About xpadneo
The Linux driver that makes Xbox wireless controllers work the way they should.
What is xpadneo?
xpadneo is an open-source DKMS kernel module that enables Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Elite Series 2 wireless controllers to connect over Bluetooth on Linux. It goes beyond basic button mapping to deliver full rumble support, trigger force feedback with pressure-dependent intensity, battery level reporting, and correct button mapping across games and applications.
Where the default Linux xpad driver falls short with Bluetooth connectivity and advanced features, xpadneo fills the gap. It supports features that are not even available on Windows, like per-trigger rumble with pressure sensitivity.
The Story Behind xpadneo
The Beginning
xpadneo started as a student project by Florian Dollinger (@atar-axis) at fortiss GmbH, a research institute affiliated with the Technical University of Munich. The original goal was straightforward: get Xbox One S wireless controllers working properly over Bluetooth on Linux.
Community Growth
As Linux gaming grew alongside SteamOS and Proton, xpadneo gained traction. Users discovered it solved Bluetooth connectivity issues that other drivers could not handle. The project attracted contributors, bug reports, and feature requests from the growing Linux gaming community.
New Maintainer
Kai Krakow (@kakra) took over primary maintenance of the project, bringing consistent updates and expanding controller support. Under his stewardship, xpadneo added support for Xbox Series X|S controllers, the Elite Series 2, and third-party controllers from 8BitDo, GuliKit, and GameSir.
Today
The latest release, v0.9.8 “LAST XMAS” (December 2024), represents over 881 commits of development. The project has earned around 2,600 GitHub stars and 132 forks. It is available through AUR, Fedora Copr, and openSUSE Build Service, and has become the recommended Xbox Bluetooth driver across Linux forums and Reddit.
What xpadneo Does
xpadneo is a kernel-level driver, not just a userspace remapper. It integrates directly with the Linux input subsystem to provide:
Classic BT and BLE support for both older Xbox One S and newer Series X|S controllers.
Both main rumble motors and trigger force feedback with pressure-dependent intensity — a feature that Windows itself does not expose.
Real-time battery level monitoring, including support for the Play and Charge Kit.
Disables deadzones for games running through Wine or Proton that handle their own dead zone correction.
Hardware profiles on Elite 2 controllers, emulated profiles on standard controllers.
Couch mode via Guide+Select lets you control your desktop with the controller.
Who Uses xpadneo
xpadneo serves Linux gamers who want to use Xbox controllers wirelessly without a USB dongle. It is popular among Arch, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Manjaro users who game through Steam, Lutris, or standalone native titles. The driver is also used by emulator enthusiasts and anyone who needs reliable controller input on Linux without depending on Steam Input or SDL2 remapping.
On Reddit and Linux forums, xpadneo is consistently recommended as the go-to solution for Xbox Bluetooth controller support. Users regularly praise the trigger rumble feature and the reliability of the Bluetooth connection compared to the default kernel driver.
The Developers
Florian Dollinger created xpadneo as part of his work at fortiss GmbH (Technical University of Munich). What started as a focused research project became a widely used open-source tool. Kai Krakow has maintained the project with dedication, responding to issues, adding controller support, and keeping the driver compatible with new kernel releases.
The project is licensed under GPL-3.0 and welcomes community contributions. Over 130 forks and numerous pull requests show that the community actively participates in improving the driver.
About This Website
This website is an independent, fan-made informational resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially associated with Florian Dollinger, Kai Krakow, or the xpadneo project.
Our goal is simple: help Linux users find accurate information about xpadneo, understand how to install and configure it, and download it from the official source. We never host or modify software files. All download and installation references point to the official xpadneo GitHub repository.
We respect the developers and their work. If you find xpadneo useful, consider starring the project on GitHub, filing helpful bug reports, or contributing code.
Get in Touch
Questions or feedback about this website? Visit our Contact page. For xpadneo support, bug reports, or feature requests, please use the official GitHub issue tracker.