How to Use Application
Initial Setup
Before starting, ensure you have successfully installed both the zController Desktop application on your PC and the zController Mobile app on your Android device. If you haven't, please refer to the setup guide on the Home page.
Launch both applications. You will be presented with two primary connection modes: WiFi Mode and Cable Mode.
WiFi Mode - Selection
Requirement: Connect your PC and your mobile device to the same WiFi network.
Select "WiFi Mode" on both devices. You will see a list of available controller types to emulate (Xbox, PS4, etc.).
Player Assignment
If you select a multiport controller type (DualShock 4, Xbox 360, Wii, or GameCube), you can assign a specific player slot. Select Player 1 through Player 4 to enable local multiplayer support.
establishing Connection
On the Mobile App, proceed to the connection screen. You will see prompts asking for the PC's IP Address.
On the Desktop App, click the "Connect" button (or "Start Server") to reveal your local IP address.
Enter this IP address into the mobile app and press the Continue button.
Successful Connection
Once connected, the Desktop app will indicate a device is connected, and your mobile screen will transform into the controller interface. You are now ready to play!
Cable Mode (USB)
For zero-latency gaming, use Cable Mode. First, you must enable USB Debugging on your Android device. Go to Settings > About Phone and tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
Then, go to Developer Options and toggle USB Debugging to ON.
Connect your phone via USB cable using Transferring files / Android Auto mode (if required) or standard data transfer. Select "Cable Mode" in both apps. The connection is automatic; you do not need to enter an IP address.
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
If you are unable to connect via WiFi, the most common culprit is the Windows Firewall blocking the connection. When you first launch the Desktop app, Windows should ask for permission to allow the app through the firewall. Ensure you check both Private and Public networks and click "Allow Access".
If entering the IP address manually doesn't work, try disabling your firewall temporarily to test the connection. Also, ensure your PC and phone are not on different subnets (e.g., one on a Guest network and one on the main network). For Cable Mode, if the device isn't recognized, try a different USB cable or port, as some cables are for charging only and do not support data transfer.
Performance Optimization Tips
To achieve the lowest possible latency and the smoothest gaming experience, we recommend using Cable Mode whenever possible. This eliminates wireless interference and provides a near-native controller response time.
If you prefer the freedom of wireless gaming, connect your PC via Ethernet cable to your router and connect your phone to a 5GHz WiFi band rather than 2.4GHz. The 5GHz band offers significantly higher speeds and less interference from other household devices. Close background applications on your phone that might be consuming network bandwidth or CPU resources to ensure zController gets priority.