Input Configuration

Configure gamepad emulation, keyboard, and mouse input settings

Input configuration controls how Sunshine handles controller, keyboard, and mouse input from Moonlight clients.

Controller Settings

controller · boolean · default: "enabled"

Whether to allow controller input from the client.

controller = enabled

gamepad · string · default: "auto"

The type of gamepad to emulate on the host.

Options:

• auto - Automatically select based on client capabilities
• x360 - Xbox 360 controller (Windows only)
• xone - Xbox One controller (FreeBSD/Linux only)
• ds4 - DualShock 4 controller / PS4 (Windows only)
• ds5 - DualSense controller / PS5 (FreeBSD/Linux only)
• switch - Switch Pro controller (FreeBSD/Linux only)

gamepad = auto

Auto Gamepad Selection

motion_as_ds4 · boolean · default: "enabled"

If client reports motion sensor support, emulate as DS4 controller.

Only applies when gamepad is set to auto

motion_as_ds4 = enabled

touchpad_as_ds4 · boolean · default: "enabled"

If client reports touchpad support, emulate as DS4 controller.

Only applies when gamepad is set to auto

touchpad_as_ds4 = enabled

DualShock 4 Settings

ds4_back_as_touchpad_click · boolean · default: "enabled"

Allow Select/Back button to trigger DS4 touchpad click. Useful for clients emulating touchpad clicks on XInput devices.

Only applies when gamepad is manually set to ds4

ds4_back_as_touchpad_click = enabled

DualSense Settings

ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac · boolean · default: "enabled"

Randomize the MAC address for virtual PS5 controllers.

Linux only, applies to PS5-style controllers

ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac = enabled

Controller Button Mapping

back_button_timeout · number · default: "-1"

Milliseconds to hold Back/Select button to emulate Home/Guide button press.

Set to -1 to disable Home/Guide emulation

back_button_timeout = 2000

Keyboard Settings

keyboard · boolean · default: "enabled"

Whether to allow keyboard input from the client.

keyboard = enabled

key_repeat_delay · number · default: "500"

Initial delay in milliseconds before repeating keys.

key_repeat_delay = 500

key_repeat_frequency · number · default: "24.9"

How often keys repeat per second (supports decimals).

key_repeat_frequency = 24.9

always_send_scancodes · boolean · default: "enabled"

Send scancodes for better game compatibility.

Windows only

Enable if: Keyboard input doesn’t work in certain applications

Disable if: Keys generate wrong input (non-US keyboard layouts)

always_send_scancodes = enabled

key_rightalt_to_key_win · boolean · default: "disabled"

Remap Right Alt key to Windows key. Useful when Moonlight cannot send the Windows key directly.

key_rightalt_to_key_win = enabled

Key Bindings

keybindings · array · default: "[0x10, 0xA0, 0x11, 0xA2, 0x12, 0xA4]"

Map virtual key codes for special key handling. Useful on Wayland where the Win key cannot be captured.

Not available in Web UI - must be configured in config file

Array must have an even number of elements (pairs of source and target key codes).

See Virtual Key Codes for reference.

keybindings = [
  0x10, 0xA0,  # Left Shift
  0x11, 0xA2,  # Left Control  
  0x12, 0xA4,  # Left Alt
  0x4A, 0x4B   # J -> K
]

Mouse Settings

mouse · boolean · default: "enabled"

Whether to allow mouse input from the client.

mouse = enabled

high_resolution_scrolling · boolean · default: "enabled"

Pass through high resolution scroll events from Moonlight.

Disable for older applications that scroll too fast with high resolution events.

high_resolution_scrolling = enabled

native_pen_touch · boolean · default: "enabled"

Pass through native pen/touch events from Moonlight.

Disable for older applications without native pen/touch support.

native_pen_touch = enabled

Example Configuration

Auto Controller Selection

# Controller
controller = enabled
gamepad = auto
motion_as_ds4 = enabled
touchpad_as_ds4 = enabled

# Keyboard
keyboard = enabled
key_repeat_delay = 500
key_repeat_frequency = 24.9

# Mouse
mouse = enabled
high_resolution_scrolling = enabled
native_pen_touch = enabled

Fixed Xbox 360 Controller (Windows)

# Force Xbox 360 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = x360

# Keyboard and mouse
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled
always_send_scancodes = enabled

DualShock 4 with Motion (Windows)

# Force DS4 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = ds4
ds4_back_as_touchpad_click = enabled
back_button_timeout = 2000

# Enable all input types
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled
high_resolution_scrolling = enabled
native_pen_touch = enabled

DualSense Controller (Linux)

# Force DS5 emulation
controller = enabled
gamepad = ds5
ds5_inputtino_randomize_mac = enabled

# Input settings
keyboard = enabled
mouse = enabled

Platform-Specific Notes

Windows

• Xbox 360 (x360) and DualShock 4 (ds4) emulation available
• always_send_scancodes improves game compatibility
• Use key_rightalt_to_key_win if Windows key doesn’t work

Linux

• Xbox One (xone), DualSense (ds5), and Switch Pro available
• Consider gamepad = auto for best client compatibility
• Use keybindings to work around Wayland Win key capture limitations

FreeBSD

• Same gamepad options as Linux
• Xbox One, DualSense, and Switch Pro controllers supported

macOS

• Limited gamepad emulation options
• All input types supported

Troubleshooting

Controller not detected in games

• Try setting gamepad to a specific controller type instead of auto
• For Windows games, try x360 (most compatible)
• Check if the game supports the emulated controller type

Wrong keyboard keys on client

• Disable always_send_scancodes if using non-US keyboard layout
• Check client keyboard layout matches host

Windows key doesn't work

• Enable key_rightalt_to_key_win to use Right Alt as Windows key
• On Wayland, configure keybindings to map Win key

Touchpad/motion doesn't work

• Ensure client reports touchpad/motion support
• Set gamepad = ds4 (Windows) or gamepad = ds5 (Linux)
• Verify touchpad_as_ds4 and motion_as_ds4 are enabled

Next Steps

Network Settings

Configure ports and network access

Applications

Add games and applications to stream