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Controller Manager
What it is
Controller Manager is a free, MIT-licensed Linux daemon for changing how physical game controllers appear to software. It can present a Sony DualSense as an Xbox 360-style pad, with each connected controller set independently to native or remapped mode from a system-tray menu. Identical controllers are tracked separately, so one can remain native while another is remapped. Because conversion occurs at the device layer, the selected protocol applies across launchers and applications, including Steam and Proton. Tested families include Sony DualSense and Microsoft Xbox One and Series controllers connected by USB or Bluetooth. The tray updates when devices connect or disconnect, and DualSense lightbar colors indicate native or emulated mode. A raw HID gate hides the source node during remapping to address duplicate input. Controller Manager requires a modern Linux desktop, a user systemd session, a StatusNotifierItem tray host, and write access to /dev/uinput.
For and against
For
- Free and MIT licensed
- Per-device native or remapped modes
- Works across Steam and Proton
- USB and Bluetooth controller support
- Automatic hotplug tray updates
Against
- Linux only
- No per-app profiles
- Requires systemd session and tray host
- Extra Steam entry with two emulated DualSense pads
The verdict
Controller Manager focuses on system-wide Linux remapping with independent device control and virtual controller output. Check its desktop and /dev/uinput requirements before installing, especially when using multiple DualSense pads.
Who it suits
It suits Linux players who need controller protocol conversion across games and launchers. It is also useful when identical controllers need different modes.
Plans and prices
Controller Manager
MIT-licensed Linux controller remapper
Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Application compatibility
- Remapping occurs at the device layer and applies across launchers and applications, including Steam and Proton.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- DualSense lightbar
- The DualSense lightbar uses blue for native mode and green for Xbox emulation, with its resting colour restored after games exit.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Hotplug
- The tray menu updates automatically as controllers are connected or disconnected.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project describes compatibility with Steam, Proton, and any launcher; the tray interface is served over D-Bus.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Multiple controllers
- It tracks identical controllers independently by stable per-device identity, allowing different modes for each.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The project documents an inert extra PlayStation controller entry in Steam when two DualSense pads are both emulated.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Per-device modes
- Each connected controller can be set to native or remapped mode from the system tray.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Supported controllers
- Tested families are Sony DualSense and Microsoft Xbox One and Series pads over USB and Bluetooth.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
