PI5 - PS3 controller bluetooth pairing issues

domjlamb

Pi Model or other hardware: PI5 (aarch64)
Power Supply used: Official
RetroPie Version Used 4.8.6
Built From: Manual install on OS Lite 64bit, Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Linux retropi 6.6.20+rpt-rpi-2712 #1 SMP PREEMPT Debian 1:6.6.20-1+rpt1 (2024-03-07) aarch64
USB Devices connected: wireless keypad
Controller used: PS3 official controller bluetooth

Very new to this so forgive my basic knowledge! I have retropie running and a few ROMS running from following manual install guides which is great - didn't realize how much was still in development for the PI5 when I bought it!

Anyway problem I am having, after following every post and guide I can find, I can't get my PS3 controller to pair on BT and will only work wired. I have tried every combination possible driver / support turned on/off (one at a time). Results I get sixaxis driver - finds the device but after pairing, controller is just flashing when USB removed at end not connecting and the PS3 controller driver - never finds the device.

So I ran bluetoothctl in SHH in the background whilst pairing with sixaxis via the standard retropie instructions to see what was going on and it looks to be getting close but something is going wrong towards the end of the process;

Finds the controller MAC, connects, trusts it but when USB is removed (at the screen prompt to do so) it doesn't connect lights on controller just stay flashing, it times out then deletes it. Device doesn't stay in paired or connected list on retropie bluetooth screen.

I noticed the bluetoothctl was asking to authorise device during the pairing on retropie once prompt to remove USB came up, so I input yes. Which made some changes and made the device appear in the paired / connected list rather than just disappearing straight away now. But controller still flashing and not connected or recognized on input config page.

Now bluetoothctl is asking for a pin code this happens whenever I press the PS button on the controller to wake it, which when I enter one seems to make a connection but pairing lights never stop flashing and after a while it disconnects and just times out.

Feel I have got to the end of the road of what I can try myself now! Any suggestions greatly appreciated . . . . .

mitu

Probably because of a security fix which breaks pairing for PS3 controllers:

EDIT: try the workaround suggested in the Blueman issue, it should solve the pairing with a PS3 controller.

domjlamb

Awesome thank you for that, now connected via bluetooth :)

sudo nano /etc/bluetooth/input.conf
ClassicBondedOnly=false