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ControlApp Overview

ControlApp is the companion application that ships with DsHidMini v3.9.0 and newer. The driver keeps working while ControlApp is closed. Use it to confirm a controller is seen, change HID modes and per-device settings, run first-run Bluetooth setup, and collect diagnostics.

On v3.9.0 or newer, open DsHidMini Control App from the Start Menu under Nefarius Software Solutions → DsHidMini. It needs the .NET Desktop Runtime 10 (x64) — any 10.0.x release is accepted. If you want a newer build than the one setup installed, download ControlApp.exe from the build server.

Administrator for changes

You can open ControlApp and look at devices without elevation. Changing HID mode, shared profiles, pairing, or BthPS3 settings needs Restart as Administrator. After a HID-mode change, reconnect the controller so the new mode becomes active.

First-run setup

Starting with v3.16.0, the first launch opens Let's connect your controller. This one-time wizard checks Bluetooth, BthPS3, and a USB-connected pad, then walks you through pairing so the controller can reconnect on its own.

Typical checks include:

  • Bluetooth is on
  • BthPS3 is installed and new enough
  • The BthPS3 filter is loaded
  • Required BthPS3 settings are correct (RAW PDO off, PSM patching on)
  • A pairing-eligible controller is connected over USB

If a required BthPS3 setting is wrong, Apply automatic fix can correct it when ControlApp is running as Administrator.

USB-only PCs

If this PC has no Bluetooth and you only use USB, choose Continue with USB only. That path is available from v3.19.0. Skip setup is also available, but you must confirm that getting wireless working afterwards is your responsibility and that support will be declined for a skipped setup.

You can leave first-run setup by exiting ControlApp; the wizard comes back on the next launch until it is finished or skipped.

Devices

The device list shows every DsHidMini controller that is currently connected. Select one to:

  • Change HID device mode
  • Adjust LEDs, rumble, stick deadzone, idle disconnect, and the wireless quick-disconnect combo
  • Pair or disconnect Bluetooth (hidden for adapters that have no radio)
  • Power off a wired controller
  • Watch live motion when the pad reports it
  • See the live input report rate on the device UI

ShanWan adapters can also show an output stall warning while no pad is linked on the PS1/PS2 side. That is expected and clears when a controller links. See PS1/PS2 USB adapters.

Input tester and rumble tester

These testers talk to the driver over IPC, so they work in any HID mode — you do not have to switch to XInput just to confirm buttons or motors.

  • Input tester — live buttons, sticks, and related inputs
  • Rumble tester — left and right motors without launching a game

Both need a published device slot and a driver that exposes IPC. If a button is disabled, the tooltip explains why.

Info tab

The Info tab shows identification and two independent authenticity approximations:

  • Bluetooth address / chip-vendor (OUI) check
  • Feature 0x01 identification pattern

Neither result is a genuine-or-fake verdict. Aftermarket pads can copy a Sony-looking address, and USB vendor/product IDs are almost always copied from Sony. ControlApp caches the published OUI list so the address check can still run if the download is temporarily unavailable.

Export diagnostics on the same tab is the preferred way to collect a support bundle. See Collecting diagnostics.

Bluetooth diagnostic

The same guided Bluetooth checks used at first run are also available later when a pad will not stay connected wirelessly. The wizard can create a diagnostic package if a step fails.

For wireless connection issues also read the BthPS3 FAQ.

Profiles and settings

  • Profiles — per-device overrides plus a global default used for new devices
  • Settings — tray behavior, Defender Bluetooth auto-switch, driver IPC, BthPS3 status/repair, and update checks

Application preferences live in %AppData%\ControlApp.json. Driver configuration lives under %ProgramData%\DsHidMini.

ControlApp will not start after editing settings

If %AppData%\ControlApp.json is empty or not valid JSON, ControlApp copies the broken file to a timestamped ControlApp.json.corrupt-... backup and continues with defaults. It should not crash on startup. You can delete the backup after you no longer need it.