Steam controller 2026 - Kubuntu and Android initial experience

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I was lucky enough to pick up the new controller in the first wave. Still TBD on if it was a wise idea or good value but I needed a controller so testing something new was probably enough to make it worth it for me. Anyways, here are my thoughts after checking it out for a couple hours now.

Physical:

The feel aligns with what reviews are saying. Feels decent but I would not recommend for smaller hands as the sticks might be a stretch to reach past the touch pads. It is definitely a step up compared with anything else I’ve tried, but I haven’t tried any other higher end controllers. Weight and distribution is good. Puck thing for charging is great. It snaps in place very nicely and might be my highlight so far.

Kubuntu/Steam (wired and wireless puck tested):

When you connect Steam detects the controller and gives you a popup to walk through. I haven’t made it through that as screen 2 is blank, but can be closed out and isn’t a problem. I’ve read that might be a firmware update or settings screen.

Touch pads technically work in Steam and games, but are functionally useless because the pointer image doesn’t actually move to show you where it is and is just an invisible guess. I’m guessing this is Wayland (linux thingy) not getting along with Steam as a security feature.

It worked as expected as a controller in Expedition 33, Windblown and Slay the spire 2.

The input mapping options within Steam are initially daunting but very comprehensive.

Android/Steam link:

As a bluetooth device I could only get it working as a mouse (“lizard mode”).

When plugged in with USB-C it worked as a mouse by default. When I opened steam link it asked for permission to use the controller over USB-C. After that it worked as a controller, but not a mouse anymore.

Input switching:

Not intuitive at all. It requires the controller be off. Most of the google results had the key combos to switch settings but didn’t include that bit or it was in a comment below. Valve’s own page is 5 paragraphs with that detail a bit buried.

The first time I was connected to bluetooth (android) and wanted to connect it back to my PC I wasn’t able to shut the controller off until I turned bluetooth off in android as a whole.

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Interesting thing, but I look forward to a month from now when a bunch of the issues are resolved.

Happy to answer any questions about it.

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I remember how joystick controllers were being displayed in store all of north america, and game titles almost anyone could try out, now you have to buy bubble wrapped and have no methods of self determined comparison in store. Bestbuy was good at 1 time. MicroCenter may be still the place to see multi setups all in locale.

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It’s funny to me that Valve’s excuse for no x-inpit is “it would be convoluted to switch between mouse/kb & x-input” when this is a thing

I’m extremely disappointed there’s no x-input. If I’m spending $100 on a controler it needs to be able to be my only controller, this will not do that.

Thank you for confirming this, I watched a reveiw of the controller & when they mentioned this issue, I had a hard time believing it & thought they must be missing something.

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The Kubuntu 26.04 update released so I did it and one major immediate improvement. I was immediately asked if Steam could control the the mouse/keyboard (exact wording ??). After that it actually moved the cursor and wasn’t an invisible secondary mouse.

Mouse control seems more accurate to me with the right stick compared with the right pad. Notable controls in this mode:

  • R2: Right click
  • L2: Left click
  • X: Open on screen keyboard (B to close)
  • A: Enter
  • Y: Space
  • L5: Start menu
  • R4/R5: Page up/Page down

Rest are ??. R1 might be Alt so maybe R2 is Control? Shocking hard to find any legit info here by google. “steam controller 2026 button layout” should just be an immediate answer.

I have also since found that holding the steam button to power it off and then tapping the Y button immediately turns it off. That makes input switching nicer (though still not intuitive).

Hold Steam => tap Y = Controller off. (But sometimes just doesn’t work and you have to hold for 10s)

While off:

  • hold Steam + R1 + A = Puck mode 1
  • hold Steam + R1 + B = Bluetooth mode
  • hold Steam + L1 + A = Puck mode 2 (if you have a 2nd one)

DB signal strength monitor wasn’t working but now is. I haven’t had a steam update since last checking this, but I’m also not sure I’d want to say the Kubuntu upgrade was what helped.