To connect a controller to your phone, put the controller into pairing mode, then choose it from your phone’s Bluetooth list. On an Xbox Wireless Controller, hold the pair button until the Xbox button flashes quickly. On a PlayStation DualSense, hold the Create button and the PS button until the light bar blinks. Then on iPhone open Settings > Bluetooth, or on Android open your Bluetooth settings, and tap the controller. It only helps in games that support controllers. Many console-style games and cloud gaming apps do. Most touch-first casual games don’t.
Which controllers work with phones? #
| Controller | iPhone | Android | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Wireless Controller | Yes | Yes | Bluetooth models only. Very early Xbox One controllers lack Bluetooth |
| PlayStation DualSense (PS5) | iOS 14.5 or later | Android 12 or later | Some features, such as haptics and the built-in mic, don’t work on phones |
| PlayStation DualShock 4 (PS4) | Yes | Yes, on recent versions | A good budget option |
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Con | Supported since iOS 16 | Often works | Support varies by Android phone |
| Clip-on controllers | Yes | Yes | Plug into the phone’s port, no pairing |
Apple’s own controller help page covers Xbox, PlayStation and other Bluetooth controllers with the same basic steps.
How to connect an Xbox controller #
- Turn the controller on with the Xbox button.
- Press and hold the small pair button on top of the controller until the Xbox button starts flashing quickly.
- iPhone: open Settings > Bluetooth and tap Xbox Wireless Controller under Other Devices. Android: open Settings, go to Bluetooth (under Connected devices on Pixel phones, or Connections on Samsung phones), tap Pair new device, and choose the controller.
- The Xbox button stays lit once it’s connected.
If you later turn on your Xbox console, the controller may reconnect to it instead. Pair it again with your phone when you want to switch back.
How to connect a PlayStation controller #
These steps come from Sony’s DualSense pairing guide:
- Make sure the controller’s player light is off. If it’s on, hold the PS button until it turns off, and unplug any USB cable.
- Press and hold the Create button, then press and hold the PS button until the light bar blinks. On a PS4 DualShock 4, hold Share and PS instead.
- Open Bluetooth on your phone and select the controller.
- The light bar blinks, then the player light turns on when it’s connected.
Sony lists iOS 14.5 or Android 12 as the minimum for the DualSense. Adaptive triggers don’t work on Android, and the haptic feedback, microphone, speaker and headphone jack don’t work on phones at all.
What about clip-on phone controllers? #
Clip-on controllers like the Backbone One, Razer Kishi and GameSir models hold your phone between two handles and plug straight into its charging port. There’s nothing to pair, no separate battery to charge on most models, and they fold small enough for a bag. The catches are fit and connector: buy the version for your port (USB-C on newer iPhones and on Android, Lightning on older iPhones), and you may need to take a thick case off.
They’re the most comfortable option for playing in bed or on a commute. A console controller is better for playing on a stand or casting to a TV.
How can you tell if a game supports controllers? #
- Check the store page. Developers usually mention controller support in the description, and many console ports and Apple Arcade games say so on their listing.
- Just try it. Connect the controller and press buttons on the game’s main menu. If nothing moves, it isn’t supported.
- Cloud and Remote Play apps support controllers, since they stream console games. Our guide to cloud gaming on your phone covers the services.
Controllers make the biggest difference in shooters, racing games, platformers and action games, where virtual on-screen buttons cover the picture and give you nothing to feel. They add nothing to touch-first games. Flappy Kittens, for example, is built around a single tap anywhere on the screen, so it’s designed for your thumb and doesn’t use a controller. For more games that work well with just a thumb, see our list of one-handed mobile games.
How to remap controller buttons #
On iPhone, connect the controller and open Settings > General > Game Controller. You can change what each button does, either for every game or for specific apps. On Android, remapping depends on your phone and the game. Some games have their own control settings, and some phones include mapping in their game mode.
How to fix controller connection problems #
- Forget the controller and pair it again. On iPhone, open Bluetooth settings, tap the info button next to the controller, and choose Forget This Device. Android has a similar option in the device’s Bluetooth settings.
- Turn off nearby consoles. A console can grab the controller back as soon as it wakes up.
- Charge the controller. Low batteries cause dropouts.
- Update your phone’s system software. Controller support often improves with updates.
- Reduce Bluetooth clutter. Headphones, watches and other devices on the same connection can cause stutter.
If buttons feel slightly late, that’s usually Bluetooth delay or the game itself. A wired clip-on controller has the least delay, and our guide to fixing lag in mobile games covers the other causes.
Frequently asked questions #
Can I use a PS5 controller on my iPhone? #
Yes. The DualSense works on iOS 14.5 and later. Haptics, the microphone and the speaker won’t work, but the buttons, sticks and triggers do.
Does a controller work with every mobile game? #
No. The game has to support controllers. Many console-style games do, but most casual touch games, puzzle games and one-tap games don’t.
Can I use a Nintendo Switch controller with my phone? #
Apple added support for Switch Joy-Con and Pro Controllers in iOS 16. Many Android phones pair with the Pro Controller too, but support varies by phone and game.
Why does my controller keep disconnecting? #
The usual causes are low battery, a nearby console taking it back, or interference from other Bluetooth devices. Forgetting and re-pairing the controller fixes most cases.
Is a clip-on controller better than a console controller? #
For playing handheld, usually yes. It’s more compact, has less delay and needs no pairing. A console controller is better if you already own one or want to prop the phone up and sit back.