Discover what makes zController the ultimate smartphone-to-controller solution
zController is more than just a controller app - it's a comprehensive PC control solution that transforms your smartphone into a versatile input device. With 7 controller types, advanced motion controls, flexible connectivity options, extensive customization, and unique features like screen sharing, zController delivers professional-grade functionality at zero cost. Explore the detailed features below to discover how zController can enhance your gaming and PC control experience.
Gaming is always better with friends. zController solves the "not enough controllers" problem by adding robust local multiplayer support. You can now connect up to 4 different mobile devices to the same PC simultaneously running zController Desktop.
Each connected phone is recognized by Windows as a distinct player controller (Player 1, Player 2, etc.). This means you can fire up FIFA, Tekken, Overcooked, or Mario Kart (via emulator) and have a full 4-player party using nothing but the smartphones everyone already has in their pockets.
Supported multiplayer controller modes include:
We don't just simulate buttons; we leverage the high-tech sensors built into your smartphone. The zController app utilizes both the accelerometer and gyroscope to provide inputs that a standard cheap gamepad simply cannot offer.
New Feature - Tilt to Steer: In select controller modes (like Xbox 360 and DualShock 4), you can now toggle a special setting to map the mobile accelerometer to the Left or Right analog stick. This allows you to steer a car in a racing game simply by tilting your phone left or right, mimicking a real steering wheel. This feature transforms games like Forza Horizon and Need for Speed into immersive driving simulations.
Why clutter your home with plastic peripherals? zController is the Swiss Army Knife of gaming controllers. Depending on what you want to play, you can instantly switch between 7 distinct interfaces:
Every gamer's setup is different, so we designed zController to support the two most critical connection methods. Choose the one that fits your playstyle:
zController isn't 'one size fits all.' We give you the tools to tailor the experience to your preferences.
Customization in zController extends beyond simple button remapping. Each controller type offers unique customization options tailored to its specific use case. Analog sticks feature independent sensitivity and dead zone adjustments for each stick, allowing you to fine-tune precision for different game genres. Racing game enthusiasts can adjust steering sensitivity and dead zones to match their preferred driving feel. Fighting game players can customize button layouts and toggle modes to optimize combo execution. The extensive customization options ensure that zController adapts to your gaming style rather than forcing you to adapt to a fixed layout.
Additionally, zController includes accessibility features like adjustable button sizes, high-contrast color schemes, and customizable layouts that make gaming more accessible for users with different needs. These features ensure that zController is usable and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of physical limitations or preferences.
One of zController's most innovative features is real-time PC screen mirroring directly to your smartphone. This isn't just a gimmick - it's a game-changing feature that enables true couch gaming.
How It Works: zController Desktop captures your PC screen in real-time and streams it to your phone using efficient video compression algorithms. The implementation uses hardware-accelerated encoding when available, adaptive bitrate streaming based on connection quality, and intelligent frame skipping to maintain controller responsiveness even during intensive graphical scenes. The result is smooth, low-latency screen mirroring that doesn't interfere with controller input performance.
Use Cases: Screen sharing is perfect for couch gaming setups where your PC monitor may not be easily visible from your gaming position. You can monitor gameplay, watch cutscenes, manage inventory screens, or check HUD elements directly on your phone screen while maintaining comfortable controller operation. Beyond gaming, screen sharing enables remote PC monitoring - check download progress, manage file transfers, or control media playback from another room. The feature is also valuable for presentations, allowing you to see your presentation screen on your phone while controlling it remotely.
Performance: Screen sharing is optimized to minimize impact on both controller latency and PC performance. The streaming implementation uses efficient codecs and adaptive quality adjustment, ensuring smooth mirroring without compromising gaming performance. Battery usage is minimized through intelligent frame rate adjustment and quality scaling based on network conditions.
zController achieves 100% compatibility with virtually every Windows game and application through advanced kernel-level emulation technology.
ViGEmBus Integration: By utilizing the ViGEmBus driver, zController creates virtual controllers at the Windows kernel level. This means Windows and all applications recognize your phone as a genuine Xbox 360 or DualShock 4 controller - not a generic input device or emulated controller. This kernel-level integration ensures complete compatibility across the entire PC gaming ecosystem.
Game Launcher Support: zController works seamlessly with all major game launchers including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Xbox Game Pass, EA Play, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net, and Origin. The emulation occurs at the operating system level, so the source of your games is irrelevant - all games work identically regardless of which store they're from.
Emulator Compatibility: zController excels with console emulators, providing authentic controller experiences for Dolphin (GameCube/Wii), PCSX2 (PlayStation 2), Cemu (Wii U), RetroArch, PPSSPP (PSP), Citra (3DS), Yuzu/Ryujinx (Switch), and many others. The motion controls in Wii Remote mode provide authentic motion control that matches or exceeds original hardware.
Legacy Game Support: Even classic games from the 1990s and early 2000s that support DirectInput or XInput controllers work perfectly with zController. The kernel-level emulation ensures compatibility with games regardless of their age or original controller support implementation.
zController is engineered for performance, delivering professional-grade latency and responsiveness that rivals or exceeds dedicated gaming controllers.
Low Latency Architecture: Our custom communication protocols prioritize input data transmission, ensuring your actions translate instantly to on-screen gameplay. WiFi mode utilizes UDP (User Datagram Protocol) with packet prioritization, ensuring controller inputs take precedence over other network traffic. USB mode achieves sub-5ms latency by leveraging direct serial communication channels, bypassing network stack overhead entirely.
Efficient Resource Usage: zController is optimized to minimize resource consumption on both your PC and phone. The desktop application uses minimal CPU and RAM resources, allowing you to game at full performance. The mobile app is battery-efficient, with power-saving algorithms that extend battery life during extended gaming sessions. USB mode even enables simultaneous charging while gaming, eliminating battery concerns entirely.
Adaptive Quality Adjustment: zController automatically adjusts communication quality based on network conditions. On stable 5GHz WiFi connections, it maximizes performance. On congested 2.4GHz networks, it prioritizes reliability and low latency over maximum data rates. This adaptive approach ensures consistent performance regardless of network quality.
Optimized for Competitive Gaming: USB mode provides latency performance suitable for competitive gaming, fighting games, rhythm games, and other genres where precise timing is critical. The direct USB connection eliminates wireless interference and network congestion variables, providing consistent, predictable latency that rivals wired controllers.