How To Connect A PS4, Xbox One Controller To An iPhone

For the longest time ever, if you wanted to connect a gaming controller to your iOS device, the only official way to do that would be to look for MFi accessories. Unfortunately, some of these accessories might not necessarily be the best option, but thankfully when Apple launched iOS 13, they finally included support where PS4 and Xbox One controllers could actually be paired with iOS devices.

If you’re thrilled by the notion of being able to play your games using more robust controllers, you’ll be happy to learn that the process of pairing your controller with your iOS device is actually pretty simple and straightforward and probably will only take you a couple of seconds. Check out the instructions below if you’d like to learn how to pair a PS4 or Xbox One controller with your iPhone.

How To Pair A PS4 DualShock 4 Controller With Your iPhone

1. Go to your iPhone Settings and ensure that Bluetooth is on
2. Grab your PS4 DualShock 4 controller
3. Push and hold the PS button and share button at the same time for 5 seconds
4. After 5 seconds you should see the lightbar start to blink
5. Go back to your iPhone and under Bluetooth, you should see “DualShock 4 Wireless Controller” listed
6. Tap on it to connect
7. Your PS4 DualShock 4 controller’s lightbar will turn pink once it has been successfully connected

How To Pair An Xbox One Controller With Your iPhone

Unfortunately, unlike the PS4 DualShock 4 controller, pairing the Xbox One controller with the iPhone is a bit more tricky. This is because it won’t work with any Xbox One controller. You will need to have the Bluetooth-specific Xbox One controller that ships with the Xbox One S or the Xbox One Elite 2 controller. If you don’t have either, then you’re out of luck.

However, if you do own the Bluetooth-specific model, then the steps involved to pair it with your iPhone is pretty simple and straightforward.

1. Go to your iPhone Settings and ensure that Bluetooth is on
2. Grab your Xbox One controller
3. Press and hold the wireless button on your Xbox One controller for a few seconds (the button is located at the top of the controller towards the back)
4. The light on the Xbox button should start flashing
5. Go back to your iPhone and under Bluetooth, you should see “Xbox Wireless Controller”
6. Tap on it to connect
7. If it has been successfully connected, the Xbox button’s light will stop flashing and will remain lit

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Gaming
Tags: iOS, ios 13, iPhone, Microsoft, PS4, Sony, Xbox One