What macros do in Dolphin and why you might need them

A macro in Dolphin Emulator is a recorded sequence of button presses that plays back when you press a single button. Instead of holding Z and pressing B and moving the stick all at once, you press one button and Dolphin does all three things in the order you recorded them. Macros are useful when a game requires a complex button combination repeatedly — a special move in a fighting game, a charged attack in an action game, or a menu navigation sequence you perform dozens of times.

Dolphin stores macros as part of your controller profile, so they stay with that controller setup even if you switch games. You can have up to four macros per controller profile, and each one can contain up to 60 button inputs. The macro runs at the same speed your original recording played, so timing matters — if you recorded a move slowly, it will play back slowly.

Key Takeaways

  • Macros record a sequence of button presses into a single button, and you set them up in Dolphin's controller configuration window under the Buttons tab.
  • You record a macro by clicking the record button next to an empty macro slot, then performing the button sequence at normal speed, then clicking record again to stop.
  • Macros play back at the exact speed you recorded them, so practicing the timing before you record produces better results than recording slowly.
  • Each controller profile can hold up to four macros, and you assign each one to a physical button on your controller.

Opening the controller configuration window

Start Dolphin and go to Options in the menu bar, then select Controller Settings. A window opens showing your current controller setup. Make sure the controller you want to configure is set to a real device — if it says "None" or "Standard Controller", click the dropdown and select your actual controller (usually "XInput" for Xbox-style controllers or the name of your specific device).

Once your controller is selected, click the Configure button next to it. This opens the button mapping window where you can see every button on your controller and what action it performs in the emulator. The Buttons tab is where you'll work — it's usually the first tab visible.

Finding the macro slots and recording your first macro

Scroll down in the Buttons tab until you see four rows labeled Macro 1, Macro 2, Macro 3, and Macro 4. Each row has a text field showing what inputs are in that macro (empty at first) and a button labeled Record next to it. Click the Record button for the macro slot you want to use — let's say Macro 1.

The button changes to say Stop and Dolphin is now listening for your inputs. Perform the button sequence you want to record at normal playing speed. Press each button in order, hold buttons if the move requires holding, and move the stick if needed. When you're finished, click the Stop button. Dolphin displays the recorded inputs in the text field — you'll see something like "B Z A" or "Z(0.5s) B A" if you held a button.

If the recording doesn't look right, click Record again and redo it. There's no limit to how many times you can re-record a macro slot. Once you're happy with the recording, move to the next step.

Assigning the macro to a physical button

Now you need to tell Dolphin which button on your controller will trigger this macro. Look for the button you want to use — for example, if you want the macro to run when you press the right bumper, find the row labeled R or RB depending on your controller type. Click in the text field for that button.

A small window appears asking you to press the button you want to assign. Press the right bumper (or whichever button you chose). Dolphin records it and closes the window. Now that button is mapped to whatever action was there before — usually nothing if it's an unused button.

To change it to your macro instead, click in that button's field again. This time, instead of pressing a button, look for a dropdown menu or a button labeled something like Macro or Select Macro. Click it and choose Macro 1 (or whichever macro you just recorded). The field now shows "Macro 1" and that button will trigger your recorded sequence.

Testing your macro before you play

Close the controller configuration window by clicking OK or Close. Load a game where you can safely test the macro — a menu screen or a practice mode is better than jumping into live gameplay. Press the button you assigned the macro to and watch what happens. The macro should play back the exact sequence you recorded.

If the timing feels off or the move doesn't work, go back to Options > Controller Settings, click Configure, and re-record that macro. Sometimes a sequence needs to be slightly faster or slower than you first recorded it, or you may have missed a button press. Re-recording takes 10 seconds, so don't hesitate to adjust.

If you want to record a second macro, repeat the process with Macro 2, Macro 3, or Macro 4. Each one works independently and can be assigned to a different button.

Common issues and how to fix them

If a macro doesn't seem to work at all, first check that the button you assigned it to isn't also mapped to something else. Go back to controller configuration and look at the button's field — it should show only "Macro 1" or whichever macro you chose, not "Macro 1, A" or any other action. If it shows multiple things, click the field and clear out the extra mappings.

If the macro plays but the game doesn't respond to it the way it should, the timing may be wrong. Some games need a tiny pause between button presses, and if you recorded the inputs too quickly, they run together. Re-record the macro more slowly, leaving a small gap between each button press. You can also try holding buttons slightly longer if the game expects a button to be held for a minimum time.

If Dolphin crashes or the macro slot shows an error, close the configuration window without saving, restart Dolphin, and try recording again. Macro slots occasionally glitch if you record over them many times in one session.

Saving your configuration so it doesn't disappear

When you click OK in the controller configuration window, Dolphin saves your macros to that controller profile automatically. The profile is stored in Dolphin's config folder, usually in a file named after your controller. As long as you don't delete that profile or reset your controller settings, your macros stay there.

If you want to back up your macros or move them to another computer, find your Dolphin config folder (on Windows it's usually in Documents/Dolphin Emulator, on Mac it's in Library/process Support/Dolphin, on Linux it's in .config/dolphin). Copy the entire folder to a safe location. If you ever need to restore your macros, copy that folder back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record a macro that includes stick movements?

Yes. When you're recording, move the stick in the direction and distance you want, just like you would during normal play. Dolphin records the stick position and angle. The macro will replay that exact movement when triggered.

What happens if I assign the same macro to two different buttons?

Both buttons will trigger the same macro. This is useful if you want a move available on multiple buttons, but be careful not to do it by accident — it can make gameplay confusing if you press the wrong button and the same thing happens.

Can I edit a macro after I record it, or do I have to re-record it?

You have to re-record it. Dolphin doesn't have a text editor for macros — you click Record, perform the sequence again, and click Stop. There's no way to manually type in button names or edit individual inputs.

Will my macros work if I switch to a different controller?

No. Macros are stored in the profile for a specific controller. If you plug in a different controller, you'll need to set up new macros for it. You can create multiple controller profiles in Dolphin, each with their own macros.

Is there a limit to how long a macro can be?

Yes, Dolphin limits macros to 60 button inputs total. Most game moves are much shorter — usually 3 to 10 inputs — so you'll rarely hit this limit unless you're recording a long menu navigation sequence.