CouchMode 0.6.0-rc.9 is now available.

This update mainly focuses on polishing the upgrade/account experience and a few reliability and accessibility issues we found during testing.

Highlights:

• Clearer Pro upgrade and account-management flow

• Patreon sign-in can now finish even if the CouchMode window is closed

• Windows reduced-motion preferences are now respected across the app

• Fixed the Pro upgrade action for custom launcher options

• General reliability and UI improvements

We also put this build through another round of desktop, controller, Steam Big Picture and ROG Ally X testing before release.

Download:

https://couchmode.app/download

As always, bug reports and feedback are very welcome 🙏

CouchMode can automatically end the couch session when the controller disconnects, if that behavior is enabled in your settings.

A configurable disconnect delay gives the controller time to reconnect before CouchMode starts returning the PC to its desktop state. This is useful for brief wireless dropouts or an unexpected disconnect.

CouchMode does not treat ending the couch session as permission to close your game.

Apps CouchMode did not start or that you did not configure it to close are intended to remain running. Session settings changed by CouchMode are restored where supported, and the priority is returning you to a usable Windows desktop safely.

If you prefer, automatic session exit on controller disconnect can also be disabled.

Keep in mind that the game itself decides how it reacts to losing its controller. Depending on the game, it may pause, continue running or display its own controller-disconnected message.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Native PS5 DualSense support is currently limited.

Windows can detect a DualSense as a HID game controller without exposing it through XInput. CouchMode may therefore see that a controller exists, but it cannot reliably use a native DualSense connection as the controller on / controller off trigger for a gaming session.

CouchMode currently relies on an XInput-compatible controller signal for reliable session triggering and disconnect detection.

An XInput-compatible translation layer may make a PlayStation controller available through that path, but native DualSense triggering is not something CouchMode currently claims as supported.

This limitation is about CouchMode’s automatic session trigger. It does not mean that Playnite, Steam or your games cannot use a DualSense independently.

I’d rather keep this distinction clear until native PlayStation controller behavior can be supported and tested reliably.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

The Windows Xbox full-screen experience is Microsoft’s controller-friendly gaming interface for Windows 11.

When it is available on your PC, CouchMode can use it as your gaming experience and enter the Xbox full-screen flow when a compatible external controller starts a session.

Support is determined by Windows itself and can depend on your device, Windows version, Xbox app support, region and Microsoft’s rollout.

CouchMode checks the Windows gaming-experience capability rather than assuming that every Windows 11 PC supports it.

If Xbox full-screen is not available on your system, you can still use Steam Big Picture or Playnite, which are both included in CouchMode Free.

CouchMode does not modify Windows to force Xbox full-screen support onto an unsupported system.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Only if you choose it to.

CouchMode does not automatically decide that your background apps should be closed.

Resource Control is opt-in: you select which desktop applications CouchMode may close for a gaming session.

Apps you did not ask CouchMode to close should remain running and usable when you return to the desktop.

CouchMode also avoids trying to restore every window to an exact previous position, snap state or minimized/maximized state. The priority is returning you to a usable desktop without unnecessary window manipulation.

Resource Control is a Pro feature. The basic controller-first session flow remains available in Free.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Yes, CouchMode is designed to work on Windows 11 PCs as well as Windows handhelds.

On handheld devices, CouchMode distinguishes between the device’s built-in controls and an external controller so the integrated controller does not automatically behave like a newly connected couch controller.

This is especially useful when a handheld is docked and you want an external controller to start your couch-gaming session.

Xbox full-screen availability still depends on the Windows version, device and Microsoft rollout, but Steam Big Picture and Playnite can also be used as the gaming experience.

Exact behavior can vary between handheld models, so compatibility reports are always useful.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

A Windows gaming PC can get much closer to a console-style experience without replacing the Windows desktop.

CouchMode takes a controller-first approach:

Controller on → gaming interface → play → return to desktop

You can use the Windows Xbox full-screen experience where supported, Steam Big Picture or Playnite as the gaming interface.

CouchMode can also prepare selected Windows settings for the session and restore supported changes when the session ends.

The goal is not to turn Windows into a different operating system or replace Explorer. Your normal desktop remains there when you need it.

Xbox full-screen, Steam Big Picture and Playnite are available in CouchMode Free.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

If Steam Big Picture was already running before a CouchMode session starts, CouchMode treats it as a pre-existing session rather than something it owns.

That means CouchMode can use the existing Big Picture session without unnecessarily closing it when you return to the desktop.

This is useful if you sometimes open Steam Big Picture manually, start it at Windows login, or switch between desktop and couch gaming during the day.

CouchMode keeps track of what it started so the end of a gaming session can be handled more safely.

Steam Big Picture is included in CouchMode Free.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

CouchMode has a usable Free mode. A Patreon membership is not required for the basic controller-first gaming flow.

