Best Game Controllers for iPhone 2024

If you want to take gaming on the iPhone to another level, then you'll need the best game controller for iPhone on the market. iPhone gaming is more popular than ever before, powered by strong titles on Apple Arcade, Netflix, and the App Store. The latter even boasts AAA titles like Assassin's Creed Mirage and titles from the Resident Evil Franchise. 

But all of these games share one thing in common, they're best enjoyed on a controller. You'll find that nearly all of the best game controllers for iPhone are shell controllers that convert your device in a comfortable gaming handheld, a bit like a Nintendo Switch. If that's not your cup of tea, however, there are alternatives for people with smaller hands, or separate units if you're on a budget. Here's our top picks. 

Quick List

Take a fast look through the best game controllers for iPhone, with choices for different needs and budget. To read more about any of them, just click to jump down to our full write-ups.

Best game controllers for iPhone: in depth

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The best controller overall

Gamevice Flex playing Wonderbox

Gamevice Flex playing Wonderbox (Image credit: Gerald Lynch / Future)

1. Gamevice Flex for iPhone

The best way to play on your iPhone

Specifications

Compatibility: Lightning, USB-C
Companion app: Yes
Power: Passthrough
Dimensions: 14.2 x 3.2 x 10.23 cm; 181.4g

Reasons to buy

+
Superb design accommodates cases
+
Ergonomic controls
+
+ Lightning port pass-through charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Setup can be a little confusing
-
App isn't great
-
D-Pad a little spongy

The Gamevice Flex for iPhone answers one of the most long-standing problems with iPhone gaming controllers: if you want to play a mobile game with a game pad, you're usually going to have to remove your phone's protective case in order for it to fit in a cradle or gaming shell.

But with the Gamevice Flex, that's no longer a problem. It includes a deeper cavity to accommodate not only all iPhone sizes, but also those phones with all manner of protective cases around them too. With a flexible back panel, the Gamevice Flex expands to fit all sizes and contracts to hold the phone in place, with numerous included inserts to pad the cavity out and give a snug, safe fit for your iPhone.

We called it a literal game-changer in our review, making for a far less convoluted play time as a result of not having to remove our cases. And, as a controller generally it's great too! Responsive sticks, good action to buttons and stacked shoulder triggers make this relatively light-weight case one you can enjoy playing with for hours. It's easily our top recommended iPhone controller.

The best controller for using different launchers

Backbone One (2nd gen) review

Backbone One (Image credit: Future)
An excellent alternative to the Gamevice Flex

Specifications

Compatibility: Lightning, USB-C
Companion app: Yes
Power: Passthrough
Dimensions: 17.53 x 3.25 x 8.89 cm; 281 g

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Now accommodates cases
+
USB-C passthrough

Reasons to avoid

-
Case bracket is a little fiddly
-
Not very ergonomic
-
Small buttons

The Backbone One is one of iPhone controllers you'll see recommended a lot, and for good reason. It's very well-designed, available in both Lightning and USB-C variants, and pairs with an incredibly slick companion app that brings all your various game libraries (Apple Arcade, Game Pass, PS Remote Play etc) under one roof, even if actually launching games often requires you to jump to the required app. The Backbone app also boasts some really useful multiplayer features. 

A new Backbone One was launched last year to coincide with the release of the iPhone 15. As well as a USB-C connector, the 2nd Gen Backbone One comes fresh with a brand-new design that now accommodates iPhone cases. That means you can plug and play without removing your iPhone case, a massive upgrade and improvement on the previous model. It has great build quality and a fantastic set of buttons.

The Backbone One has plug-and-play compatibility, sharp inputs, and a conventional layout. Available in two models, a standard ABXY layout and a PlayStation-inspired version in white, complete with the familiar PlayStation face buttons. 

The best controller for comfort

Gamesir G8 Galileo on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future)

3. GameSir Galileo G8

The best iPhone controller for supreme comfort

Specifications

Compatibility: USB-C
Companion App : Yes (Android-only)
Power : Battery
Dimensions: 17.53 x 3.25 x 8.89 cm; 299 g

Reasons to buy

+
Very comfortable
+
Moving USB-C plug for easy iPhone connection
+
Excellent buttons, triggers and sticks
+
Hall Effect triggers and sticks

Reasons to avoid

-
Android-only app
-
iPhone 15-only

What you prioritise with mobile controllers will determine whether the GameSir Galileo G8 is right for you. If you need a feature-heavy app then you're better going with something like the Backone One. For iPhone users, there's no app compatibility here, with it being limited to Android. And if you're rocking a pre-15 iPhone, you should look elsewhere too as there's no Lightning option. 

But for comfort, convenience and smart design, the Galileo G8 excels. The plastic build is of high quality and feels good in the hands, even after a long session. The controller is equipped with both Hall Effect triggers and Hall Effect sticks, which use magnetic sensors rather than traditional components for less wear and tear and therefore little to no risk of the dreaded drift. You get responsive triggers, pleasingly clicky bumpers, ABXY face buttons and a traditional D-pad, plus start and menu buttons for games that support them.

One of our favorite design features is the USB-C connector. Unlike on other controllers, where this fixed in place, GameSir instead allows it to tilt and move, which makes it much easier to attach your phone at an angle and frankly should be an idea that other manufacturers adopt.

