Kodi 19 ‘Matrix’ was launched just a few days ago, and among one of its many new features is support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers, which would indicate that enough connect one of these controllers to the computer where you use Kodi to start controlling the media center.
We have done the tests with an Xbox One controller and a PlayStation Dualshock 4 on Windows 10. While the Xbox controller experience basically requires two steps to set up, the Dualshock takes a bit more work. In any case, we explain how to achieve it.
Use an Xbox controller on Kodi
Bluetooth connect button on an Xbox One controller
–
–
–
This is also true for an old Xbox 360 controller, and for a new Xbox Series X / S controller. Whether you connect via cable or via Bluetooth, Kodi will recognize your controller automatically. The Xbox controller is great with Windows 10, so after connecting it is configured automatically in a few seconds.
–
–
–
–
If you want it connect via bluetooth you just have to press for a few seconds the small button on the front of the remote (next to the USB port) that has three bars. Once the Xbox button light starts blinking, you can go to the Windows 10 Bluetooth options and add a new device:
–
–
The next thing is to open Kodi and you will immediately notice that you can control it using the Xbox controller. If you want to configure your controller and map the buttons to your liking, you can do it too, and it is necessary in the case of the PlayStation controller:
How to use a PS4 controller with Kodi
Connecting the PS4 controller to Windows 10, or even macOS, is pretty simple. The same as with the Xbox, whether by cable or Bluetooth, the system recognizes it immediately and configures it automatically. Unfortunately, when you open Kodi you will notice that it does not happen like with the Xbox and you cannot control the multimedia center immediately.
For this, it is necessary to calibrate the controller, and preferably by downloading a Dualshock profile for Kodi. It is not too complicated, but it does take some time. First open the Kodi Settings (nut button) and select System.
–
–
There select Entry and click on Configure connected controllers. Kodi knows that your PlayStation controller is connected, but it doesn’t recognize the input when you tap its buttons. So this is what you will see:
–
–
By default, Kodi configures the remote control profile as one from Xbox 360. The ideal here is to install a new profile, preferably one from Dualshock to calibrate the buttons without confusion. Click on the option on the right “Get more“and navigate through the command options until you find PlayStation DualShock.
Once installed it is time to calibrate it. To do this, just select the remote from the list of profiles installed on the right and click on the first button in the column of buttons.
–
–
Kodi will show you messages for you to press “circle”, “triangle”, “right”, “stick up”, etc. When you finish you will notice that you can now control the Kodi interface with your Dualshock. Tedious, but it works.
–
