I am also experiencing this issue, and can provide a little more information.
If the Steam Deck is already in game mode, using the "Restart Steam" function from the power menu and then connecting the controller in dinput mode will enable the additional features (gyro, paddles, etc.) to be available. However, if the controller disconnects and then reconnects, it will once again be in "dumb" mode without those features. Utilizing the "Restart Steam" function of the Steam Deck followed be another reconnect of the controller in dinput mode will once again re-enable the lost functionality.
This is quite a bummer, as I just got this controller today and I've gotta decide if it's worth taking the gamble as to whether this bug will be resolved or not, or if I should just return the device and order something else.
I'm on the latest controller firmware, v1.0.9 I believe.
Nothing extracted yet.
Your system information
Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:
Until a few weeks ago, 8BitDo Ultimate 2 wireless controllers could be used in dinput mode to allow SteamOS to detect and map the back buttons and gyro functionality, without needing to program the controller directly (using the Windows software) or use the controllers Bluetooth mode.
This function has stopped working unless the controller is switched on BEFORE game mode is launched. If the controller is switched on after game mode is launched, it's detected as a regular "dumb" controller with basic functionality (no gyro or back button support).
This only happens on Steam Deck. This controller is working as expected on Windows 11 - however the Square capture button is no longer detected on both OS. I used to map this to "STEAM" to prevent the controller turning off if holding the default key.
Steps for reproducing this issue: