Overview
A multi-platform wireless controller with a symmetrical dual-stick design, working with Switch, PC, Android, and Apple devices, with three connection methods: Bluetooth, wireless receiver, and cable. It features Hall Effect sensing sticks, programmable macro buttons, customizable lighting, and a gyroscope.
Features
- Hall Effect Sensing Sticks: Combines the precision of traditional sticks with the low power consumption and durability of Hall Effect sticks.
- Three Connection Methods: Bluetooth, wireless receiver, or Type-C cable.
- Four Input Modes: DS4, XInput, NS, and HID modes, each with a different pattern on the channel indicator and a recommended platform.
- Programmable Macro Buttons: Each macro button accepts a single button or a combination of up to twelve buttons.
- Trigger Gear Switches: Toggle each trigger between clicky switch mode and analog mode, with a quick-trigger mode for shooting games.
- Back Button Lock: A lock switch for each back button to disable it and prevent accidental presses.
- Customizable Lighting: Six lighting effects with control over animation speed, brightness, hue, and saturation directly from the controller.
- Dual High-Precision Vibration Motors: Two motors that provide realistic and immersive haptic feedback.
Device Layout and Button Names
On the front face, there is the NFC contact point, View button, Menu button, Share button, D-pad, A B X Y buttons, and C1, C2, C3, and C4 buttons.
On the top edge, there is the RB button, LB button, RT trigger, LT trigger, Type-C port, and T1 and T2 buttons.
On the back face, there is the RT trigger gear switch, LT trigger gear switch, R4 back button, L4 back button, and an M back button. There is a charging base with a Type-C port, and the wireless receiver is included.
Specifications
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supported Platforms | Switch, Windows 10 systems, Android 8.0 or later, iOS 13 or later, and Steam platform |
| Connection Method | Bluetooth, wireless receiver, or Type-C cable |
| Companion Software | GameSir mobile app or GameSir Connect software |
Box Contents
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Controller | 1 piece |
| Type-C cable | 1 piece |
| Wireless receiver | 1 piece |
| Charging base | 1 optional piece |
| User manual | 1 copy |
| Thank you and after-sales service card | 1 card |
| GameSir sticker | 1 sticker |
| Certificate of Conformity | 1 copy |
Requirements: Switch, Windows 10, Android 8.0 or later, or iOS 13 or later.
Connection and Play
Power On and Off
To power off, press and hold the Logo button for five seconds.
Auto-off: Ten minutes without use when connected, one minute when pairing, and three minutes when reconnecting.
Input Modes and Channel Indicator
| Recommended Platform | Mode | Combination | Channel Indicator Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 or later, iOS 13 or later | DS4 Mode | B button + Logo button | Second, third, and fourth channels |
| Windows 10 or later, Android 8.0 or later | XInput Mode | X button + Logo button | First, second, fourth, and fifth channels |
| Switch | NS Mode | Y button + Logo button | Sequential horizontal flashing |
| Android 8.0 or later | HID Mode | A button + Logo button | First and fifth channels |
The Logo button combined with a face button determines the input mode.
Connecting to PC
- Wired Connection: Use the provided Type-C cable to connect the controller to the PC; the channel indicator remaining lit indicates a successful connection.
- Bluetooth Connection: Press and hold the B button + Logo button for two seconds until the second, third, and fourth channels flash, then release.
- Open the Bluetooth menu on the PC, search for the device named "Wireless Controller", and click to connect; the channel indicator remaining lit indicates a successful connection.
- Receiver Connection: Insert the receiver into the PC port; its indicator will start flashing.
- Press and hold the X button + Logo button for two seconds until the first, second, fourth, and fifth channels flash, then release and wait for the connection; success is indicated by the indicators on both the controller and the receiver remaining lit.
- If pairing fails, press and hold the Pair button on the controller for two seconds, along with the Pair button on the receiver to re-link.
Connecting to Switch
- From the main menu on the Switch, go to the "Controllers" menu then "Change Grip/Order", and wait on this screen.
- Press and hold the Y button + Logo button for two seconds until the channel indicator starts sequential horizontal flashing, then release and wait for the connection.
- The channel indicator remaining lit indicates a successful connection.
- If pairing fails, press and hold the Pair button for two seconds to return to pairing mode.
Connecting to Android Devices
- Press and hold the A button + Logo button for two seconds until the first and fifth channels flash, then release.
