EXO Passthrough Mode

Passthrough Mode hands your controller, keyboard and mouse straight through the EXO, untouched. Use it to get around console menus, the PC desktop or a game's settings, then switch it off to get your config back.

What it is

Normally the EXO runs everything you plug in through your config: your aim curve, mappings, scripts and Smart Actions. That's what you want in a match, but not when you're typing a Wi-Fi password or clicking through menus.

Passthrough Mode switches all of that off for a moment. Your inputs go to the console or PC as they are:

On a PC with a keyboard and mouse, the EXO presents your real keyboard and mouse, as if they were plugged straight into the PC. You can type and click normally.
On a console, your controller drives the menus directly, with no config in the way.
Your config is bypassed, not changed. Nothing is lost. Turn Passthrough off and you're back to exactly where you were.

You may see it called Navigate in a few places. It's the same mode.

When to use it

Situation	Why Passthrough helps
Typing in a menu, chat or password box	Your keys type letters instead of acting as game buttons.
Using the PC desktop or a launcher	Your mouse moves the cursor normally instead of turning into stick movement.
Changing in-game settings	Menus respond to your real inputs, with no scripts firing.
Checking something is wrong with a config	If things work in Passthrough but not in your config, the config is the cause.

Turn it on

Open the ZeroStick app and go to HOME.
Tap Passthrough Mode.
A yellow Passthrough Mode Active banner appears on HOME. While it's showing, your inputs go straight through.

HOME with Passthrough Mode on: (A) the Passthrough Mode Active banner with Turn off Passthrough.

You can also turn it on from Global Settings → General → Passthrough Mode.

Shortcuts

You don't have to open the app every time. A shortcut is a pair of inputs you press together to switch Passthrough on or off, for example a keyboard key plus a mouse side button.

Go to Global Settings → General.
Switch Shortcut buttons on.
Under Your shortcuts, tap Add a shortcut and press the two inputs you want. They must be two different inputs.
To remove one, tap it and remove it. Restore defaults brings back the built-in shortcuts.

Global Settings: (B) Passthrough Mode shortcut buttons on the General tab, (A) Theme.

Tip Pick a shortcut you'd never press by accident in a match. Two buttons pressed together is the safest choice.

Turn it off

Any of these returns you to your config:

Tap Turn off Passthrough on the yellow HOME banner.
Press your shortcut again.
Use the button in Global Settings → General → Passthrough Mode.

HOME with Passthrough Mode on: (A) Turn off Passthrough control.

Troubleshooting

What you see	What to do
My aim, scripts or mappings stopped working	Check HOME for the yellow banner. Passthrough is probably on. Turn it off.
The shortcut does nothing	Make sure Shortcut buttons is on in Global Settings → General, and that you press both inputs together.
I keep turning it on by accident	Change the shortcut to a pair you don't use in game, or switch Shortcut buttons off.

Related: App tour · Gaming on PC · Troubleshooting