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✦ Mac keyboard · spare phone · third controller ✦

🎮 Pocket Gamepad 随身手柄

Friends over and only two Joy-Con? Use your Mac keyboard or a spare phone as a third controller instead of buying a Pro Controller. It connects over your Wi-Fi to a Nintendo Switch running Atmosphère with sys-botbase.

Download for macOS ↓Buy a license · US$1.99Free 7-day trial, then US$1.99 once · macOS 14 or later · notarized by Apple

⚠️ Check this first

  • The console runs Atmosphère with sys-botbase installed. Stock firmware does not work.
  • Your Mac and the console are on the same Wi-Fi.
  • It adds one player: two Joy-Con plus one.

⌨️ Default keys

  • WASD→Left stick (Shift = half tilt)
  • ↑↓←→→D-pad
  • KSpace→A
  • J→B
  • I→X
  • U→Y
  • QE→L / R
  • ZC→ZL / ZR
  • Enter→+
  • Backspace→−
  • H→HOME
  • P→Capture

⌃` turns keyboard control on and off. Every key can be remapped.

⚡

One-click connect

Finds the console on your local network, connects, resets the virtual controller and turns on keyboard control.

⌨️

Keyboard control everywhere

With Accessibility permission it keeps working while other apps are in front. ⌃` toggles it; mapped keys do not leak into other apps, and ⌘ shortcuts still work.

📱

Phone as a controller

On the same Wi-Fi, scan the QR code in the app and the phone’s browser shows a landscape touch controller. Nothing to install.

🤝

Keyboard and phone together

Use the keyboard and phones at the same time; they drive the same controller.

🎛️

Remap anything

Every key can be remapped. Two presets: “Classic” puts the D-pad on the arrow keys, “3D action” puts the right stick there.

🕹️

Live controller picture

A controller picture in the app lights up the button each key is pressing.

Setup

  1. 1

    Install sys-botbase on the console: download the release, copy its atmosphere folder to the root of the SD card and reboot into Atmosphère. sys-botbase releases

  2. 2

    Download Pocket Gamepad and open it.

  3. 3

    Allow Local Network access when macOS asks.

  4. 4

    Optionally grant Accessibility permission so the keyboard works while other apps are in front.

  5. 5

    Turn on One-click connect.

  6. 6

    On the console, open Change Grip/Order and press Q+E (L+R), then K (A).

FAQ

Does it work on a console with stock firmware?

No. It only works with consoles running Atmosphère with sys-botbase. Stock firmware only accepts real Bluetooth or USB controllers.

How many controllers can it add?

One. sys-botbase provides exactly one virtual controller, so it is two Joy-Con plus one. The keyboard and every phone all control that same controller.

What network does it need?

Your Mac and the console must be on the same Wi-Fi. If you use a phone as the controller, the phone joins that Wi-Fi too.

Buttons stopped responding after the console slept?

Click Reset virtual controller in the app.

Does it cost anything?

Try it free for 7 days, then pay US$1.99 once to keep it — no subscription. One license activates up to 3 Macs. Payment goes through Lemon Squeezy and the license key is emailed to you.

Is this affiliated with Nintendo?

No. Pocket Gamepad is an independent tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by Nintendo. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo, named here only to describe compatibility.

📎 The full setup walkthrough is on the blog (in Chinese): An extra Switch controller from a Mac keyboard and a phone →

Support · Privacy Policy

Pocket Gamepad is not affiliated with Nintendo. Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.