- Open the Bluetooth menu on the phone, search for the device named "GameSir-Tarantula Pro", and click to connect.
- The channel indicator remaining lit indicates a successful connection.
- If pairing fails, press and hold the Pair button for two seconds to return to pairing mode.
Connecting to Apple Devices
- Press and hold the B button + Logo button for two seconds until the second, third, and fourth channels flash, then release.
- Open the Bluetooth menu on the device, search for the device named "DUOLSHOK 4 Wireless Controller", and click to connect.
- The channel indicator remaining lit indicates a successful connection.
- The Logo indicator color can be changed from device settings via Settings > General > Game Controller.
Indicator States
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Slow flash (once per second) | Reconnecting mode, connecting to a previously paired device |
| Fast flash (four times per second) | Pairing mode, the only state in which devices can search for and pair with it |
| Solid light | Connection successful |
Button Combinations
| Function | Combination |
|---|---|
| Enable/Disable Quick Trigger Mode | M button + LT or RT trigger for two seconds |
| Decrease/Increase grip vibration intensity | M button + View or Menu button |
| Manual switch between XInput, NS, and DS4 modes and lock connection mode | View button + Menu button for two seconds |
| Enable/Disable zero dead zone mode for the corresponding stick | M button + press Left or Right stick for two seconds |
| Swap A/B and X/Y button values and layout | M button + face buttons for two seconds |
| Enable Turbo and cycle through its modes | M button + button to be Turbo-enabled |
| Cancel all Turbo | M button pressed twice consecutively |
| Enter Macro programming mode | M button + macro button to be programmed |
| Return to pairing mode | Pair button for two seconds |
| Select input mode | Logo button + one of the face buttons |
Notes on combinations as stated in the manual:
- After enabling Quick Trigger mode, the indicator flashes when the trigger is pressed, and the setting remains saved after reboot.
- There are five vibration levels: 1st is off, 2nd is 25%, 3rd is 50% (default), 4th is 75%, and 5th is 100%. The setting remains saved after reboot.
- Manual switching of input modes is supported in Receiver and Wired modes only. Upon subsequent connection using the same method, the mode remains as switched. To power off, press the Logo button for ten seconds; upon reboot, it returns to automatic platform detection.
- Zero dead zone setting and face button layout setting remain saved after reboot.
Programming Macro Buttons
Each macro button accepts a single button or a combination of up to twelve buttons.
The buttons whose functions can be copied are A, B, X, Y, LB, RB, LT, RT, LS, RS, View button, Menu button, D-pad, Left stick, and Right stick.
- To assign a function: Press and hold the M button + the macro button to be programmed until the Logo indicator flashes.
- Press the button or combination to be copied, then press the macro button again to save and exit.
- To cancel: Press and hold the M button + the macro button until the Logo indicator flashes, then press the macro button again to save and exit.
- If the setting duration exceeds ten seconds, the controller saves and exits automatically.
- The lock switches on the back of the controller disable the back buttons and prevent accidental presses.
Turbo Setup
Turbo has four modes: slow at 8Hz, medium at 12Hz, fast at 20Hz, and Off.
Buttons that accept Turbo are A, B, X, Y, LB, RB, LT, and RT.
- To enable: Press and hold the M button, then press the button to enable Turbo on; it starts in slow mode.
- Repeat the same process to cycle through modes: slow, medium, fast, then off.
- To cancel completely: Press the M button twice consecutively.
- When Turbo is enabled on a button, the Logo indicator flashes continuously.
Lighting Control
All lighting settings remain saved after reboot.
| Function | Combination |
|---|---|
| Cycle through six lighting effects: Monochrome, Breathing, Fantasy (default), Rainbow, Radar, and Off | M button + Left stick moved right or left |
| Decrease or increase animation speed in Breathing, Fantasy, and Rainbow modes (5 levels, 3rd is default) | M button + D-pad right or left |
| Increase or decrease lighting brightness (5 levels: 0, 25%, 50% (default), 75%, 100%) | M button + Left stick moved up or down |
| Adjust hue in Monochrome, Breathing, and Radar modes based on Right stick position | M button + rotate Right stick |
| Increase or decrease color saturation in Monochrome, Breathing, and Radar modes (5 levels: 0, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% (default)) | M button + D-pad up or down |
Calibration
Stick and Trigger Calibration
- Turn on the controller and set the trigger gear to analog mode.
