Games can play pretty nicely on a touchscreen, but there’s nothing quite like a controller to really let you take gaming more seriously on your iPhone, iPad or Apple TV.
The good news is thatAppledevices work with a wide range of Bluetooth controllers, including Xbox controllers, PS5 DualSenses and the DualShock 4.
These are ideal for gaming onApple Arcadesince many of its games work with controllers, with little noticeable latency. If you want an even bigger bonus, though, try Cloud gaming services, such asXbox Cloud Gaming, which are transformed by controller play.
So, here’s how you can hook up an Xbox or PlayStation controller to your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple TV.
First up, we’ll tackle your iPhone or iPad connections since the steps are the same for each.
Xbox Wireless Controller
An Xbox controller is perfect for use with Apple devices - it has comfortable ergonomics and solid battery life and is super easy to connect.
Next, let’s talk about Apple TV - because it’s slightly different (although not by much).
This will let you use your controller on your Apple TV easily. It’s not just in games, either - you can also use the controller for all navigation on Apple TV instead of the included remote.
The instructions on how to pair a PS4 controller are similar to the above.
PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller
The DualSense is our current favourite console controller, and it also works nicely with Apple’s hardware - so pick one up to see for yourself.
However, setting the controller into pair mode is different.
From there, you can head to a game and use your controller!
How to connect any Bluetooth controller to your iPhone or iPad
If you don’t have an Xbox or PlayStation controller, don’t fear - the steps to connect your third-party Bluetooth controller should be pretty similar to those we’ve laid out above.
The key variable will be that you will have to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to put the controller in pairing mode. Once that’s done, you can go to your device’s Bluetooth settings and connect to it just like any of the versions that we’ve already laid out above.
How to use your Xbox and PS5 controllers after pairing
Once initially paired, you may automatically link your controller by pressing either the Xbox symbol on the Xbox pad or the PlayStation button on the PS4 alternative.
To disconnect them and power them down, head to the Bluetooth menu on your respective device, tap on the information icon and then “Disconnect”.
When your controller is on and connected, just head into a game that supports controller inputs and press a button - the game should recognise it and swap over your button prompts to reflect the new control scheme.
What controller is best for the iPhone or iPad?
This is a slightly complicated question - we’ve given you the steps to connect every type of controller between the Sony and Microsoft options and then the open category of any Bluetooth controller.
Which one you should opt for is a more personal thing. If you own either the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S (or a PS4 or Xbox One), this means you’ll have a controller that will work perfectly already, so you don’t need to think about any new purchases.
If you don’t have a controller at all yet, you might want to think about an integrated controller grip like the Backbone One, which plugs into your iPhone and doesn’t use Bluetooth.
Backbone One
The Backbone One is a twist on the idea of a controller, gripping your iPhone and letting you hold it all in one. It won’t work with an iPad or Apple TV, though!
If you want a wireless controller, though, we think the DualSense is the best standard option out there right now. It’s comfortable, well designed, and built to last, plus it works great with a PC as well as its native PS5.
The DualSense is our top choice for a wireless controller to connect to your iPhone and iPad.
