3.1. Requirements

At the time of writing, mainstream Linux distributions do not explicitly support the SIXAXIS in wireless mode. Hence, the following customizations are required.

linux-2.6.21 or later . Earlier kernels do not support Bluetooth HID devices in "Report Protocol" mode.

patch-hidd-3.9-pabr3 or patch-hidd-3.19-pabr3 . This patch causes the Linux Bluetooth HIDP daemon ( hidd ) to send a special command to the SIXAXIS when it connects. Sony already published a similar patch for enabling reporting in USB mode.

sixpair.c. (Only required if the SIXAXIS is to be used with a non-PS3 Bluetooth master.) The SIXAXIS apparently does not support the standard Bluetooth pairing procedure; instead, pairing is done over USB, which is arguably simpler and more secure. This command-line utility searches USB buses for SIXAXIS controllers and tells them to connect to a new Bluetooth master.

Alternatively, it might be possible to support the Bluetooth HID "Report Protocol" on older kernels by using bthid instead of hidd, with a similar patch.

Besides, the new "input service" (bluetoothd-service-input), which replaces hidd in recent versions of bluez-utils , should support the SIXAXIS without any patch. However, since it does not accept connections from unknown Bluetooth devices, authorizations must be set-up by another utility, such as a udev plugin, as suggested in this discussion.

Note. Bluetooth experts use the word "controller" to refer to the Bluetooth network adapter inside the host or the PS3, whereas everybody else thinks "game controller" (a.k.a. joystick). This sometimes causes confusion.