JoyKeyMapper
JoyKeyMapper is a free utility that lets you map game controller buttons and stick inputs to keyboard and mouse actions on macOS. It supports a wide variety of controllers—including Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers, Joy-Con pairs, and other standard gamepads—and lets you define different key-mapping profiles for different applications. The app sits in the menu bar and handles input translation in real time, making it useful for playing games that normally require a keyboard, enabling accessibility workflows, or using controllers with apps that don't natively support them.
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1 suggestionJoyKeyMapper was last updated around 2021 and has not received meaningful development since. The app's GitHub repository shows no recent activity, and user reports indicate it does not run well on Apple Silicon Macs—users report frequent crashes and the need to restart the app multiple times per day on M-series machines. There is no confirmed native build available. Since Apple is removing Rosetta 2 in macOS 28 (late 2027), this app will stop launching entirely on that release and you have about 18 months to find a replacement. The open-source alternative JoyMapperSilicon, mentioned in community recommendations, was created specifically to address the Apple Silicon compatibility issues JoyKeyMapper has. JoyMapperSilicon is actively maintained and runs natively on M-series Macs with good reliability—it offers similar controller-to-keyboard mapping features. You can find it on GitHub and build it yourself, or check if a pre-built release is available. If you prefer a more polished commercial option, Joydance is another maintained alternative worth evaluating.
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