With iOS 13 and iPadOS, Apple is making its iPhone and iPad a true gaming system thanks to their support for Xbox One controllers and PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controllers. That means you will be able to play a host of iOS games using your favorite controller.
This is Apple’s latest effort to enhance user gaming experience and pave the way for its upcoming gaming service, Arcade. Back in March, the Cupertino firm announced that users could play and stream their PS4 games to their iPhone and iPad using the Remote Play app.
Also read: How to play PS4 games on you iPhone or iPad with Remote Play for iOS
In this guide, we will show you the steps on how to pair your Xbox One controller and DualShock 4 controller with an iPhone or iPad. Keep in mind that you are going to need iOS 13 and iPadOS to do this. That means you are now on the beta which may include bugs and glitches.
How to Pair a PS4 DualShock 4 Controller with an iPhone or iPad
Setting up a DualShock 4 controller with an iOS device is pretty simple and all it takes is a fully-charged controller.
Step one: First off, turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, launch the Settings app > Bluetooth and turn on the switch.
Step two: Now press and hold the PlayStation button and the Share button at the same time. If you do this correctly, the light should flash now indicating that the controller is now ready to pair.
Step three: Go back to your iPhone and you should see your DualShock 4 Controller under the Under Devices section. Just tap on it to start pairing. Your controller should have a pink light, indicating that it’s now connected to your iPhone or iPad.
That’s it! If you want to disconnect your controller from your iPhone or iPad, open Control Center, then go to Bluetooth menu and hold the Bluetooth button. From here, tap on the DualShock 4 Controller option to stop pairing.
How to pair Xbox One controller with an iPhone or iPad
The method used to pair an Xbox One controller with your iPhone or iPad is a little bit different. Indeed, you are going to need a Bluetooth-enabled Xbox One controller to set things up. That means you will need the model 1708, which comes bundled with the Xbox One S. If you now have an earlier version of Xbox One controller, you are out of luck.
Microsoft says that Xbox gamers can use the Elite 2 Controller, which comes out this fall for $180, to pair with their iPhone or iPad.
Step one: To set it up, you first need to turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad. To do this, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn on the switch.
Step two: Now grab your Xbox One controller, then press the Xbox button to turn on your controller and then hold down the button on the back for 5 seconds. If this is the first time you are pairing your Xbox One controller to an external device, hold down on the Xbox button for a few seconds.
Step three: Pick up your iPhone or iPad and you should notice that the Xbox One controller is now ready to pair with your phone. Hit the Pair button and it’s immediately paired with your iOS device.
Step four: To unpair your controller with your iPhone or iPad, simply hold down the Xbox button for 5 seconds until it shuts down entirely. Alternatively, go to Control Center and disconnect.
Wrapping Up
Apple’s support for Xbox One controllers and PlayStation DualShock 4 controllers is the latest move to make iPhone and iPad a true gaming system. Apple now has a lot of games in the works ahead of the public release of Apple Arcade.
