The best iOS gaming controllers for iPhone in 2024

Compared to the other controllers in its price range, the 8BitDo Ultimate excels in nearly every way. It's more comfortable than the Switch Pro Controller, easier to keep charged than the Xbox Core Controller, and more customizable than the Gulikit KingKong2 Pro. There's a reason I consider it not only the best iOS controller, but also the best Nintendo Switch controller and the best PC gaming controller.

First, comfort. The 8BitDo Ultimate features grippy handles that feel wonderful against your palms, and it has textured joysticks that are hard to slip off. Like other 8BitDo controllers, it also has a D-pad that's solid and precise, especially compared to most mobile controllers. The buttons are nicely tactile, too, although the extra paddle buttons on the back are easy to hit accidentally.

The 8BitDo Ultimate comes in two different versions — the Ultimate 2.4g and the Ultimate Bluetooth — both of which can connect to iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, PC, Nintendo Switch, Raspberry Pi, and Steam Deck. But the Ultimate Bluetooth Controller, which is more expensive, also offers motion controls for Switch games and has more accurate Hall Effect joysticks. On the other hand, the Ultimate 2.4g Controller is $20 less but has no gyroscope and uses ALPS joysticks, which are prone to drift over time.

If you don't care about Switch motion controls, stick with the Ultimate 2.4g. You'll save money and likely won't notice any difference in the joysticks for mobile gaming. The 2.4g Controller's face buttons are also in the more common Xbox layout (which puts the A button on the bottom and the B button on the right), which most mobile games have as the default. The Bluetooth Controller uses the Nintendo layout, which is reversed.

Due to its size, the 8BitDo Ultimate isn't the most portable controller around. It's probably better for sessions where you sit down and play for a few hours than it is to just pull out on your morning commute. But this makes it great for longer games like Genshin Impact and Resident Evil.

One of my favorite things about the 8BitDo Ultimate is that it comes with a charging dock. This gives you a convenient way to store and charge your controller at the same time. And 8BitDo also offers a free PC app called 8BitDo Ultimate Software that lets you remap any button on the controller, change the joystick dead zones, and more. If you have the Bluetooth Controller it's also available as an iPhone app.

For $50 — a price that gets discounted regularly — the 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4g Controller is definitely the best iOS gaming controller on the market. It pairs perfectly with the best iPhones and best iPads, and is an equally great fit for lots of other devices.

Read our 8BitDo Ultimate Controller review.

Although 8BitDo's top controllers are the Ultimate 2.4g and Ultimate Bluetooth, the brand is best known for its smaller gamepads that look like retro console controllers. And of those classic-style gamepads, the 8BitDo Pro 2 stands out as one of the best iOS gaming controllers you can buy.

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is shaped like a Super Nintendo controller with two handles glued onto it. But despite this retro aesthetic, the Pro 2 has all the features you'd expect from a top-tier modern gamepad. That includes twin joysticks, bumper buttons, and paddle buttons (which are too easy to hit accidentally but still nice to have). And although the Pro 2's grip texture isn't as nice as the Ultimate Controller's, it still feels great on your palms.

Like 8BitDo's other retro gamepads, the Pro 2's standout feature is its D-pad, which is a clear upgrade compared to other mobile-focused controllers. It's solid, precise, and comfortable even when you're mashing. It's even better than the D-pads you'll find on the Xbox Core, Xbox Elite, and especially the Sony DualSense, which is a squishy mess.

Also, just like the Ultimate Controller, the Pro 2 is compatible with loads of different devices — the current lineup is iOS/iPadOS, Apple TV, Android, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and Raspberry Pi — and also supports button customization through the 8BitDo Ultimate Software app. But all this convenience is packed into a slimmer controller, perfectly sized for smartphone gaming.

The Pro 2 isn't the only classic-style 8BitDo controller I recommend. I also love the 8BitDo SN30 Pro, which drops the handles for an even more retro and compact look. You can even buy it with an included mobile clip. But the SN30 Pro can't be customized with the Ultimate Software app for iOS, which gives the Pro 2 a slight edge.

Xbox controllers are famous for being compatible with a wide range of devices. The Xbox Elite Series 2 controller takes this versatility a step further, letting you physically switch out the D-pad, joysticks, and paddle buttons. This is in addition to Windows' Xbox Accessories app, which lets you customize your controller digitally.

But the physical design really earns the "Elite" controller its name. The gamepad's most striking feature is its handles, which are made with tough rubber that's grippy, cool on your hands, and incredibly hard to damage. These are complemented by satisfyingly clicky buttons and bumpers, finely textured joysticks, and triggers that can be switched from analog to digital. It doesn't take much playtime to appreciate the Elite's premium build.

However, the physical design does have its drawbacks. For one, the Elite Series 2 is a chunky controller, one of the biggest gamepads you can buy. That can be an awkward match with portable mobile gaming. And although most of the replaceable parts are great, some — like the joysticks with no grip — aren't up to snuff.

Aside from that, the Elite Series 2's biggest flaw is its price. The full package, which includes both the controller and its modular parts, is $176. That's a gut punch of a price, especially if you've just paid $800 for an iPhone. But Microsoft also offers a cheaper "Core" version that doesn't include replaceable parts, which brings the price down to a more reasonable $130-$140.

If you only plan to use the Elite Series 2 for iOS gaming, I'd stick with the cheaper Core model. You'll still get those premium rubber grips, but save some cash.

