How to Set Up Gamepad
From zero to playing wirelessly in under 30 seconds. Follow these six steps.
Download and Install the Windows Server App
Go to the Download page and click "Download Windows EXE". Run the installer as Administrator — this is required the first time to set up the Windows Firewall rule that allows your phone to connect. The installer also checks for and installs the ViGEmBus driver automatically if not present.
If Windows Defender SmartScreen shows a warning, click "More info" then "Run anyway". This is normal for new, unsigned software.
Run Gamepad Server — It Starts Automatically
After installation, Gamepad Server launches automatically and sits in your system tray (bottom-right, near the clock). A small window appears showing your PC's local IP address and a large QR code. Leave this window open while playing.
Gamepad Server can be set to start with Windows so it's always ready when you boot your PC.
Install the Android APK on Your Phone
On your Android phone, download the APK from the Download page (or scan the QR code on the download page directly). Open the downloaded file in your file manager. If prompted, enable "Install Unknown Apps" for your browser or file manager in Settings → Security → Install Unknown Apps.
This permission is only needed to install apps outside the Play Store. You can revoke it after installation.
Open the App and Connect
Open Gamepad on your phone. You'll see two connection options: "Scan QR Code" (recommended) or "Enter IP Manually". Tap "Scan QR Code" and point your camera at the QR code shown on your PC screen. The app will automatically detect the IP and port.
If QR scanning doesn't work, tap "Enter IP Manually" and type the IP address shown in the Gamepad Server window (e.g., 192.168.1.100:7890).
Tap Connect — Green Dot Means You're Live
After scanning, tap the "Connect" button. Within a second, you'll see a green dot in the app and the Gamepad Server window will show "Controller connected." Your phone is now a recognized Xbox 360 controller in Windows.
You can verify the controller is working by pressing Win+R, typing joy.cpl, and pressing Enter. Your Gamepad should appear as a controller device.
Open Any Game — Your Phone Is the Controller
Launch any game on your PC that supports Xbox controllers. The game will recognize the virtual Xbox 360 controller automatically — no in-game configuration needed. Use the layout preset selector in the Gamepad app to switch between Standard, FPS, and Racing layouts.
For Steam games, make sure Steam Input is not overriding your controller type. If the game is showing the wrong button prompts, disable Steam Input for that game in Steam → Properties → Controller.
System Requirements
| Component | Android (Controller) | Windows (Server) |
|---|---|---|
| OS Version | Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher | Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) |
| Network | Same WiFi network as PC | Same WiFi or Ethernet network |
| RAM | 2GB minimum | 4GB minimum recommended |
| Storage | 20MB free | 50MB free |
| Special | Gyroscope sensor (optional) | ViGEmBus driver (auto-installed) |
| Architecture | ARMv7 / ARM64 | 64-bit (x86_64) only |
Common Issues & Fixes
Something not working? Check these common causes first.
Can't connect — Connection refused / timed out
- Verify both phone and PC are on the same WiFi network (same router).
- Check Windows Firewall: search "Windows Defender Firewall" → Allow an app → find Gamepad Server and ensure both Private and Public are checked.
- Try entering the IP manually if QR scan fails. The IP is shown in the Gamepad Server window.
- Disable VPN software on your PC — VPNs can block local network traffic.
- If using a WiFi extender/mesh, both devices should be on the same band and SSID.
ViGEmBus not found / controller not detected by Windows
- Download and install ViGEmBus manually from https://github.com/nefarius/ViGEmBus/releases (get the latest release .exe).
- After installing ViGEmBus, restart your PC before launching Gamepad Server again.
- Open Device Manager and check under "Human Interface Devices" — ViGEmBus should appear.
- Run Gamepad Server as Administrator if ViGEmBus is installed but not detected.
High input lag / noticeable delay
- Switch to 5GHz WiFi band — 2.4GHz is more congested and adds latency.
- Move phone and PC closer to the WiFi router.
- Close background apps on your phone that may be consuming CPU.
- If possible, connect your PC to the router via Ethernet for the lowest server-side latency.
- Reduce screen resolution/quality on the Gamepad app if your phone is older.
Controller detected but not working in game
- Open joy.cpl (Win+R → type joy.cpl → Enter) to verify Windows sees the controller. Test axes and buttons.
- In Steam: go to Steam → Settings → Controller and ensure "Xbox Configuration Support" is enabled.
- Some games require you to press a button on the controller while the game is focused to activate it.
- Try running the game as Administrator if it doesn't detect the controller.