The best controller for smaller hands

GameSir X2S Controller

(Image credit: GameSir)

4. GameSir X2S

Hands on the smaller side? This might be the controller you've been looking for

Specifications

Compatibility : USB-C
Companion app: Yes (Android-only)
Power: Battery
Dimensions: ‎17.78 x 8.43 x 3.76 cm; 230 g

Reasons to buy

+
Attractive design
+
Hall Effect sticks
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
No aux jack
-
Not compatible with cases
-
Not one size fits all

Some iPhone game controllers have universal appeal. Others are very much suited to a particular audience, and in the case of the GameSir X2S you're going to get people for whom it's the only controller they ever use, and others who dismiss it for good after a few minutes. Why? Size, mainly. You see, the X2S is small, too small for our original reviewer, but perfect for their partner, whose hands are much smaller. It's not just the physical dimensions of the X2S that are on the smaller side, but the buttons and sticks too. 

In some hands, the X2S will feel more manageable than some of the other controllers on the market. For others, its diminutive build won't be comfortable. But let's say you're in the thumbs up camp. We think you'll also appreciate the decidedly SNES-like styling of the controller, the clicky buttons, swappable layouts, Hall Effect sticks and dedicated screenshot button. The triggers are super smooth too. 

Downsides include the absence of an aux, an app (for iPhone users at least), and the fact that won't fit a case in it too. But for the money GameSir is asking for this is a great little controller. Just remember the emphasis on the little. 

The best controller for accessibility

Xbox Adaptive Controller Hero

Xbox Adaptive Controller Hero (Image credit: Microsoft)

5. Xbox Adaptive Controller - Gaming

Best for accessibility

Specifications

Compatibility: Bluetooth
Companion app: N/A
Power : Battery
Dimensions: 29.2 x 13 x 23 cm; 552g

Reasons to buy

+
Essential to bringing gaming to players with disabilities
+
Extremely customizable
+
Compatible with Windows 7,8, and 10, Xbox One, Xbox Series X & S

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive and can get more expensive with additional parts

While a lot of us may not like touch controls, we can't deny that there's an audience for them, especially for those with disabilities. Microsoft, seeing the need for a bridge between the two worlds, introduced the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

The Xbox Adaptive controller was created with limited mobility players in mind. The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a unified hub and works with various external devices, such as switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks to create a custom controller. You may customize it further by adding button, thumbstick, and trigger inputs via the addition of assistive devices that connect through the 3.5mm jack or the USB ports.

Like the Xbox Controller and the PlayStation Controller, gaming on an iPhone with the Adaptive Controller requires an additional mount. Still, it's the ideal controller for any gamer who may need extra assistance while they play.

Everyone deserves the chance to game, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller ensures that many will get it.

The best controller for those on a budget

Rotor Riot Hero Controller

Rotor Riot Hero Controller (Image credit: Rotor Riot)

6. Rotor Riot Gamepad Controller

One of the best ways to play on your iPhone

Specifications

Compatibility : Lightning
Companion app: Yes
Power: Battery
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 5 cm; 470 g

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Mount can be removed from the controller
+
Includes all of the features you'd find in an Xbox or PlayStation controller

Reasons to avoid

-
Build quality is somewhat lacking

If you're looking for a dedicated mobile phone controller that feels like a traditional controller in every way, rather than a dock or a cradle, you might like the Rotor Riot, an iPhone controller with a built-in mount.

The Rotor Riot comes with everything you'd find in an Xbox or PlayStation Controller. Two analog sticks, an 8-way D-pad, and L3 and R3 functionality mean you'll be getting the full feature set found with a controller. There's even the option to charge while playing via pass-through charging. You can use the affiliated app, Ludu Mapp, to find over 1000 controller compatible games.

So what are the downsides? The Rotor Riot is the most affordable choice on our list, but the build quality, while not bad, is definitely not on par with the other options on the list. But that aside, the Rotor Riot is a pretty handy device, especially if your phone is your dedicated gaming platform.

Q & A

Take control of your games

These are our choices for the best game controllers for your iPhone. While any of these would be a good pick for your phone, our recommendation is the Gamevice Flex. Sleek and stylish, this handy device turns your phone into a portable machine that could rival the Switch itself, and with all the best iPhone games and Apple Arcade games available now, you're sure to get hours of fun from this excellent device.

The iPhone has proven itself to be a worthy gaming machine and offers gaming experiences on par with its console cousins. Considering you pair the DualSense and Xbox Controllers to your iPhone, what's not to love? Be sure to upgrade to the best iPhone you can so you can enjoy playing your games at the highest visual fidelity.

Gerald Lynch
Editor in Chief

Gerald Lynch is the Editor-in-Chief of iMore, keeping careful watch over the site's editorial output and commercial campaigns, ensuring iMore delivers the in-depth, accurate and timely Apple content its readership deservedly expects. You'll never see him without his iPad Pro, and he loves gaming sessions with his buddies via Apple Arcade on his iPhone 15 Pro, but don't expect him to play with you at home unless your Apple TV is hooked up to a 4K HDR screen and a 7.1 surround system. 

Living in London in the UK, Gerald was previously Editor of Gizmodo UK, and Executive Editor of TechRadar, and has covered international trade shows including Apple's WWDC, MWC, CES and IFA. If it has an acronym and an app, he's probably been there, on the front lines reporting on the latest tech innovations. Gerald is also a contributing tech pundit for BBC Radio and has written for various other publications, including T3 magazine, GamesRadar, Space.com, Real Homes, MacFormat, music bible DIY, Tech Digest, TopTenReviews, Mirror.co.uk, Brandish, Kotaku, Shiny Shiny and Lifehacker. Gerald is also the author of 'Get Technology: Upgrade Your Future', published by Aurum Press, and also holds a Guinness world record on Tetris. For real.