Some Users Experiencing Issues With Game Controllers in macOS Monterey 12.3

Following the macOS 12.3 update that was released on March 14, some Mac users have run into issues with game controllers after installing the new software.

xbox series x controller microsoft
Complaints on the Apple Developer Forums and Reddit suggest that some Xbox, PlayStation, and other third-party controllers are not functioning over Bluetooth. Not all users appear to be affected, as some people have said that their controllers are operating as expected, so it's not quite clear what's going on.

Those who are experiencing problems connect their controllers to their Macs using Bluetooth and then are unable to use the controllers in Mac games. Some with problematic controllers have been able to use the controllers on the web, but for some, the controllers do not work at all. From the Apple Developer Forums:

Also experiencing the same issue. My Nimbus + Controller won't work with Apple Arcade after updating to Monterey 12.3. I'm able to connect via bluetooth, but none of the buttons work. I'm sure there are a lot of Mac Gamers with the same issue and hopefully Apple fixes this soon.

Other users have been able to get their controllers working for some games, but not others:

Same problems here. My controller is working in some games, but not everywhere:

- macOS: 12.3 (21E230)
- Xbox Wireless Controller:
- Manufacture ID: 0x045E
- Product ID: 0x02FD
- Firmware: 9.0.3
- Additional type: Gamepad

Working in apps:
- Steam
- Pac-Man Party
- The Pathless

NOT working in apps:
- Sonic racing
- Asphalt 8+
- Agent Intercept

Those with controllers experiencing issues have attempted to remove the controller from the Bluetooth menu and re-connect it, but that does not appear to fix the problem. There is no known fix for problematic controllers at this time, so it may be something that Apple has to address in a future software update.

Related Forum: macOS Monterey

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Top Rated Comments

msfdc Avatar
34 months ago

Thank you for publishing this on MacRumors frontpage, Juli, this will give more visibility to the issue
Booting into safe mode solved the problem for me.
Once you have the controller works properly under safe mode, you can reboot the system and the controller should work fine in normal mode.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
scotty321 Avatar
34 months ago
The Mac has games?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Treq Avatar
34 months ago

The Mac has games?
Not as many as Windows, but yes and on my Mac studio Max they play buttery smooth. Downloaded shadow of the tomb raider and played it at 4k with ultra settings with no issues whatsoever for about an hour. When I was done I checked how hot the chassis was… cool to the touch. Like cold metal. Not even a little warm. My 2018 mini with an i7 would be too hot to handle if I watched a 4k movie for 15 min.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stiligFox Avatar
34 months ago
Man, 12.3 has been a mess... completely borking Navi GPUs, borking M1 Macs with replaced logic boards, and now this...
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ImperialForces Avatar
34 months ago
Apple needs to double down on gaming. Most of the people I know who would never buy a Mac typically bring up “Macs can’t play games”.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
34 months ago

Most of the people I know who would never buy a Mac typically bring up “Macs can’t play games”.
Think about what you just typed, does that make a lot of sense to ask their opinions about gaming on Macs? :D
It exists just not to the same abundance as platforms that game vendors specifically target.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)