Use a PS4 or Xbox controller with your Mac for Fortnite and Apple Arcade

You can easily connect PS4 and Xbox One wireless controllers to your Mac to play Fortnite and Apple Arcade games.

Charlie Wagner/CNET

While the Mac has never really been known as a gaming computer, that didn't stop people from clicking their arrow keys and spacebar while they played games like Minecraft and Fortnite. And with Apple Arcade, Apple is giving you a very big reason to think again about playing games on a Mac. Launched in October, the $5-a-month Apple Arcade subscription service offers unlimited access to a catalog of a 100-plus games that you can play on a Mac, iPhone, iPad or AppleTV.

If you're not into the Mac keyboard and mouse controls for your games, you can use an Xbox or PS4 controllers instead. Connecting them to your MacBook Pro, iMac or MacBook Air couldn't be easier. You don't need to download drivers or use a dongle. For example, I hooked up to my Mac up with the Sony Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller and also the Xbox One controller that came with the Xbox One S and Xbox One X. Here's how to do it.

Connect a wireless PS4 controller with a Mac

1. Press and hold the PlayStation button and Share button to put the controller into pairing mode.2. On your Mac, go to Bluetooth settings either from the Bluetooth dropdown in the Menu Bar or from System Preferences.3. In the device list for Bluetooth settings, look for "wireless controller" to pop up.4. Click the Connect button.

Pair an Xbox One wireless controller with your Mac

1. Turn the Xbox controller on.2. Press and hold the Pairing button on the top edge of the controller until the Xbox logo blinks rapidly.3. Go to Bluetooth settings on your Mac and look for "Xbox wireless controller" to appear in the device list.4. Click the Connect button.

Troubleshooting when your controller won't connect

If you're having trouble connecting to your computer, make sure that your controller is away from your PlayStation or Xbox One console, respectively. Also make sure the battery is fully charged. Once you're set up, it's time to exp lore all the game options that are included with Apple Arcade.

Now playing: Watch this: Apple Arcade exclusive preview: Shinsekai Into the Depths

3:38

Tweet