this post was submitted on 02 Jan 2026
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Anybody using Dualshock PS4 on any Linux desktop? (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 months ago by bigFab@lemmy.world to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
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Hi, earlier I was able to use the Dualshock controller on Ubuntu fully functionally, but since last upgrade right joystick moves 'an invisible cursor' only inside Steam.

Is anybody using the PS4 controller fully functionally in any Linux distro?

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[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

That behavior in Steam is normal. That's the steam-input library mapping your controller for use in Big Picture Mode before starting a game. That means your OS detects the controller.

Are you using this on USB or Bluetooth? Did you get the native joystick calibration?

[–] bigFab@lemmy.world 0 points 3 months ago (2 children)

It may be 'norman behaviour' now, but a couple of years ago it worked actually great. I was able to control the full desktop OS with right joystick + R2/L2 for mouse move + clicks respectively, all while Steam was minimized in the background.

I tried both via USB and bluetooth. About the native joystick calibration I don't know what that means.

Is anybody able to move the desktop cursor with the joystick outside Steam or games?

[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago

Well it's the default, so something broke on your end.

  1. It's not a detection problem with the controller because it works in Steam
  2. It's not a Steam problem because steam-input seems to work fine.

Joystick calibration: depended what desktop you're using. Just search up your DE and joystick calibration ". Might solve your issue.

[–] LiveLM@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Go to the Steam Settings, Controller Settings and check the Desktop layout, that's where you configure the behaviour you're describing.
It might have reset from the default Valve layout (joystick mouse move and clicks on triggers), but you can just apply the layout again. Happened to me sometime ago.