How to connect an Xbox controller to your iPhone to play games and more
- To connect an Xbox controller to your iPhone and play games with it, you'll need to have at least iOS 13.
- You can connect nearly any Xbox controller, whether it's from the Xbox One or Xbox Series X/S.
- Make sure that your Xbox controller has Bluetooth and is in pairing mode before trying to connect it.
Thanks to some recent updates, you can now connect nearly every popular video game controller to your iPhone. This includes Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S controllers, which are considered some of the best on the market.
Although not every game supports the use of controllers, several of the more popular games on the App Store allow it, including nearly every game in the Apple Arcade.
Quick tip: To connect an Xbox controller to your iPhone, make sure that you're running at least iOS 13. If you still have iOS 12 or earlier, you'll need to update your iPhone.
Pairing your Xbox One controller to your iPhone is pretty straightforward. Here's how to do it.
Does your Xbox controller have Bluetooth?
Your iPhone connects to game controllers using Bluetooth. This means that any controller you connect needs to have Bluetooth, too.
Luckily, nearly all official Xbox controllers have Bluetooth. This includes the controllers that come with the Xbox One S, Xbox One X, and Xbox Series X/S. So if you've bought your controller within the last five years, you probably don't need to worry.
If you're still using the controllers that came with the original Xbox One, however, you might need to upgrade.
There's an easy way to tell if your Xbox One controller has Bluetooth. A Bluetooth-capable Xbox One controller has plastic around the Xbox button that matches the rest of the controller's color. Non-Bluetooth controllers instead have plastic that matches the color of the bumper buttons.
How to connect an Xbox controller to your iPhone
Now, if you have an Xbox controller with Bluetooth:
1. Hold down the Xbox logo button, located at the top-center of the controller, until it starts flashing. If it doesn't flash and instead just glows solidly, it's already paired to a nearby Xbox — if this is the case, hold the small button located next to the charging port until the Xbox logo flashes.
2. Grab your iPhone and open the Settings app, then tap Bluetooth.
3. Once you're in the Bluetooth menu, you should see a device named "Xbox Wireless Controller" or something similar. Tap it, and your iPhone will ask you if you want to pair the device.
4. Select Pair.
5. Later, if you're done using the controller and want to disconnect it, go to the Bluetooth menu again, tap the small i icon next to the device's name, and then tap Disconnect.
Quick tip: While you have a controller connected, head to the Settings app and select General. There, you'll find a menu called Game Controller. You can use this menu to customize the controller's buttons.
Taylor Lyles Taylor Lyles is a freelance writer for Business Insider. Read more Read less
William Antonelli Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation. You can find him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher, or reach him by email at wantonelli@businessinsider.com. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvHqK5mrJ9isLC6zZ6arWWol7y5ecKopa2qn6G5pr6MraZmoaCdvK%2Bx