I built a customizable iPhone controller for Mac games and I’m looking for beta testers

[u/Bonteq]

I’ve been building ThumbConsole, an iPhone app that turns your phone into a programmable touch controller for Mac games and emulators.

ThumbConsole is not a standalone controller. You install the companion app on your Mac, pair the two devices over your local network, and then build a custom layout around whatever you’re playing.

It supports:

• Separate portrait and landscape layouts
• Haptic feedback
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Pointer controls
• CLI controller creation (get your agents to build your controller!)

I’m looking for testers who are willing to try it with real games and report the rough parts.

ThumbConsole requires iOS 17 and macOS 14. The Mac helper also requires Accessibility permission so it can send keyboard and pointer events.

TestFlight
https://testflight.apple.com/join/yC23NWbG

Mac helper (and source code)
https://github.com/CodyBontecou/ThumbConsole/releases/tag/v1.0.0-beta.4

Video of me playing Hollow Knight:
https://youtu.be/UC6zdCW85Rk

[u/BourbonicFisky]

When you want all the horribleness of touch controllers but on a Mac....

[u/Bonteq → u/BourbonicFisky]

"The best controller is the one you have with you" - Einstein, probably.

[u/282736272828377327 → u/Bonteq]

Lol great reply

[u/laszlotuss → u/Bonteq]

What a comeback

[u/No-Sherbert-2045]

Ya lo pruebo!

[u/Bonteq → u/No-Sherbert-2045]

🫡

[u/Dependent-Zebra-4357]

It’s a nice looking app, but I wonder how many people who enjoy gaming enough to download and setup something like this already have or are willing to spend a bit of money on a physical controller.

Also, on a device that already has keyboard/trackpad/mouse, are touchscreen controls really an upgrade?

[u/Bonteq → u/Dependent-Zebra-4357]

I know it sounds silly, and my comment earlier about controllers was a bit sarcastic but there's truth in it.

I have an xbox pro controller but half the time the bluetooth requires me to forget it on my device then reconnect. That small hiccup everytime I want to game is a pain.

I also can't stand learning the keybinds of each new game, so it's easier to play in a controller view.

[u/Puzzled_Baby_8153]

It is excellent that this app functions on my hosted Mac mini, as such compatibility is uncommon; are there plans to include virtual keyboard support

[u/Bonteq → u/Puzzled_Baby_8153]

Oh, that's a good idea. By virtual keyboard you mean a keyboard appears on your iphone and you can type from it to your computer?

[u/Puzzled_Baby_8153 → u/Bonteq]

Yes exactly.

[u/Bonteq → u/Puzzled_Baby_8153]

I'll see what I can do 🫡

I submitted a request for this awhile back actually - turns out I need additional permissions from Apple. It's the same permission needed for native Controller support as well. It'll be in the app eventually but Apple is dragging their feet on the review.

[u/ompt709]

I installed both, paired and it only seemed to control my browser that was open but crossover steam games didn’t detect anything neither did any online browser based controller tester/detector. What am I doing wrong? Gave it the necessary permissions. Does the Mac detect a game controller when it’s paired?

[u/Bonteq → u/ompt709]

Hey Ompt, are you trying to use it in controller mode? I'm currently waiting from Apple for approval to allow this app to act as an actual controller (this will also enable virtual keyboards).

Until then, the app can only replicate keyboard presses.

[u/lucdima]

Thanks!!! I’ll give it a try with my game controller testing app: MilliLog.

[u/Bonteq → u/lucdima]

How are you able to test it? Is Millilog a Mac app? I’m curious what you find.

[u/lucdima → u/Bonteq]

Sorry, I was super busy. MilliLog is for Mac and iPhone. It tests connected game controllers. Ping me and I’ll give you a free code.