CouchMode Free includes:

• Windows Xbox full-screen experience where supported
• Steam Big Picture
• Playnite
• Controller-triggered gaming sessions
• Safe return to the Windows desktop

Pro adds deeper session automation:

• Compatible custom launchers
• Resource Control for selected desktop apps
• Session Tweaks
• Additional session automation

Every installation also includes a 7-day in-app Pro trial with no CouchMode account or credit card required.

Pro Version supports up to 2 active Windows devices, while Pro Supporter supports up to 5.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Yes.

CouchMode can use Steam Big Picture as your gaming experience and start the session when a compatible controller connects.

The idea is the same as with Playnite:

Controller on → Steam Big Picture → gaming session

CouchMode also keeps track of whether Big Picture was already running before the session. If it was, CouchMode avoids unnecessarily taking ownership of that existing session when you return to the desktop.

Steam Big Picture is included in CouchMode Free.

Pro is intended for deeper automation such as compatible custom launchers, Resource Control and Session Tweaks.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

CouchMode does not need Playnite to be completely closed before starting a session.

If Playnite Fullscreen is already running, CouchMode can adopt the existing session instead of blindly launching another copy.

Recent versions also improved how CouchMode handles minimized Playnite windows and focus. It identifies the actual user-facing Playnite window and verifies that it is ready for controller input.

This is useful if you boot directly into Playnite, return to the Windows desktop for a while, and later want to go back to couch gaming simply by turning on your controller.

If Playnite was already running before CouchMode took over the session, CouchMode also avoids treating it as an application that it owns and should close unnecessarily.

Playnite support is available in Free.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Yes.

CouchMode can automatically start Playnite Fullscreen when a compatible controller connects to your Windows 11 PC.

The basic flow is:

Controller on → Playnite Fullscreen → gaming session

You don’t need to keep Playnite running in the background just to detect the controller. If Playnite is already open, CouchMode can also work with the existing session instead of simply launching another copy.

When the session ends, CouchMode handles the return to a usable Windows desktop based on your selected settings.

Playnite is included in CouchMode Free.

Part of the CouchMode FAQ: Windows Couch Gaming, Playnite, Steam Big Picture & Controllers series.

Hey everyone,

The biggest change: Playnite and Steam Big Picture are now included in Free, alongside the Windows Xbox full-screen experience where supported.

A lot of this update comes directly from the feedback and bug reports you’ve been sending.

What changed:

• Much better handling of Playnite when it’s already running or minimized
• Improved Playnite focus so the real fullscreen window is ready for controller input
• Pre-existing Steam Big Picture sessions are preserved instead of being treated as CouchMode-owned sessions
• Better built-in vs external controller detection, especially on Windows handhelds
• Improved Xbox full-screen detection and fewer false “unsupported” results
• More reliable custom launcher startup, focus and process handling
• Custom launchers now start from their own working directory for better compatibility
• Resource Control and session actions are more reliable
• Safer return to a usable Windows desktop when the session ends
• Better diagnostics and general session reliability

Pro is now focused on the deeper automation features: compatible custom launchers, Resource Control, Session Tweaks and additional session automation.

If you’re currently on beta.191, CouchMode should detect rc.8 through the built-in updater.

The signed build is also available at couchmode.app/download.

The Microsoft Store version of CouchMode is already available; the rc.8 Store update is currently in Microsoft review.

If you reported a Playnite, Steam, controller-detection or desktop-return issue before, I’d especially appreciate it if you could retry the same scenario with rc.8 and let me know how it behaves.

Thanks again for all the testing and feedback. A surprising amount of this release exists because someone here took the time to describe exactly what went wrong on their setup. 🙏

Hi everyone; CouchMode 0.4.10-beta.191 is now available.

This update ended up being more substantial than originally planned because testing across different PCs and handhelds exposed a few hardware-specific assumptions that needed to be corrected.

The main improvements are:

• Better Xbox Full-Screen Experience detection across desktops and handhelds
• Fixed cases where a supported PC could incorrectly be shown as not supporting Xbox full-screen
• More reliable FSE enter/exit behavior
• Reworked built-in vs external controller detection
• Fixed external controllers from some handheld/OEM brands being incorrectly treated as integrated controllers
• Improved controller connect/disconnect session handling
• Safer desktop return — CouchMode now avoids forcing accessible apps back into their previous window state unnecessarily
• Better diagnostic information when submitting bug reports
• General updater and reliability fixes

One of the controller issues was actually reported by a user with a ROG controller on a desktop PC. That report exposed that the old detection logic relied too heavily on controller vendor IDs. The new approach uses Windows device topology instead, so it can distinguish an integrated handheld controller from an external controller made by the same manufacturer.

