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Steam Link AppleTV controller support broken
I have been trying to get the AppleTV Steam Link app working with a controller properly without success.
- Both the Xbox Elite 2 and PS5 controller work as expected with the AppleTV. However, the Xbox/PS button opens the AppleTV menu and is unusable in Steam as a result. This breaks chords among other things.
- The Steam Link control remapping feature correctly identifies the Elite 2 as having an extra button and 4 paddles - but they are not detected when pushed.
- The 2026 Steam Controller is referenced. After pairing with the AppleTV the Steam Link app does not detect the controller.

I see an April post saying the Xbox/PS button would be fixed next build, but this seems to have never happened or regressed.

Combined with issues getting HDR to work correctly and virtual display issues I am questioning whether this app is functional.
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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments
slouken
Jun 23 @ 7:17am 
The Xbox/PS button opens the Apple TV menu, and there's nothing Steam Link can do about that, the OS overrides the behavior of that button.

Similarly, while Steam recognizes that the Xbox Elite 2 controller has additional buttons, the OS does not pass them on to the application. Again, Apple is in control of this and there's nothing we can do here.

I just paired the new Steam Controller with the Apple TV here and it works as expected. What version of tvOS are you running?
#1
Mellified
Jun 23 @ 11:49am 
Latest version of AppleTV OS available according to Settings.
#2
Mellified
Jun 23 @ 12:54pm 
I verified the iOS version is 26.5 (23L471).

I removed all controllers and re-paired the Steam Controller.

I restarted the AppleTV.

Same behavior. The Steam controller navigates the Apple TV fine - including touchpads - but Steam Link says no controller is connected.
Last edited by Mellified; Jun 23 @ 1:11pm
#3
Mellified
Jun 24 @ 12:09pm 
@slouken - Appreciate any suggestions you have.
#4
Lollers
Jun 27 @ 6:37am 
@slouken I can confirm that something is broken. I’m trying to pair my new Steam Controller to the Apple TV 4K and while I can get it to pair by manually adding it in the Bluetooth devices settings, and it’ll even work for navigating the Apple TV but Steam link won’t recognize it as a gamepad.

Work fine on my iPhone and iPad, just the TV that is absolutely won’t work. Also using the latest non-beta tvOS 26.5 (23L471)
#5
Lollers
Jun 27 @ 6:43am 
Originally posted by slouken:
I just paired the new Steam Controller with the Apple TV here and it works as expected.

I’ve seen several people on Reddit with the same issue but only one person that it works for, apart from you https://www.reddit.com/r/SteamController/s/PkpIfRz9J6
#6
slouken
Jul 9 @ 10:10am 
Can you try reinstalling the Steam Link app and then granting any permissions it requests? Steam Link needs Bluetooth permissions in order to talk to the controller.
#7
Lollers
Jul 25 @ 6:37am 
Thanks @slouken

Didn’t recall getting that permission request previously but after reinstalling it did ask for BT permission and after allowing it and pairing my controller again it actually worked for me! @Mellified you should try this out as well

By the way it’s a little annoying that you always need to re-pair when switching to another device but maybe that’s inherent with the way the Stream Controller BT works
#8
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Steam Link > Apple iOS / Apple TV / Vision Pro > Topic Details
Date Posted: Jun 22 @ 4:27pm
Posts: 8
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