Overview
A wireless mobile controller that opens to hold the phone between its grips and connects via Bluetooth, and also works with the Switch and PC. It has four input modes distinguished by the logo button indicator color, two batteries that charge from a single port, two programmable back buttons, and swappable magnetic face buttons. This manual explains phone installation, platform-specific connection, settings, calibration, and common troubleshooting.
Features
- Four Input Modes: Android mode in yellow, DS4 mode in blue, Switch mode in red, and Direct Touch mode in cyan.
- Bluetooth 5.3 Connection: Less than 0.013s latency with Switch, and less than 0.026s with Apple and Android devices.
- Hall Effect Sticks: Magnetic sensor sticks with anti-drift technology.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: Precise analog triggers with a hair-trigger mode activated from the controller.
- Two Programmable Back Buttons: R4 and L4 buttons have no default function and accept a single button or a combo of up to sixteen buttons.
- Four-level Turbo: Slow at 8Hz, medium at 12Hz, fast at 20Hz, and off.
- Dual Vibration: Asymmetrical vibration in both grips, adjustable in five levels.
- Two 1000mAh Batteries: A 500mAh battery on each side; charging varies depending on whether the controller is open or folded.
- Magnetic Face Buttons: The four face buttons, covers, and stick caps are removable for layout customization.
Device Layout and Button Names
| Position | Elements |
|---|---|
| Front Face | View button, Menu button, A B X Y buttons, Mode indicator, M button |
| Top Edge | LB and RB buttons, LT and RT triggers |
| Bottom Edge | Pairing button, Type-C port |
| Back Face | L4 and R4 back buttons |
Specifications
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Supported Platforms | Switch, iOS, Android, and PC |
| System Requirements | Android 8.0 or later, Switch, iOS 13 or later |
| Connection Method | Bluetooth 5.3 for mobile devices, wired or wireless receiver for PC |
| Phone Size | 120 to 215 mm in length; phone case can remain on in Bluetooth mode |
| Battery | 1000mAh total (500mAh on each side) |
| Latency | Less than 0.013s with Switch, less than 0.026s with iOS and Android |
| Companion Software | GameSir app on mobile |
Box Contents
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Controller | 1 pc |
| Short Stick Cap | 1 pc |
| Tall Stick Cap | 1 pc |
| Round Stick Cap | 1 pc |
| Type-C Cable | 1 pc (1m length) |
| User Manual | 1 copy |
| Thank You & After-sales Card | 1 card |
| GameSir Sticker | 1 sticker |
| Certificate of Conformity | 1 copy |
Requirements: Android 8.0 or later, Switch, or iOS 13 or later.
Connection and Play
Phone Installation, Power On and Off
- Open the controller by pulling its sides to turn it on automatically, then install the phone; the phone case can remain on in Bluetooth mode.
- Press and hold the Logo button for one second to turn on.
- Press and hold the Logo button for five seconds to turn off.
- The controller turns off automatically when folded, except in Direct Touch mode where it stays on.
- Supported phones are between 120 and 215 mm in length according to the official manual.
Input Modes and Combinations
While the controller is on, press the corresponding combination to switch to the desired mode.
| Mode | Logo Button Indicator Color | Connection Combo | Supported Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android Mode | Yellow | Pairing + A button | Android 8.0 or later |
| DS4 Mode | Blue | Pairing + B button | Android and iOS devices |
| Switch Mode | Red | Pairing + Y button | Switch and iOS devices |
| Direct Touch Mode | Cyan | Pairing + Menu button | Works with GameSir app |
After a successful connection to Apple devices in DS4 mode, the default color changes to light orange.
Connecting to Android Devices
- While the controller is off, press and hold Pairing + A to turn it on; the logo button indicator flashes yellow rapidly.
- Open the phone's Bluetooth menu, select "GameSir-G8+", and tap to connect.
- A solid yellow logo button indicator means the connection is successful.
- After initial connection, simply press the Logo button briefly to turn on and reconnect automatically.
Connecting to Apple Devices
- While the controller is off, press and hold Pairing + B to turn it on; the logo button indicator flashes blue rapidly.
- Open the phone's Bluetooth menu, select "DUOLSHOK 4 Wireless Controller" as written in the official manual, and tap to connect.
- A solid light orange logo button indicator means the connection is successful. You can change the indicator color in this mode via Device Settings > General > Game Controllers.
- Press and hold the M button to switch the indicator color to blue.
Connecting to Switch
- From the main menu on the Switch, go to the Controllers menu and select Change Grip/Order to enter the pairing screen.
- While the controller is off, press and hold Pairing + Y to turn it on; the logo button indicator flashes red rapidly.
- A solid red logo button indicator means the connection is successful.
- The official manual notes the controller name in the Bluetooth menu in this mode is "Pro Controller".
Direct Touch Play on Android
- While the controller is off, press and hold Pairing + Menu to turn it on; the logo button indicator flashes cyan rapidly.
- Open the phone's Bluetooth menu, select "GameSir-G8+_G", and tap to connect.
- A solid cyan logo button indicator means the connection is successful.
- Direct Touch simulates a virtual touch unit; controller commands are read as native screen touches. This does not work on Apple devices because the system blocks external customization features.
