How to Set Up Your NEO S Controller and Charging Dock

Quick answer

Charge the NEO S on its dock first, then pair it wirelessly to your device in this order: Switch, PC or Mac, mobile or tablet, smart TV. The dock handles everyday charging, and the controller keeps the last paired device in memory, so most setup problems come from pairing in the wrong order or leaving the controller asleep.

Before you start: what you need

You need the NEO S controller, its matching charging dock, the USB cable that came with the dock, and a powered USB port or wall adapter. The dock is designed to work with the controller it shipped with, so keep the pair together if you own more than one NEO S. Editions such as the NEO S Raven Fortnite Edition with Charging Dock and the NEO S Rocket League x Monstercat 10th Anniversary Edition with Charging Dock each include their own matching dock.

Step 1: Charge the dock and controller

Plug the dock's USB cable into a powered port or adapter and set the controller on the dock until it seats fully. Give it a full charge before your first wireless session so you are not troubleshooting pairing on a nearly empty battery. If the controller does not seem to charge, lift it and reseat it; a partial seat is the most common reason a dock appears dead.

Step 2: Pair with your first device

Turn the controller on and put it into pairing mode, then open your device's Bluetooth menu and select the NEO S when it appears. Pair to one device at a time and confirm the connection works in a game or menu before moving on. If the controller does not appear, turn it off and on again and repeat the pairing step rather than deleting and re-adding it repeatedly.

Step 3: Switch between Switch, PC, mobile and smart TV

The NEO S is compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile, tablet and smart TV gaming, so you can move it between devices without buying separate hardware. Pair it to the second device the same way you paired the first, then use the controller's reconnect behavior to jump back to a previously paired device. If a device refuses to reconnect, forget the NEO S in that device's Bluetooth list and pair once more.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not leave the controller on the dock while pairing; a seated controller can behave differently than a handheld one. Do not pair to two devices at the same time during setup. And do not assume a new edition needs different steps: the setup process is the same across NEO S editions, including the NEO S Retro Gold Edition, even though the shell and bundled dock artwork differ.

NEO S setup checklist

1. Charge before pairing: Seat the controller fully on the dock and charge it before your first wireless session. Checkpoint: the controller powers on and stays on when lifted off the dock.
2. Pair to one device: Put the NEO S in pairing mode, then select it in your device's Bluetooth menu. Checkpoint: the device shows the NEO S as connected, not just detected.
3. Test in a game: Open a game or menu and confirm buttons and sticks respond before pairing a second device. Checkpoint: input registers within a second or two of pressing a button.
4. Add your other devices: Repeat pairing for Switch, PC or Mac, mobile or tablet, and smart TV as needed. Checkpoint: each device remembers the NEO S after you switch away and back.
5. Fix a failed reconnect: If a device will not reconnect, forget the NEO S in that device's Bluetooth list and pair once more. Checkpoint: the controller reconnects without deleting it from your other devices.

NEO S editions and what they include

• NEO S Raven Fortnite Edition with Charging Dock: NEO S Raven Fortnite Edition with Charging Dock is compatible with PC, Switch, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TV gaming, and comes with a matching charging dock. You can use one controller across your main gaming devices and keep it charged on the included dock.
• NEO S Rocket League x Monstercat 10th Anniversary Edition with Charging Dock: NEO S Rocket League x Monstercat 10th Anniversary Edition with Charging Dock is compatible with Switch 1 | 2, PC/Mac, Mobile/Tablets and Smart TV gaming, and includes a matching charging dock. If you play on Switch 2 or a Mac, this edition lists those platforms directly, so you can pair without checking compatibility elsewhere.
• NEO S Retro Gold Edition: NEO S Retro Gold Edition is a wireless collectible controller designed for Nintendo Switch, PC, Mobile and Smart TV gaming. This edition is a good fit if you want the NEO S experience without the game-specific artwork, and it pairs the same way.