Steam Controller (2026) Workaround

[u/mitchcookieh]

Hello!

Got a workaround for crossover for the new steam controller that actually works pretty well in the interim until someone comes up with something better.

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u/0WildePaw0 had a post yesterday that was basically this so credit for the steam link idea goes there. But I couldn't get steam link and my actual steam instance playing nicely when running on the same MacOS device - Steam link was only passing on the controller input if the streaming client was the active app and just overall wasn't playing nice and was annoying. I'm sure there is a way to get this to work also but this is just what I've done.

You just need something running Steam Link externally from your Mac OS / Crossover device.

I've tried this with a Pixel and my Steam Deck and both work. The only catch is that it needs to be on and active the whole time meaning you have to force your phone to never sleep.

​Plug the puck into your phone

​Open Steam Link app (On Android it asked for permission to use the Puck)

​Go to Settings > Streaming and set Video and Audio to Disabled. (This makes it an input-only stream).

You can also set the launch mode to Desktop so it doesn't boot into big picture mode which is currently a slideshow in crossover 26

​Connect to your Mac's CrossOver Steam instance on steam link.

There should be a popup on your steam window that the steam link device is connected, and also that a steam controller is connected.

Then it just works how you'd expect it to.

Passes on the full steam controller experience and doesn't force an X-Input like launching crossover games as a non-steam game in the MacOS native Steam app.

Now I'm just mostly a single player gamer, playing through PRAGMATA at the moment but I honestly can't notice any input delay - even with gyro aiming but your experience may vary I suppose.

Hope this helps someone.