Wired Connection
- Use the provided Type-C cable to connect; it will be recognized automatically.
- Once connected, the controller automatically switches to the appropriate mode.
- Press and hold View + Menu to cycle through Xbox, Switch, and DS4 modes in order.
- When connecting to a Switch via cable, go to Settings > Controllers and Sensors and enable "Pro Controller Wired Communication".
Indicator States
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pairing state, rapid flash | Controller can only be paired via Bluetooth in this state |
| Connected state, solid indicator | Connected to device |
| Reconnecting state, slow flash | Only connects to the last paired device in the last used mode; hold Pairing for 2s to force into pairing state |
| Logo and Mode buttons flash white slowly | Back button programming mode, or stick/trigger calibration mode |
| Logo button remains solid white when trigger is pressed | Hair-trigger mode active |
| Logo button flashes red | Turbo feature active |
| Logo button flashes red and blue rapidly | Gyroscope calibration in progress |
| Logo button flashes green twice | Turbo successfully cleared from all buttons |
| Mode indicator "breathes" while charging | Indicates current battery level; turns off when fully charged |
Colors for input modes are listed in the input modes table.
Button Combinations
| Function | Combination |
|---|---|
| Swap face button layout (A/B and X/Y values) | M + A for 2 seconds (persists after restart) |
| Toggle hair-trigger mode | M + LT or RT for 2 seconds; indicator turns solid white when trigger pressed (persists after restart) |
| Adjust vibration intensity (5 levels) | M + D-pad Up/Down; Level 0: Off, 1: 25%, 2: 50%, 3: 75% (default), 4: 100% (persists after restart) |
| Adjust volume level | Logo button + D-pad Up/Down (not available in Direct Touch or DS4 modes) |
| Reset to factory settings | Logo button + Menu for 3 seconds; controller vibrates (settings must be reconfigured) |
| Turn off/dim indicator lights | M + Menu for 5 seconds |
| Enter/Cancel back button programming | M + L4 or R4 |
| Set Turbo | M + target button |
| Clear all Turbo buttons | M button (double press) |
| Enter stick/trigger calibration | View + Menu + Logo button for 2 seconds |
| Force pairing state | Hold Pairing for 2 seconds |
| Switch input mode (wired) | View + Menu |
Back Button Programming
L4 and R4 have no default values. Assignable buttons: A, B, X, Y, LB, RB, LT, RT, L3, R3, D-pad, -, and +. The M button enters programming mode.
- To program: Hold M + L4 or R4 until Mode and Logo indicators flash white slowly.
- Press the button(s) you want to map, then press L4 or R4. Returning to the current mode color indicates completion.
- Combos record the time interval between presses; supports up to sixteen buttons.
- To cancel: Hold M + L4 or R4 until indicator flashes white slowly, then press L4 or R4 again.
- If no button is pressed for 10 seconds, it exits programming mode without saving.
Turbo
- Programmable buttons: A, B, X, Y, LB, RB, LT, RT. Levels: 8Hz, 12Hz, 20Hz, and Off.
- To set: Hold M + target button; a flash indicates activation. Repeat to cycle levels.
- Clear all: Double press M button; flashing green twice indicates success.
Calibration
Stick and Trigger Calibration
- Connect to controller, then hold View + Menu + Logo button for 2s until indicators flash white slowly.
- Rotate sticks to maximum angle three times and let them return to center.
- Press triggers to max travel three times and let them return.
- Press A to finish and exit.
- Move sticks/triggers steadily to avoid data errors. Do not calibrate if working normally.
Gyroscope Calibration
- Place controller flat on a stable surface.
- Hold Pairing + M (official manual) or M + Screenshot button (manual website).
- Logo button flashes red and blue rapidly during calibration.
- Return to mode color indicates finish.
Reset
- Factory reset: Hold Logo + Menu for 3 seconds until it vibrates.
- Dim lights: Hold M + Menu for 5 seconds.
Companion Software and Firmware
- Visit the official GameSir website or scan the QR code to download the GameSir app.
- Update firmware, adjust zones, and remap buttons.
- To downgrade: In the app, select the controller, then Firmware Update > Other Versions.
- On Apple devices, the app is limited to firmware updates due to system restrictions.
Charging and Battery
- If open: only right battery charges.
- If folded: both batteries charge.
- Does not auto-off when folded during charging.
Swapping Face Buttons
- Magnetic attachment; pull buttons out using the groove on the side. Align the letter and press back in.
- Layouts: Xbox (Y top, X left, A bottom, B right) and Switch (X top, Y left, B bottom, A right). Default is Xbox.
FAQ
- Supported: Switch, Apple, Android (120-215mm), PC.
- Wired/Wireless: Bluetooth for mobile, wired/wireless receiver for PC.
- Case compatibility: Yes, in Bluetooth mode.
- Turbo issue: Double press M button to clear all.
- Drift/Trigger issue: Calibrate via View + Menu + Logo button combo.
- Wired Switch: Enable "Pro Controller Wired Communication" in Switch settings.
- Apple issues: Disable "AssistiveTouch" and "Shared Gestures" in iOS settings.