On-screen keyboard · swipe typing · macOS

Type on your Mac
with a controller.

Hold a trigger to pop up the on-screen keyboard, then swipe across the letters to type whole words—word prediction fills in the rest. No physical keyboard, no reaching for the desk.

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Free for 14 days. No account or credit card required.

macOS 14.6+ Xbox · PS5 · Steam · 8BitDo · 300+ pads Swipe or D-pad
KEYBOARDOVERLAY UP
  • Hold RTOpen keyboard
  • SwipeType a word
  • D-padMove key to key
  • A / ✕Select key
  • SnippetPaste canned text

Snippets expand variables like the date, time, and username.

SwipeSlide across letters for words
PredictSHARK2 shape-writing
SnippetsCanned text and media keys
The floating keyboard

A full keyboard, on screen, on your terms.

The keyboard is a floating overlay you summon with a button and dismiss when you are done. Type into whatever app has focus—chat, a search bar, an editor—without touching a physical keyboard.

  • Swipe across letters to type words with prediction
  • Or step key to key with the D-pad and press to select
  • Quick text snippets, terminal commands, app bar, and website links
ControllerKeys on-screen keyboard overlay for typing on a Mac with a controller
Three ways to enter text

Swipe, step, or snippet.

Pick whichever is fastest for the moment—shape-write a word, walk the keys precisely, or drop a whole block of canned text with one press.

01

Swipe typing

Slide the stick across the letters of a word and the SHARK2 engine—the same shape-writing used by phone keyboards—resolves it.

  • Slide Across letters
  • Predict Best-match word
  • Lift Commit
02

D-pad navigation

For precise entry, walk key to key with the D-pad; the focused key is highlighted so you always know where you are.

  • D-pad Move highlight
  • A / ✕ Select key
  • Arrows Cluster-aware
03

Snippets & media

Store canned text with variables, run terminal commands, launch apps, open links, and hit playback and volume keys.

  • Snippet Text + variables
  • App bar Quick launch
  • Media Play / volume
Set up in minutes

Bind a button, start typing.

  1. 1
    Install ControllerKeys

    Grant Accessibility access so the app can send keystrokes to any app.

  2. 2
    Pair your controller

    Connect any supported pad over Bluetooth or USB in System Settings.

  3. 3
    Bind the keyboard toggle

    Assign a button or trigger to open and close the on-screen keyboard.

  4. 4
    Add your snippets

    Save the text you type often, with variables, and set up your app bar and links.

Start the Free Trial See every ControllerKeys feature →
Quick answers

Before you type.

How do I open the keyboard?

Bind any button or trigger to toggle the floating on-screen keyboard, then dismiss it with the same button.

Does swipe typing predict words?

Yes. It uses the SHARK2 shape-writing algorithm—the same class of engine phone keyboards use—so a rough slide resolves to the right word.

Can I use the D-pad instead?

Yes. Walk key to key with the D-pad and press to select. The focused key is highlighted the whole time.

Where does the text go?

Into whatever app has focus—the keyboard sends real keystrokes system-wide, so it works everywhere.

More capabilities

Explore the rest of ControllerKeys.

Controller as a mouseStick-driven cursor and clicks. Touchpad trackpadPlayStation pad as a Mac trackpad. Gyro mouseMotion aiming with tremor smoothing. All featuresThe full ControllerKeys product page.
No keyboard on the couch? No problem

Type from the controller.

Free for 14 days. No account or credit card required. A lifetime license is $19.99 after the trial.

Download Free Trial Buy a License—$19.99