Read our Xbox Elite Series 2 controller review.

So far, all the gamepads I've recommended are great iOS gaming controllers, but none are specifically made for smartphone gaming. In contrast, with its clip-on holster and built-in iPhone charger, the PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus offers a uniquely mobile-first experience that's made for iOS gaming aficionados.

The PowerA MOGA XP5-i Plus (it's a mouthful of a name, I know) is built with rubber handles, similar to the Xbox Elite Series 2, and its joysticks have a fantastic grip texture. All the buttons feel comfortable to press, tap, or mash — even the D-pad, which is often forgotten in products like these — and the bumpers are satisfyingly clicky. I wish the triggers had a similar click, but they're unfortunately squishy.

But what makes the MOGA XP5-i Plus a mobile controller? The most obvious difference is its included clip-on iPhone holster, which you can adjust the angle and size of. It's easy to attach and sturdy — at no point did I ever feel like the holster was at risk of falling off or dropping my phone. The holster can't fit an iPad, but that's to be expected.

I also have to appreciate the gamepad's built-in power bank, which lets you divert some of the controller's battery life to charge your iPhone while you're playing. It's even got a battery life indicator, so you always know when you're due for a charge.

The MOGA XP5-i Plus sells for $80, which makes it pricier than other midrange controllers. But when you consider the partial rubber construction, included holster, and power bank, I think it's worth that price increase.

I definitely prefer the MOGA XP5-i Plus to the SteelSeries Nimbus Plus, another popular mobile-first controller. While the Nimbus Plus has a better D-pad, the rest of its buttons are squishier, and it has a terribly flimsy smartphone holster that just sucks to adjust.

Companies like PowerA, 8BitDo, and Orzly also sell stand-alone iPhone holsters that you can attach to other controllers. Give them a look if you already have a controller you want to use with your iPhone.

The Nintendo Switch — which is, when you break it down, just a touchscreen with a thin controller on each side — is the most popular console of this generation. So it's no wonder that one of the best iOS gaming controllers is the Backbone One, an adapter that gives your iPhone a Switch-style makeover.

The Backbone One works by clamping onto your iPhone in landscape mode. You can choose between a Lightning (for iPhone 14 and older) or USB-C (for iPhone 15 and Android) model, and each version has a plug inside that connects to your phone  — no Bluetooth required. This physical connection also enables support for a passthrough charging port and 3.5mm headphone jack. The all-in-one design, along with its slim build, makes the Backbone One supremely portable. 

Considering its size, I'm surprised by how comfortable the Backbone One feels to play with. Compared to my time testing competitors, like the Razer Kishi V2 (which is even smaller), I never felt any sort of strain or struggle while playing. Buttons, bumpers, and the D-pad are satisfyingly clicky, and the joysticks move smoothly. I worry that gamers with bigger hands might not gel with the compact size — especially considering the controller has absolutely no grip texture, just smooth plastic — but I don't mind it.

Aside from the lack of grip, the Backbone One's biggest design flaw is how the iPhone actually fits inside. The controller doesn't have any sort of lock, so putting your iPhone in and taking it out of the cradle is a pain. And although the controller does come with a plastic adapter that helps larger iPhone models (like my iPhone 14 Pro) fit, it never seems quite right. 

When you look at the setup from a top-down perspective, the iPhone isn't actually sitting straight in the Backbone's cradle, but diagonally, which I worry is putting strain on the charging plug or port. I was always slightly worried that my iPhone would pop out of place. But reviews from other outlets and customers don't report any issues, so I might be worrying over nothing.

The fact is that my iPhone never popped out. It stayed sturdy, and the Backbone One stayed comfortable. That blend of comfort and portability absolutely earns the Backbone One its spot in this guide.

Our picks for the best iOS gaming controllers were selected using a mix of research and hands-on testing. The five recommended controllers represent only a sample of the controllers tested, and each one went through hours of testing over multiple days.

I tested each potential recommendation using an iPhone 14 Pro and iPad Air (5th generation), and with a variety of games across multiple genres. These games included Call of Duty: Mobile, Rocket League Sideswipe, Crazy Taxi, Vampire Survivors, and more. Every potential pick was evaluated based on its comfort, features, ease of use, price, and other relevant categories.

I also make sure to read existing reviews and product recommendations for the controllers I'm considering. This helps me understand whether any issues I encounter are widespread, and discover things I might have missed in my own testing. I take all these steps to ensure that every buying guide I write is well-rounded, accurate, and helpful.

Can I connect a controller to my iPhone or iPad with a wire or cable?

Yes, but it depends on what model phone or tablet you have. A growing number of wired controllers are compatible with the iPhone 15, which has a USB-C port. But for older iPhones that use a Lightning port, compatible wired controllers are rare.

Aside from the Backbone One — which isn't really wired, just clamped in a charging dock — the only wired Lightning-port controller I know of is the Rotor Riot RiotPWR controller. I haven't personally tested this gamepad, but it's earned praise from other reviewers I trust.

Can I use a controller with every iOS game?

No, only certain iPhone and iPad games are developed with controller support. They're mostly platformers, first-person shooters, racing games, and fighting games.

And unfortunately, there isn't an easy way to figure out which games have controller support aside from downloading and testing them. Games that have the "Controller Supported" flag on their App Store page are guaranteed, of course, but there are plenty of games without that flag that you can use a controller with, like Rocket League Sideswipe or Genshin Impact.