###### (This is the documentation for SDL3, which is the current stable version. [SDL2](https://wiki.libsdl.org/SDL2/) was the previous version!)
# SDL_OpenJoystick

Open a joystick for use.

## Header File

Defined in [<SDL3/SDL_joystick.h>](https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL/blob/main/include/SDL3/SDL_joystick.h)

## Syntax

```c
SDL_Joystick * SDL_OpenJoystick(SDL_JoystickID instance_id);
```

## Function Parameters

|                                  |                 |                           |
| -------------------------------- | --------------- | ------------------------- |
| [SDL_JoystickID](SDL_JoystickID) | **instance_id** | the joystick instance ID. |

## Return Value

([SDL_Joystick](SDL_Joystick) *) Returns a joystick identifier or NULL on
failure; call [SDL_GetError](SDL_GetError)() for more information.

## Remarks

The joystick subsystem must be initialized before a joystick can be opened
for use.

## Version

This function is available since SDL 3.1.3.

## See Also

- [SDL_CloseJoystick](SDL_CloseJoystick)

----
[CategoryAPI](CategoryAPI), [CategoryAPIFunction](CategoryAPIFunction), [CategoryJoystick](CategoryJoystick)