Big Walk Controller Not Working on Mac: Xbox Fix

If an Xbox wireless controller works in Steam but not in Big Walk on Mac, connect it through Bluetooth instead of a direct USB-C cable, enable Steam Input with the default Big Walk controller profile, and give Steam both Accessibility and Input Monitoring permission in macOS. The official Big Walk FAQ lists these steps for reported Xbox controller problems on Mac.

Restart Steam and Big Walk after changing permissions. If the controller still fails, disconnect other controllers and input peripherals before testing again. Last checked: August 9, 2026.

Quick Mac controller checklist

Connect the controller through Bluetooth and confirm that macOS shows it as connected. Open Big Walk's Steam controller settings, enable Steam Input, and select the default controller profile. Then open macOS System Settings > Privacy & Security and allow Steam under both Accessibility and Input Monitoring.

Close Steam completely and reopen it so the new permissions apply. Launch Big Walk with only the intended controller connected. Test movement and buttons in the menu before loading a multiplayer world.

If these steps work, reconnect other peripherals one at a time. This helps identify a conflict without changing unrelated drivers or deleting controller profiles.

Use Bluetooth instead of USB-C on Mac

The official FAQ specifically notes reports of Xbox wireless controllers not working well when Big Walk is played through Steam on Mac. Its first platform-specific step is to use Bluetooth rather than a direct USB-C connection.

Remove an old pairing only if the normal reconnection fails. Put the controller into pairing mode, open the Mac's Bluetooth settings, and connect it again. Confirm that the controller remains connected before opening Steam.

A cable may still provide power while the game fails to receive the intended controller input. That is why checking the connection method matters even when the controller lights up.

Increase Xbox controller compatibility

After the controller connects through Bluetooth, open System Settings > Game Controllers > Xbox Wireless Controller. Create a profile for the Steam app and turn on Increase compatibility, following the current official Big Walk instructions.

Apply the profile to Steam rather than assuming one global controller profile will reach every game. Menu wording can change with macOS updates, so use the nearest current labels if the path looks slightly different.

Do not install an unofficial controller driver before trying the built-in compatibility option. Additional drivers can create another input layer and make it harder to identify which system is receiving the buttons.

Give Steam the required macOS permissions

Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and add or enable Steam. Then open Input Monitoring in the same Privacy & Security area and add or enable Steam there as well.

macOS may require you to authenticate before changing these permissions. Close and reopen Steam afterward. If Steam was already enabled, turn nothing off unless the current system instructions require a refresh; first test after a full Steam restart.

Grant these permissions only to the genuine Steam app installed from Valve. Do not approve an unknown helper app claiming to be a Big Walk controller fix.

Enable Steam Input for Big Walk

Open Big Walk in the Steam library and enter its controller settings. Enable Steam Input and use the default controller profile. This lets Steam translate the controller input into the form expected by the game.

A player report describes Steam Input restoring controller support when the controller worked in Steam but not inside Big Walk. The same discussion mentions a community layout, but the official FAQ recommends the default controller profile, so start there.

If a community layout is used later, treat it as an optional player workaround rather than an official requirement. Save the current mapping first so it can be restored easily.

Disconnect conflicting peripherals

The official general controller guidance says to disconnect other peripherals that may conflict. Unplug or disconnect extra gamepads, racing wheels, virtual controllers, and similar input devices, then restart Big Walk with only one controller active.

Test the controller with a normal controller-checking tool before blaming Big Walk. If macOS and Steam both receive no input, fix the pairing or hardware problem first. If both receive input but Big Walk does not, continue with Steam Input and permissions.

Reconnect each extra device one at a time after the controller works. If the problem returns immediately after one device is added, record that combination for a support report.

If the controller still does not work

Record the Mac model, macOS version, Steam version, controller model, Bluetooth versus cable result, and whether Steam's controller test receives input. Also record whether Accessibility, Input Monitoring, Increase Compatibility, and Steam Input are enabled.

Try the same controller in another Steam game. If only Big Walk fails after the official steps, send the details to the support address listed in the official FAQ. Avoid claiming that one community layout is a guaranteed solution for every Xbox, Stadia, PlayStation, or third-party controller.

Big Walk supports mouse and keyboard on computers, so those controls can be used temporarily while the controller issue is reported. That does not mean the unsupported controller behavior is intended.

Big Walk Mac controller FAQ

Why does my controller work in Steam but not Big Walk?

Steam may see the hardware while Big Walk does not receive the translated input. Enable Steam Input with the default Big Walk controller profile and allow Steam under macOS Accessibility and Input Monitoring.

Should I connect the Xbox controller with Bluetooth or USB-C?

For the reported Mac and Steam issue, the official Big Walk FAQ recommends Bluetooth rather than a direct USB-C connection.

What does Increase Compatibility do?

It is a macOS controller-profile option that the official FAQ asks Xbox wireless controller users to enable for the Steam app. Use it together with Bluetooth, Steam Input, and the required permissions.

Do I need a community controller layout?

Not as the first step. The official guidance recommends enabling Steam Input with the default controller profile. A community layout helped at least one player, but it is an optional community workaround.

Can I use mouse and keyboard instead?

Yes. The official FAQ says Big Walk supports both mouse and keyboard and game controllers on computers.

Sources

• Official Big Walk FAQ
• Reddit player report: controller recognized by Steam but not Big Walk

Big Walk Help is an unofficial fan help site and is not affiliated with House House or Panic.