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The nintendo switch pro controller is nice for this - plug it in via USB and it automatically pairs to the console you plugged it into.


Sony supports pairing Bluetooth devices via USB since PS3 and Apple supports this since wireless peripherals with Lightning port.

However the protocols to do that are all proprietary and mutually incompatible. At least the PS3 protocol has been sufficiently reverse engineered so you can plug a DualShock 3 controller into a Steam Deck and have it just work wirelessly afterwards.


Apple keyboard, mouse, and trackpad work like this too. I’m not sure how you are meant to pair them on non Apple hardware though.


They enter pairing mode after being turned on


And you can repair an already-paired device by either holding down the power button for a few seconds or flipping the power switch on and off a few times, depending on the model.

My biggest annoyance with Apple devices is in software, that AFAIK there's no way to prevent macOS from pairing to any Apple Bluetooth device connected via USB, even if it's already paired with another device and you only intend to use it via USB.


I think the Joycons do this too. Snap them in once, then they'll work wirelessly after that.




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