What accessories do you need for Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox?
See which Microsoft Flight Simulator Xbox accessories you need, what is optional, and how to avoid buying PC-only yokes, pedals or HOTAS gear.
You only need the standard Xbox Wireless Controller to play Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox Series X|S. For a better setup, add a USB mouse for cockpit controls, then choose either an Xbox-compatible joystick/HOTAS or yoke. A keyboard, rudder pedals, headset and compatible expansion storage are optional, not requirements.
This advice applies to Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 when installed on Xbox Series X|S. Exact device support and default control assignments can differ between simulator builds.
Which Xbox flight controls should you buy?
Choose a joystick or HOTAS for versatility, and a yoke for aeroplanes that use yoke-style controls.
| Control | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox controller | Casual flying, camera control and sofa use | Short stick travel and less precise throttle control |
| Joystick or HOTAS | Mixed aircraft, jets and helicopters | Requires desk space; some systems use several components |
| Yoke and throttle | General aviation and airliner flying | Larger, usually more expensive and less suitable for aircraft flown with a stick |
A joystick with a twist grip provides pitch, roll and yaw without separate pedals, making it the most complete single upgrade. A HOTAS adds a dedicated throttle and more controls within reach. Our comparison of Xbox controllers, joysticks and HOTAS systems explains which type suits each style of flying.
A yoke makes sense if you mainly fly Cessnas, turboprops or airliners. Check the yokes and required hubs that work on Xbox before buying, because physically similar PC-only models are not automatically console compatible.
Do you need a mouse and keyboard on Xbox?
A mouse is optional but is often the highest-value Microsoft Flight Simulator Xbox accessory for operating cockpit switches, displays, knobs and toolbar panels.
A keyboard adds shortcuts, text entry and extra commands, but it does not replace an analogue controller for comfortable flying. Wired USB devices are the simplest choice; wireless sets need an Xbox-compatible USB receiver, as ordinary Bluetooth peripherals cannot simply be paired with the console. Our guide to using a mouse and keyboard on the Xbox version covers the practical setup.
Do you need rudder pedals?
Rudder pedals are not required if your joystick has twist yaw or you are comfortable using the gamepad's assigned yaw controls.
They become more useful for crosswind landings, coordinated turns, helicopter anti-torque control, taildraggers and steering aircraft that use differential braking. Buy pedals after your main flight control, not before it, and check where pedals add enough control to justify the cost.
Can PC flight controls work on Xbox?
PC flight controls work on Xbox only when that exact model or revision explicitly supports Xbox.
A USB plug is not proof of compatibility. Xbox cannot load the Windows drivers or configuration software required by many PC-only yokes, throttles and pedals. Some console-compatible pedals and throttles must connect through their matching yoke, joystick base or proprietary hub rather than directly to the Xbox.
Do not assume a generic USB hub will make an unsupported device work. It may provide ports for a mouse and keyboard, but it cannot add Xbox authentication or translate a PC-only flight controller.
If Microsoft Flight Simulator is being streamed through cloud gaming rather than installed on Xbox Series X|S, specialist peripheral support may be restricted. Use the standard controller unless the streaming setup explicitly recognises the flight hardware.
Why is an Xbox accessory detected but not working?
Most accessory failures come from compatibility, connection or control-profile problems rather than a fault in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- No response at all: confirm the exact model supports Xbox, select its Xbox mode if it has one, connect any required hub and restart the simulator with the device attached.
- Buttons work but axes do not: open the simulator's control options, select that specific device and check its axis assignments. A recognised peripheral may still have an incomplete default profile.
- Aircraft controls move by themselves: remove duplicate pitch, roll, yaw or throttle assignments from the gamepad and flight controller. Also check piloting assistance if the simulator keeps overriding an input.
- Pedals are missing: verify whether that pedal model connects to the console, the yoke base or a dedicated accessory hub. Connecting it by the wrong route is a common mistake.
- Intermittent disconnections: reduce unnecessary USB devices, inspect the cable path and follow the flight-control manufacturer's intended power and connection arrangement.
What should you buy first?
For most Xbox pilots, the sensible order is mouse first, primary flight control second and specialist accessories later.
- Start with the Xbox controller. It already handles the aircraft, cameras, menus and basic cockpit interaction.
- Add a mouse. This makes detailed cockpit operation much quicker without taking over the flying controls.
- Choose one primary control. Buy a joystick/HOTAS for flexibility or a yoke and throttle for yoke-equipped aeroplanes.
- Add pedals only when needed. They improve yaw control but are not essential for beginning or enjoying the simulator.
- Consider convenience accessories. A keyboard helps with shortcuts, while an Xbox-compatible headset is useful for multiplayer and immersion.
Extra storage is a capacity upgrade rather than a flying accessory. If internal space is tight, use storage approved to run Xbox Series X|S-optimised games; an ordinary USB drive may store the installation without being able to launch it.