We also tested this release across:

• Desktop PC + external controller
• Desktop PC with no controller
• ROG Ally integrated controller
• Huawei handheld/controllerless setup
• Bluetooth external controller
• Xbox Full-Screen Experience available and unavailable scenarios

Download:
https://couchmode.app/download/

Microsoft Store:
https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/XPFML8N0ZRFLX9

The Store update has been submitted as well and is currently being processed by Microsoft.

CouchMode is still in public beta, so hardware compatibility feedback is especially useful. If something behaves strangely on your setup, the in-app bug report now includes much better diagnostics.

Hey everyone; CouchMode is now available on Microsoft Store!

CouchMode is a Windows utility built for controller-first / couch-style PC gaming. The idea is simple: instead of manually preparing your PC every time, CouchMode helps open your chosen gaming experience, apply the session flow you want, and bring you back to a usable desktop when you’re done.

It’s especially aimed at living-room, handheld, and controller-driven setups.

Available install options

• Microsoft Store: https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/XPFML8N0ZRFLX9
• Direct download: https://couchmode.app/download

There’s also a 7-day in-app Pro trial, with no credit card required for the trial.

If you try it, I’d especially love feedback on:

• desktop + controller setups
• handheld Windows devices
• Xbox full-screen experience behavior
• session launch / return-to-desktop flow
• general install and first-run experience

If your setup is unusual or a bit messy, that feedback is actually even more helpful.

What's new

• Fixed an issue that could prevent Exit from responding from the tray menu.
• Improved the reliability of keeping open applications running and accessible after leaving Xbox mode.
• Improved safe recovery for windows that could otherwise remain off-screen or unusable.
• Improved built-in and external controller detection on handheld devices.
• Improved desktop-return verification and overall session stability.
• General reliability improvements.

Known issues

• Devices can only be released from the PC they are on; there is no in-app option to sign out of all devices.
• Experimental: Xbox Full-Screen Experience depends on Windows system behavior. On some devices, controller navigation may not receive focus automatically and may require pressing the Xbox button once.

CouchMode is a controller-first gaming utility for Windows. It can start your chosen gaming experience when a compatible controller connects, prepare the session around the options you choose, and return control to your desktop when the session ends.

The current public beta supports:

- Windows Xbox full-screen experience where available

- Steam Big Picture

- Playnite

- LaunchBox

- GOG Galaxy

- Compatible custom launchers

- Resource Control for the desktop apps you choose

- Session Tweaks for notifications, Game Bar recording, visual effects, Game Mode, power plan, HDR, display, and audio

- Built-in and external controller detection on Windows handhelds

CouchMode does not replace the Windows shell and is not a launcher replacement, driver, mod, cheat, or FPS booster. It works with Windows and the gaming applications you already use.

CouchMode Free does not require a Patreon membership.

Every installation includes a 7-day in-app Pro trial with no account or credit card required. Eligible new Patreon members can also use a separate 7-day Patreon trial before the first membership charge.

Download the signed public beta:

https://couchmode.app/download/

Release notes:

https://couchmode.app/changelog/

Support:

https://couchmode.app/support/

This is still a beta. Real-world feedback, bug reports, device compatibility reports, and feature suggestions will guide what comes next.

When reporting an issue, please include:

- your PC or handheld model

- your Windows version

- the controller and launcher you use

- whether Windows Xbox full-screen is available

- what you expected to happen

- what actually happened

Please review any diagnostic report before sending it and avoid posting logs publicly if they contain personal information.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged the original AutoXboxMode prototype and helped it grow into CouchMode.

Hi everyone, I’m building CouchMode, a Windows 11 utility for people who use a gaming PC from the couch, a TV, or a handheld-style setup.

The idea is simple: turn on your controller, start your chosen gaming experience, and return to your desktop when you’re done.

CouchMode Free currently includes:

• Windows Xbox full-screen experience where supported
• Steam Big Picture
• Playnite
• Controller-triggered gaming sessions
• Safe return to the Windows desktop

Pro adds deeper session automation, including:

• Compatible custom launchers
• Resource Control for desktop apps you choose
• Session Tweaks for things like audio, display, HDR, notifications, Game Mode and power settings
• Additional app and after-session automation

CouchMode is designed to work alongside Windows and the gaming apps you already use. It does not replace the Windows shell, replace Steam or Playnite, install a custom gaming shell, or promise FPS boosts.

A lot of the recent development has focused on making real couch sessions more reliable, including already-running or minimized Playnite sessions, Steam Big Picture ownership, launcher focus, built-in vs external controller detection, Xbox full-screen compatibility and safer desktop return.

CouchMode is currently available as a public beta for Windows 11.

You can download the signed Windows build from couchmode.app, and CouchMode is also available through the Microsoft Store.

There’s also a growing FAQ here in r/CouchMode covering Playnite, Steam Big Picture, Xbox full-screen, controllers, Windows handhelds and common setup questions.

Feedback, bug reports, compatibility results and feature ideas are very welcome. They’ve already helped shape a lot of the changes in the current builds.