How to Connect an Xbox Controller to iPhone
Connecting an Xbox gaming controller to an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad is fairly simple and should take no more than a few minutes to complete. Here’s how:
Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iOS device. If Bluetooth is disabled, tap the toggle switch to turn it on. Press the Xbox logo button in the center of the controller to power it on. Only Xbox controllers with Bluetooth support can connect to your iOS device. You can check for Bluetooth support on the controller’s box, if you still have it, or by looking at the controller itself. Newer Xbox controllers with Bluetooth support have a traditional audio jack, while older models only have a square port. Microsoft Firmly press the Sync button at the top of the controller until the Xbox logo button begins to flash. Microsoft The Sync button is the small black button with the three curved lines next to it. It’s the same button you use to connect the Xbox controller to a PC or Xbox One console. Your Xbox controller should appear in the list of Other Devices. Tap its name to pair it to your iOS device. If you want to use your Xbox controller with your Xbox One after connecting it to your iPhone or iPad, you need to re-pair it to the console. It might be a good idea to get one controller for your Xbox One console and another to use as an Xbox phone controller. Open the iOS video game of your choice and tap Controller, or a phrasing similar to this, from its in-app settings.
Can You Connect Xbox Controllers to iPhones Running iOS 12?
The ability to connect Xbox controllers to an iPhone or iPad is only officially supported in iOS 13 and up. To pair an Xbox controller with a device running iOS 12 or an earlier version of the Apple operating system, you need to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad, then install the Cydia app, which adds the functionality.
Since iOS 13 is a completely free update for most iPhone and iPad owners, it’s highly recommended you simply update your device’s operating system and connect an Xbox controller the official way described above.
Essentially, you can jailbreak an older iPhone model to support Xbox controllers, but the device may not be powerful enough to play the video games that support controllers. Many popular iPhone games require one of the latest versions of iOS to even run.
What iPhone Games Support Xbox Controllers?
A growing number of video games on iPhone support Xbox controllers and other traditional gamepads. The iOS versions of Fortnite and Stardew Valley are two of the most popular titles with Xbox controller support. Some other titles you can use your controller with are:
Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Terraria The Deer God PewDiePie: Legend of Brofist Pang Adventures Shantae: Risky Adventure Roblox Attack the Light: Steven Universe Light RPG
