The Basic Connection Process

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 pairs like most modern controllers: you hold a button to put it in pairing mode, then select it from your device's Bluetooth menu. The controller ships in pairing mode already, so if this is your first time connecting it, you can skip straight to your device's Bluetooth settings and look for "8BitDo Ultimate 2" in the list. Once you tap it, the connection completes in a few seconds.

If the controller has been paired before or you're connecting to a second device, you'll need to manually enter pairing mode. Hold the Pair button (the small button on the back, near the top) for three seconds until the LED on the front flashes blue. The flashing blue light means the controller is broadcasting and ready to pair. Go to your device's Bluetooth settings, find "8BitDo Ultimate 2" in the available devices list, and select it.

Once paired, the controller remembers that device. The next time you turn on the controller near that device, it will reconnect automatically without needing the pairing process again — you'll see the LED turn solid blue instead of flashing.

Key Takeaways

  • New controllers arrive ready to pair; just open your device's Bluetooth settings and select "8BitDo Ultimate 2" from the list.
  • To pair with a different device, hold the Pair button on the back for three seconds until the LED flashes blue, then select the controller from Bluetooth settings.
  • A solid blue LED means the controller is connected; a flashing blue LED means it's in pairing mode and waiting for a device to select it.
  • The controller remembers up to four paired devices and reconnects automatically when you turn it on near a device it has paired with before.

Pairing on Windows, Mac, and Linux

On Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and click "Add device." Select Bluetooth from the popup, then wait for "8BitDo Ultimate 2" to appear in the list. Click it and Windows will complete the pairing. The controller will show as connected in the Bluetooth menu.

On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, and wait for "8BitDo Ultimate 2" to appear under "Available devices." Click the Connect button next to it. Mac will pair the controller and it will appear under "My Devices" once connected.

On Linux, the process depends on your desktop environment, but the general path is the same: open your system's Bluetooth settings (usually in System Settings or Control Center), look for the controller in the available devices list, and select it to pair. If you're using a command-line tool like bluetoothctl, the pairing process is the same — put the controller in pairing mode and use the scan and pair commands.

Pairing on iPhone, iPad, and Android

On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure it's turned on. The "8BitDo Ultimate 2" will appear under "Other Devices" once it's in pairing mode. Tap it to pair. After pairing, it will move to the "My Devices" section and reconnect automatically when you turn it on.

On Android, open Settings, go to Connected devices or Bluetooth (the exact path varies by manufacturer), and tap "Pair new device" or the plus icon. Select "8BitDo Ultimate 2" from the list. Some Android devices will ask you to confirm the pairing on both the phone and the controller — if that happens, confirm on both. Once paired, the controller will reconnect automatically.

Both iOS and Android will remember the controller after the first pairing. If you switch between devices, you don't need to unpair — just turn off the controller, turn it on near the new device, and it will reconnect to whichever device it was last paired with. If you want to switch to a different device, put the controller in pairing mode and select the new device from its Bluetooth menu.

Pairing on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation

On Nintendo Switch, go to System Settings, select Controllers and Sensors, then Change Grip/Order. Press the Pair button on the back of the controller for three seconds until the LED flashes. The Switch will detect the controller and add it to your system. Once paired, the controller will reconnect automatically when you turn it on in handheld or docked mode.

On PlayStation 5, hold the Pair button for three seconds until the LED flashes blue. Go to Settings, select Accessories, then Controllers, and the PS5 will find and pair the 8BitDo Ultimate 2. On PlayStation 4, the process is the same: Pair button for three seconds, then go to Settings, Devices, Bluetooth Devices, and select the controller from the list.

Both consoles will remember the controller after pairing. If you pair the same controller to multiple consoles, you can switch between them by putting the controller in pairing mode and selecting it from the new console's settings. The controller will only connect to one device at a time, so if it's paired to your Switch and you want to use it on your PS5, you'll need to put it in pairing mode again and select it from the PS5 menu.

What to Do If the Controller Won't Pair

If the controller doesn't appear in your device's Bluetooth list, make sure the Pair button is held for a full three seconds — a quick press won't work. The LED should flash blue; if it doesn't, the battery may be low. Plug the controller into a USB-C charger for 30 minutes and try again.

If the controller appears in the list but won't connect, try removing it from your device's paired devices list and pairing again from scratch. On most devices, you can do this by going to Bluetooth settings, finding "8BitDo Ultimate 2" in your paired devices, and selecting "Forget" or "Remove." Then put the controller in pairing mode again and pair it fresh.

If the controller pairs but disconnects when ready, the device may not have enough Bluetooth range or there may be interference from other wireless devices. Move closer to the device and away from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or other 2.4 GHz devices. If the problem persists, restart both the controller and the device you're pairing with.

Switching the Controller Between Devices

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 can remember up to four paired devices at once. To switch between them, turn off the controller, turn it on near the device you want to use, and it will reconnect automatically to whichever device it was last connected to. If you want to connect to a different device in your list of four, put the controller in pairing mode and select it from that device's Bluetooth menu — it will reconnect without needing to pair again.

If you want to pair the controller to a fifth device, you'll need to forget it from one of the existing four first. Put the controller in pairing mode, go to the new device's Bluetooth settings, and select the controller. It will pair to the new device and drop the oldest pairing from memory automatically.

To completely unpair the controller from all devices, hold the Pair button for ten seconds until the LED turns off. This clears all saved pairings. The controller will then be in factory pairing mode, ready to pair with a new device as if it were brand new.

LED Lights and What They Mean

The LED on the front of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 tells you the controller's status. A solid blue light means the controller is connected to a device and ready to use. A flashing blue light means the controller is in pairing mode and waiting for you to select it from a device's Bluetooth menu. A red light means the battery is low — usually below 20 percent — and you should charge it soon.

If the LED is off, the controller is powered down. If the LED flashes red, the battery is critically low and the controller may shut down during use. Plug it into a USB-C charger when ready. The LED will turn solid red while charging and return to blue once the battery is full.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 on multiple devices at the same time?

No, the controller can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch to a different device, turn off the controller, turn it on near the new device, and it will reconnect to whichever device it was last paired with. To connect to a different device in your paired list, put it in pairing mode and select it from that device's Bluetooth menu.

Do I need to unpair the controller before pairing it to a new device?

Not if you're pairing it to a device it hasn't been paired with before. Just put it in pairing mode and select it from the new device's Bluetooth menu. If you're pairing it to a fifth device and you've already paired it to four others, you'll need to forget it from one of the existing devices first.

Why does my controller keep disconnecting?

This usually happens because of Bluetooth range or interference. Move closer to your device and away from Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, or other wireless devices. If the problem continues, restart both the controller and your device. If it still disconnects, try removing the controller from your paired devices list and pairing it again from scratch.

How long does the battery last after pairing?

Battery life depends on how much you use the controller, but the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 typically lasts 20 to 30 hours on a full charge. The LED will turn red when the battery drops below 20 percent. Charge it with any USB-C cable — it takes about two hours to fully charge.

Can I pair the controller to my PC and console at the same time?

The controller can be paired to both, but it can only connect to one at a time. If you want to use it on your PC, turn it on near your PC and it will reconnect there. To switch back to your console, turn off the controller, turn it on near the console, and it will reconnect to the console instead.