When it comes to VR, most people think of the VR headset and how to connect it.
However, it’s the VR controllers that often have the most issues when it comes to connecting and pairing.
That’s why in this post, we’ll take a look at how to connect the VR controllers for some of the most popular VR solutions out there.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will discuss:
- How to connect VR controllers for the Oculus Quest 2?
- How to connect VR controllers for the HTC Vive Pro 2?
- How to connect VR controllers for the Valve Index?
- How to connect the PS Move controllers for the PS VR Headset?
- Some frequently asked questions (FAQs)
So without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Connect VR controllers for the Oculus Quest 2?
Firstly, we’ll talk about the most popular VR headset in the market currently: the Oculus or Meta Quest 2.
The Touch controllers for the Oculus Quest 2 are actually super easy to pair as you’ll see in our step-by-step guide.
To pair the Touch controllers to the Oculus Quest 2, follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the Meta Quest app on your smartphone.
Step 2: In the top-left corner of the phone app, tap on the image of your VR headset.
Step 3: Select Devices in the bottom-right hand corner of the app.
Step 4: Select Controllers.
Step 5: Select either Left or Right, depending on which side controller you want to pair currently.
Step 6: If you’re pairing the Right controller, then press and hold the Oculus and the B buttons.
If you’re pairing the Left controller, then press and hold the Menu and the Y buttons.
Do this until the LED on the controller blinks and then lights up fully to indicate that the controller has been successfully connected.
How to Connect VR controllers for the HTC Vive Pro 2?
To connect the VIVE controllers, it’s important to note that you must have SteamVR installed on your PC beforehand.
If you don’t have SteamVR, you can easily download and install it for free through the Steam Store.
Once you have it installed, go ahead and run it from your Steam Library.
Next, follow these steps to pair your VIVE controllers:
Step 1: Turn on your controller by pressing the System button for a brief time.
Step 2: Run the SteamVR app through your Steam Library.
Step 3: Click the Menu button (it looks like three horizontal lines) within Steam VR.
Step 4: Click on Devices.
Step 5: Click on Pair controller.
Step 6: Follow the instructions on screen to fully pair your VIVE controller for use with your PC.
How to Connect VR controllers for the Valve Index?
Since the Valve Index also utilizes SteamVR tracking, it’s important to note that you also need SteamVR installed on your PC before you can pair the controllers.
We’ve described how you can download and install SteamVR above. Hence, go do that if you don’t already have it installed.
Follow these steps to pair your Valve Index controllers to your PC:
Step 1: Turn on your “Knuckle” controller.
Step 2: Run the SteamVR app through your Steam Library.
Step 3: In the system tray on the bottom-right hand side of your desktop, look for SteamVR and right-click it.
Step 4: Hover your mouse over Devices.
Step 5: Click on Pair controller.
Step 6: The window will ask you if you’d like to pair a VIVE controller or something else. Go ahead and choose “something else”.
Step 7: From the list, click on the “Index controller” and you’ll be provided with two buttons that you need to press on your Index controller.
Step 8: Click the mentioned buttons on your Index controller and its LED will flash before turning solid. This indicates that the Index controller has been successfully paired with your PC.
How to Connect the PS Move Controllers for the PS VR Headset?
Luckily, it’s super easy to connect the PS Move controllers to your PS4.
Follow these steps to pair them:
Step 1: Power up your PS4 console and set up your Playstation Camera.
Important note: If you have a PS5, then you’ll have to buy an adapter that lets you connect the Playstation Camera to it.
Please note that you should not buy the new HD camera for Playstation as that is only for streaming. It does not work with the PS VR Headset or the PS Move controllers.
Hence, the only way currently is to buy an adapter and buy the Playstation Camera for the PS4 to make it work with the PS5 console.
Step 2: Find the USB cables that you got with the PS Move controllers. Use the USB cables to connect the two PS Move controllers to the Playstation console.
Step 3: Press the PS button in the middle of the two PS Move controllers. They will blink and then light up solid. This indicates that they have been successfully connected to your Playstation console.
Quick note: If you have an older Playstation Camera for the PS3 lying around, do not try to use it with your PS4 or PS5 console. It will not work.
The PS Move controllers are quite resilient and can usually work accurately in a variety of conditions.
However, as a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to not play them in an area that has a lot of direct sunlight or glare. Furthermore, it’s also good if you can limit the amount of backlighting that’s coming from behind you while you use them.
All of this will result in optimal conditions for their use and you won’t run into any technical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Accurate are VR Controllers?
While VR controllers used to be a joke some years ago, recent advances have made them highly accurate when it comes to correctly translate your movements into in-game actions.
You can check out this study of the Oculus Touch controller’s accuracy to see how far the technology has really come.
How are VR Controllers Tracked?
VR controllers have what are called “inside-out tracking systems”.
The controller has a set of infrared LEDs on its rings. The cameras present on your VR headset take note of these LEDs and continuously take images of them. The change in these images is what’s used to determine their position and movement.
How Many Buttons do VR Controllers Have?
This varies depending on which brand you use and what type of controller it is. Every brand has their own take on it so the exact number can vary.
However, most of them usually have 3 – 4 buttons, a joystick of some sort, and sometimes, a touchpad.
Can I Pair Different Controllers with Different VR Headsets?
Yes, sometimes you can do this with certain combinations as some VR headsets are compatible with other VR controllers.
Other times, you may have to employ some third-party software and some technical prowess to get them to work.
Others might just not work straight up.
What Types of Sensors Does VR Use?
A typical VR system utilizes what is called an inertial measurement unit (IMU). This usually includes an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope.
Conclusion
That’s how you pair all of the mainstream VR controllers to either their headsets or some other external system for use.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you’re still having trouble pairing your VR controller, let us know the issue in the comments section below. We’ll try to help you out as best as we can.
