RePad

Bluetooth controllers for the PS Vita and PS TV: a kernel plugin, written from scratch, MIT licensed.

Features

• Pairs controllers the Vita does not accept by itself and reads them:
  • DualShock 4 (both versions)
  • DualSense
  • Switch Pro Controller
  • controllers that pair as one of these, such as the iine L1194 in Switch Pro mode
• Works in every app and game: controller 1 is added to the Vita's own controls (port 0).
• Two players and more: apps that read ports 1-4 get each controller on its own port.
  • While an app does that, controller 1 is no longer added to port 0, so the Vita's own controls and a controller can be two players.
• Steady ports: controller slots stay put while another controller disconnects. A controller that connects again gets its port back.
• Safe on the PS TV: the DualShock 3 / 4 controllers the system serves itself are left alone. RePad's controllers take only the ports the system leaves free.
• Safe on an unknown firmware: RePad checks every function it hooks before it hooks any. If a check fails, it does not start at all and the controls stay as the system has them.
• For app authors (see src/repad.h):
  • the controller's real kind, found in the port info;
  • a command that tells RePad to stand aside or serve again, without a restart.

Install

Firmware 3.60-3.74 with HENkaku / Ensō and taiHEN.

1. Copy repad.skprx (from Releases) to ur0:tai/.
2. Add this line under *KERNEL in ur0:tai/config.txt:

   *KERNEL
   ur0:tai/repad.skprx
   

3. Reboot.

The Re series emulators (ReSys12, ReST-V, ReiREM) bundle RePad. Set Settings > Controls > Input engine to RePad: no install is needed.

Do not install RePad together with another Bluetooth controller plugin (VitaControl, ds4vita, ...). If VitaControl is loaded, RePad does not start.

Use

PS Vita 1000 / 2000 (handheld)

1. Put the controller in pairing mode:
   • DualShock 4: hold Share + PS until the light bar flashes.
   • DualSense: hold Create + PS until the light flashes.
   • Switch Pro: hold the sync button on top.
2. On the Vita: Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices, and select the controller.
3. Later on, press the controller's PS / HOME button to connect it again.

How apps see the controllers:

• Single-player games: the controller and the Vita's own buttons both work.
• Multi-player apps (those that read ports 1-4): the Vita is 1P and the controller is 2P. Two controllers can be 1P and 2P.

The 1000 and the 2000 work the same.

PS TV

• The PS TV pairs DualShock 3 / 4 by itself. RePad leaves those to the system.
• RePad adds the controllers the PS TV does not accept, such as the DualSense and the Switch Pro. Pair them in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices as above.
• The system's controllers keep ports 1, 2, ...; RePad's controllers take the next free ports.
• Not yet tested on a PS TV: reports are welcome.

Button layout

• Sony controllers: as on the Vita. L1 / L2 = L, R1 / R2 = R.
• Switch Pro, by position: A = Circle, B = Cross, X = Triangle, Y = Square, L / ZL = L, R / ZR = R, - = Select, + = Start, HOME = PS.

Known limits

• A controller that connected before RePad started (when an app loads it) has to connect again.
• Not working:
  • DataFrog S80: it does not connect.
  • Xbox controllers: no driver yet.
  • DualShock 3 on a handheld Vita: no driver yet.

Build

Needs VitaSDK.

bash build.sh        # build/repad.skprx

License

MIT, see LICENSE.