Steam Deck Native Controls
by ArcaneNibble
Steam Deck Native Controls lets Minecraft read the Steam Deck's own inputs directly, so the handheld can play without Steam Input translating them.
What it does
Installed on a Steam Deck, the mod opens the device's raw input stream and reads its reports alongside the game. Its inputs are injected into Minecraft by calling the existing keyboard and mouse handlers, so the game receives them as ordinary keyboard and mouse actions. Gyro and touch controls are handled this way, and no Steam configuration layer sits between the hardware and the game.
To get the mod's touchscreen controls working, Steam Input has to be configured with an empty configuration so that it does not conflict with the mod. Once those steps are done, the mod can use the touchscreen as intended. The mod is built for Forge on Minecraft 1.19.2 only, and it is released under the 0BSD License, which is not an open source license. Public source code is available.
Key features
Gyro flick stick camera
Gyroscope movement drives a flick stick, letting players turn the camera with quick wrist motions.
Twin-stick aiming
The left joystick moves while the right trackpad aims, a layout suited to combat and building.
Mouse control for menus
Trackpad input drives the mouse pointer inside inventories, menus and other GUIs.
On-screen keyboard
A keyboard appears on screen so text can be typed with the trackpads when no physical keyboard is present.
Compatibility
Latest build for each game version and loader.
Only full game releases are shown. This mod publishes no snapshot builds.
Use cases
Playing on the handheld
Players use the Steam Deck's controls without an external controller or keyboard.
Who it’s for: Players on Steam Deck who want the device's own gyro, joystick and trackpad inputs in a Forge game on Minecraft 1.19.2.
Questions
Does Steam Deck Native Controls need to be installed on a server?
Which Minecraft version does the mod support?
Why does Steam Input need an empty configuration?
What the author says
This mod gives Minecraft Java Edition native support for the Steam Deck's inputs, bypassing all of Steam Input. ## Features Gyro and flick stick camera controls as designed by Jibb Smart Twin-stick aiming using left joystick and right trackpad Mouse controls for GUIs On-screen keyboard using trackpads You will also…
Official listing
- Modrinth page
- modrinth.com/mod/steam-deck-native-controls
- Owner
- ArcaneNibble
- Published
- 2023-04-17
- Updated on Modrinth
- 2023-04-17
- Facts verified
- 2026-10-15