Controller Manager
Controller Manager is a free, MIT-licensed Linux daemon that changes how physical controllers appear to the system.
What Controller Manager is
Controller Manager is a free, MIT-licensed Linux daemon that changes how physical controllers appear to the system. For example, it can make a Sony DualSense present as an Xbox 360 pad. Users can switch each connected controller between native and remapped modes from the system tray, and the software tracks identical devices separately so each can use a different mode. Since remapping happens at the device layer, it applies across launchers and applications, including Steam and Proton. Tested controller families include Sony DualSense and Microsoft Xbox One and Series pads over USB and Bluetooth. The tray menu updates when devices connect or disconnect. In remapped mode, a raw HID gate hides the original controller's raw HID node from applications to address double input. A modern Linux desktop, user systemd session, StatusNotifierItem tray host, and write access to /dev/uinput are required. The project notes that emulating two DualSense pads can leave an extra, inactive PlayStation controller entry in Steam.
Good
- Free and MIT licensed
- Switch modes separately for each controller
- Remapping applies across launchers and applications
- Tray updates on controller connection changes
- Supports DualSense and Xbox One and Series families
Watch out
- Requires a modern Linux desktop and user systemd session
- Needs a StatusNotifierItem tray host
- Requires write access to /dev/uinput
- Two emulated DualSense pads can show an extra Steam entry
Who it suits
This tool suits Linux users who want to remap supported physical controllers across launchers and applications. It can also help users who need different modes for multiple identical controllers.
Verdict
Controller Manager provides device-level remapping with per-controller mode selection on Linux. Check the desktop requirements and the documented Steam entry issue before using it with two emulated DualSense pads.
Plans and prices
From Controller Manager's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Controller Manager | Free | MIT-licensed Linux controller remapper |
The facts
Each one read from Controller Manager's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Application compatibility
- Remapping occurs at the device layer and applies across launchers and applications, including Steam and Proton.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Per-device modes
- Each connected controller can be set to native or remapped mode from the system tray.checked 11 Oct 2026
What it does
- DualSense lightbar
- The DualSense lightbar uses blue for native mode and green for Xbox emulation, with its resting colour restored after games exit.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Hotplug
- The tray menu updates automatically as controllers are connected or disconnected.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project describes compatibility with Steam, Proton, and any launcher; the tray interface is served over D-Bus.checked 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Multiple controllers
- It tracks identical controllers independently by stable per-device identity, allowing different modes for each.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The project documents an inert extra PlayStation controller entry in Steam when two DualSense pads are both emulated.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Optional dependency
- A HID-BPF descriptor fixup for a specific Bluetooth Xbox pad requires additional tools and a kernel with CONFIG_HID_BPF and BTF; the rest installs if these are unavailable.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Controller Manager is a system-wide Linux daemon that remaps a physical controller to another protocol, such as presenting a Sony DualSense as an Xbox 360 pad.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- It requires a modern Linux desktop with a user systemd session, a StatusNotifierItem tray host, and write access to /dev/uinput.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Security behavior
- A raw HID gate hides the source controller's raw HID node from applications in remapped mode to address double input.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Supported controllers
- Tested families are Sony DualSense and Microsoft Xbox One and Series pads over USB and Bluetooth.checked 11 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Controller Manager
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PadLink
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