PS3 Sixaxis & Dualshock Controller for Android

I'm confused! Where do I begin?

Download and install the 'Sixaxis Compatibility Checker' from the Android Market, and the SixaxisPairTool from here. Next, follow the instructions here. If the compatibility checker reports your phone as being compatible, you can then download the 'Sixaxis Controller' app from the Android Market, and start playing games!

What is 'root access' and why is it required?

Root access gives certain applications elevated privileges and is required because current implementations of Android do not naturally supported the required protocols for communicating with the Sixaxis controller.

When I click 'Start', it says 'Error: Missing required protocol'. What's wrong?

Most probably your phone is not supported. See here.

I've run SixaxisPairTool and connected my controller via USB cable, but it still just says 'Searching...'. What do I do next?

There is a known problem with swapping the USB port that you plug the controller in to. Try re-installing SixaxisPairTool with the controller still connected via USB cable. We are currently working on a fix for this.

When I try to run SixaxisPairTool I receive an error message stating 'libusb0.dll is missing from your computer'. Help?

With the controller plugged in via USB cable, open up the Device Manager and look for something called 'HID-compliant game device'. Uninstall this device driver, then re-install SixaxisPairTool. The problem should be solved.

I'm using MotionInJoy to pair, but when I press the power button, it won't connect to Sixaxis Controller.

MotionInJoy requires that you type your bluetooth address in reversed order. I.e. If your phones address is 1A:2B:3C:4D:5E:6F, then you need to type it as 6F:5E:4D:3C:2B:1A.

I'm stuck and my problem isn't listed in the FAQ, what should I do!?

If you are fairly sure your phone is compatible and you can't find answers anywhere, send me an email via the Contact page and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Sixaxis Compatibility Checker

Sixaxis Controller

Sixaxis Pairing Tool

V0.1 - Download File
V0.2.3 -Download File

To use the Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers, you must first pair them to the device you would like to use them with. This must be done with a Mini-USB cable and PC running windows.

To do this, first download and install the setup program below and follow the instructions.

Once installed, run the program by clicking on its shortcut from the start menu. A window will appear that contains a line reading Current Master: Searching... You can now plug the controller in via the USB cable and the text should change from 'Searching' to some text in the format xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx. This is the bluetooth address of the device that the controller is currently paired with. To pair the controller with your phone, you need to know its bluetooth address. This address will be displayed at the bottom of the 'Sixaxis Controller' application on your phone after you have clicked the 'Start' button. Once you have this address, you should enter it into the SixaxisPairTool exactly as shown, then click the 'Update' button. The 'Current Master' should now match the address of your phone and you can move on to the next step.

Important: There was a problem with version 0.2.2 and earlier of the tool that would stop the driver from correctly installing. Version 0.2.3 should remedy this problem. Apologies for the inconvenience. If you still experience problems with the latest version, please let me know.

For those having problems with the latest version, please try this old version. It's located in Downloads.

Alternatively, there is a utility for linux, called 'sixpair', that you should be able to find floating around the internet.

Step 1. Download

Download and install the application from the Android Market. It is highly recommended that you first download the 'Sixaxis Compatibility Checker' app to make sure your phone is compatible before purchasing the full application.

Step 2. Bluetooth

Tap the 'start' button and wait for bluetooth to initiate. If you get an 'Error: Missing required protocol' message, your device is not supported.

Step 3. Pair

If not already done, you must manually pair the controller with your phone. This can be done using 'SixaxisPairTool', or with 'MotionInJoy' or the linux utility 'sixpair'. Your phones bluetooth address should be shown at the bottom of the main application window and will look something like 1A:3C:13:00:21:C2; you need to enter this number into the 'SixaxisPairTool' as shown. This process only needs to be done the first time a controller is used on a different device, so if you only use the controller on one phone, you will only need to do it once.

Step 4. Test

Once paired, unplug the USB cable and press the power button on the controller. If successful, the lights on the controller will stop blinking and a single light will remain on.

Step 5. Compatibility Test

If you are running the compatibility checker, and pressing buttons on the controller results in button presses showing up in the app, congratulations, you can now download the full app.

Step 6. Change Input Method

Tap the 'Change Input Method' button and select 'Sixaxis Controller'. You should now be able to use the controller in any games or applications that support key bindings, such as many emulators.

Step 7. Add Controllers (If you want)

Subsequent controllers can be added at any time by pressing their power buttons.
*** You can change the fallback input method and key mappings in the applications settings.

Enable "Use Input Method"