- Press and hold the View button + Logo button + Menu button until the Logo indicator flashes slowly in white.
- Press the LT and RT triggers to their full extent three times each, and rotate both sticks at maximum angle in full circles three times each.
- Press the A button; the Logo indicator returning to the mode color indicates calibration is complete.
Gyroscope Calibration
- Place the controller horizontally on a flat surface.
- Press and hold the View button + A button + Logo button for three seconds; the Logo indicator flashes in red and blue alternately and rapidly.
- The Logo indicator returning to the mode color indicates calibration is complete.
Reset
- Use a thin tool (like a SIM card ejector pin) to press the Reset button inside the circular hole on the back of the controller if abnormal behavior occurs or if the controller fails to turn on or off.
- This action forces the controller to power off.
Companion Software and Firmware Update
- Visit the official website, Microsoft Store, or scan the QR code in the manual to download the GameSir app for mobile.
- Use the GameSir app or GameSir Connect software to update firmware, adjust stick and trigger ranges, customize lighting, vibration intensity, and remap or test buttons.
- Connect the controller to the software via the receiver or cable while in XInput mode, as the software does not recognize it in DS4 or NS mode via Bluetooth.
- The official FAQ page mentions that early firmware versions have bugs, so it is recommended to update the firmware for both the controller and the receiver.
Charging and Battery
| State | Description |
|---|---|
| Charging indicator while off | Red (0-25%), Orange (25-50%), Yellow (50-75%), Green (75-90%), then solid green for two seconds and turns off (90-100%) |
| Low battery alert | When battery drops below 10%, the top indicator flashes red twice every ten seconds |
| Charging on base | Turn on the base then place the controller on it; the base indicator syncs with the controller's charging indicator |
FAQ
D-pad registers two presses, stick is inverted, or receiver is not recognized
Early firmware versions have bugs in both the controller and the receiver. Update the firmware for both according to the update explanation on the official support page.
Which software do I use, and why does GameSir Nexus not recognize the controller?
Use the GameSir Connect software and connect the controller via the receiver or cable in XInput mode. The software does not recognize it in DS4 or NS mode via Bluetooth.
The stick moves on its own when I set the dead zone to zero
Zero is physically an ideal dead zone, making the stick highly sensitive. Set the value between three and five to return behavior to normal.
I cannot connect via Bluetooth or receiver and the indicator is flashing slowly
Press and hold the Pair button for two seconds to return to pairing mode; the flash will become rapid. If using the receiver, press the Pair button on it until it flashes rapidly to complete re-linking.
Stick drifts or trigger does not respond correctly
Perform stick and trigger calibration as shown in the Calibration section, and refer to the calibration video posted on the official support page.
How many programmable buttons are there?
The official FAQ page states there are nine buttons: R4, L4, C1, C2, C3, C4, T1, T2, and T3; each accepts a single button or a combination of up to twelve buttons.
What is the benefit of the lock switches on the back?
The lock switches enable or disable the back buttons depending on your playstyle, to prevent accidental presses.
Can the face button layout be changed?
Yes, the default layout is Xbox layout, and it can be swapped by holding the M button + face buttons for two seconds to swap A/B and X/Y values.
Can lighting be customized directly from the controller?
Yes, using the M button + Right stick, Left stick, or D-pad, you can adjust lighting effect, animation speed, brightness, hue, and saturation.
Does the controller have a Turbo feature?
Yes, with four modes: slow (8Hz), medium (12Hz), fast (20Hz), and Off, which are canceled by pressing the M button twice consecutively.
The controller does not respond and will not turn off
Press the Reset button inside the circular hole on the back of the controller using a thin tool (like a SIM card ejector pin) to force it to power off.
Documentation Notes
- The requirements line on the printed manual sheet mentions Switch, Windows, Android, and iOS, while the official FAQ page adds the Steam platform.
- Weight is not mentioned in the source, so it is not listed here.
- The official FAQ page states there are nine programmable buttons (R4, L4, C1, C2, C3, C4, T1, T2, T3), while the official manual diagram shows back buttons R4 and L4, buttons C1 through C4, and buttons T1 and T2.
- The device name in the Apple Bluetooth list is written in the official manual as "DUOLSHOK 4 Wireless Controller", which is transcribed as it appeared in the source.