XInput need Steam in between: open Steam → Settings → Controller and enable Steam Input for generic controllers; for a game outside Steam, use “Add a Non-Steam Game” and launch it from there. Steam then presents it as a controller the game understands, and lets you remap any button.

Turn on Settings → Connection → Simple mode (gamepad only). JoyLink then announces itself purely as a gamepad. The link drops for a second or two and comes back on its own. The trade-off: touchpad, keyboard and media keys stop working while it is on.

Right now LT and RT are plain press/release buttons — the most compatible option across hosts. For progressive throttle and brake, use the racing wheel mode, where the pedals are sent as analogue axes.

Turn on Settings → Gamepad → L3 / R3 buttons. Two extra buttons appear on the layout, and they work like every other button: hold one down and it stays down, so sprinting with L3 while pushing the stick works. They are off by default because most mobile games never use them. The sticks themselves only steer — tapping a stick sends nothing.

It is in the same range as a regular Bluetooth controller, which most games never show. To keep it steady: stay close to the host, disconnect Bluetooth devices you are not using, turn off battery saver on the phone, and enable Keep screen on so the system doesn't throttle the app.

Press and hold “Hold to exit” in the top-right corner. The whole screen is a control surface, so a long press keeps a stray tap from throwing you out of a game.

Turn on Settings → Feedback → Keep screen on. The screen then stays awake while the gamepad is open. The racing wheel keeps the screen on regardless of this switch.

This phone's battery level, not the host's. On the racing wheel screen the same spot shows the axis mapping currently in use.

It is a troubleshooting aid. When on, the gamepad screen shows the raw data being sent. Open a gamepad tester web page on the host and you can check, button by button, that everything lands on the right number.