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[INPUT] 8BitDo Pro 3 misrecognised as 8BitDo Ultimate 2

steamopen Distro Family: ArchGeneral controller / Steam Input
ValveSoftware/steam-for-linux#13158 · opened 2026-05-05 by TheGeekno72 · updated 2026-05-17 · 3 comments · github
TTheGeekno72 2026-05-05 github

Your system information

  • Steam client version (build number or date): 1778003620
  • Distribution (e.g. Ubuntu): CachyOS 7.0.3-1
  • Opted into Steam client beta?: [No]
  • Have you checked for system updates?: [Yes]
  • Steam Logs: [steam-logs.tar.gz]
  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT

Please describe your issue in as much detail as possible:

Hi there!

I have a little bit of a problem with controller recognition : I own an 8BitDo Pro 3, which I used to connect to Windows months ago and it was recognized as such by Steam. Fast forward to a few months later, I ditched Windows for Linux (in my case, CachyOS) and I get controller hookup just fine, except it is recognized as an 8BitDo Ultimate 2. Now, it wouldn't be an issue if controls remained strictly identical, but they aren't : the Pro 3 has L4/R4 buttons & back paddles (L5/R5?) which are not accounted for when I run the "Test Device Input" via the Controller settings submenu.

Note : I tested this both with the 2.4G dongle it came with & with a USB cable; in both cases, KDED does show a popup telling me it has been recognized by my PC as a "Pro 3"

Thank you in advance,
Geek

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Steps for reproducing this issue:

  1. Hooking 8BD Pro 3 via dongle or cable
  2. Open controller test panel from Steam client controller settings
  3. Notice controller being misrecognized as another model of the same brand, missing buttons
Aand2294164 2026-05-12 github

I am having the same issue. Strangely, when bluetooth pairing the controller with my Steam Deck, it recognized the controller as the pro 3.

  • Kernel: Linux 7.0.5-2-cachyos
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (12) @ 4.65 GHz
  • GPU: AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
AALEKSCRAFTPLAY 2026-05-15 github

same issue here

TTheGeekno72 2026-05-16 github

Strangely, when bluetooth pairing the controller with my Steam Deck

I noticed something : setting the controller to its "S/X" mode (note: this is the only mode that supports the 2.4G dongle) Steam recognizes it as an Ultimate 2

the problem is, it is also the "Switch" mode so it randomly gets recognized as a Nintendo Switch controller as well and I haven't figured out how to get it properly recognized in X-input instead

however, in "D" mode (which I assume stands for desktop), when plugged by cable, it gets recognized as Pro 3 with the full suite of controls; paddles, L4/R4 buttons included as well as the official 8BD Pro 3 design & buttons in the test suite

I couldn't try bluetooth as my desktop's bluetooth dongle sucks with Linux (gotta get one compatible, can't install an Intel wifi/BT card, no slot available) but I gotta check if the 8BitDo website has a firmware update available for it (or instructions on how to stay in X-input when using the 2.4G mode)

EDIT : the D-mode is recommended by the 8BD Pro 3 user manual explicitly for Steam/SteamOS use. That said, X-input also carries over controller information, still interpreted by Steam as an Ultimate 2

Nothing extracted yet.