How To Connect Joy-Con To PC Or Mobile?

If you’re like me and love tinkering with tech, getting Joy-Cons to work on non-Switch platforms is a fun little project. On PC, aside from Bluetooth pairing, you can use tools like 'XOutput' to trick your system into thinking the Joy-Con is an Xbox controller, which most games support. For mobile, Android’s flexibility makes it the better choice—try 'Octopus' for key mapping in unsupported games. Just remember, the experience won’t be as seamless as using a proper controller, but it’s perfect for on-the-go gaming when you don’t want to carry extra gear.

Connecting a Joy-Con to a PC is easier than you might think, though it does require a bit of setup. First, make sure your PC has Bluetooth capability—most modern ones do, but if not, you can grab a cheap Bluetooth adapter. Turn on your Joy-Con by pressing the sync button (tiny black button near the rail) until the lights start flashing. Then, on your PC, go to Bluetooth settings and add a new device. Look for 'Joy-Con (L)' or 'Joy-Con (R)'—they might show up as separate entries. Once paired, you can use them, but for better functionality, I recommend software like 'BetterJoy' to map controls properly for games that don’t natively support them. Steam also has built-in support for Joy-Cons if you enable Nintendo Switch configuration in controller settings.

For mobile, the process is similar but varies by OS. On Android, enable Bluetooth, hold the sync button on the Joy-Con, and pair it like any other device. Some games work right away, but others might need apps like 'JoyCon Droid' for button mapping. iOS is trickier—Apple’s restrictions mean fewer apps support it, but some emulators or cloud gaming services might recognize it. One thing to note: Joy-Cons have terrible battery life when used separately, so keep a charger handy. Also, their tiny buttons aren’t ideal for all games, but they’re great for retro titles or casual play.