Xbox One Controller on iPad and iPhone: A few days ago I was talking about how to connect a PS4 controller to an iOS device and use it to play compatible titles. Today it’s time to talk about a similar topic, although this time with the command of another popular console. Along the following lines, I will explain how to connect an Xbox One controller to an iPad or iPhone.
How to Play with the Xbox One Controller on iPad and iPhone
Actually the process is not very different from the other controller. The main difference is how the controller is put into pairing mode, although it is also important to consider which Xbox One controller you have since there are two versions: one compatible and the other not.
Is my Xbox One controller compatible with iOS?
Microsoft released two different Xbox, One controller models, to the market. One of them has Bluetooth connectivity and the other uses another wireless system that is not compatible with iOS devices.
Checking if your controller is the Bluetooth version is very easy. Basically you should look at the controller, more specificallynotice how the Xbox button is placedon the front of the controller.
In case it is surrounded by the same plastic as the rest of the buttons on the front, it will be compatible with iOS. On the other hand, if the button is surrounded by the same plastic as the upper triggers, it will not be compatible.
How to connect the controller to the iOS device
If your controller has Bluetooth connectivity, you can now continue with theprocess of connecting to the iOS device. To do this you must do the following:
- Open Settings on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch and tap on Bluetooth.
- Activate the Bluetooth option switch in case it was not.
- Turn on the console controller by pressing the Xbox button until you see the white light.
- Press and hold the pairing button on the controller (the one at the top, next to the triggers).Release it when the white light blinks very fast.
- As soon as it enters pairing mode, the iOS device should locate and display it in the Other devices section of the Bluetooth settings.
- Tap on it (it will appear as Xbox Wireless Controller) to complete the connection.
Once these stepshave beentaken,the pairing will be finishedand both the controller and the iOS device will be ready to “understand each other”.
From this moment on, you can play any game that is compatible with the console controls with the Xbox controller. Currently, the list of titles is not very big, but as the launch of iOS 13, iPadOS and, above all, Apple Arcade (the Netflix-style game subscription service) approaches, we are sure to see a flood of games update to be compatible.