With iOS 13 finally here, we finally have proper controller support on iOS. This means you don’t need to go out of your way to buy a special controller just for iOS devices anymore and can use one from your favourite current home console. I’m still pretty shocked that iOS 13 supports the PS4 and Xbox One S controllers but here we are. With the release, loads of iOS gamers are probably wondering which controller to buy for iOS games. Each controller has its own advantages as well but before getting into those, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to the use case. There are a few apps on iOS that also will affect what controller you should buy.
What iOS 13 controller to buy just for iOS games
If you don’t own a console and just want to get the best controller for iOS games, the answer is the Xbox One S controller. It has great battery life and is much better built than the DualShock 4 controller. Most indie games that see mobile ports also exist on PC and all of them have Xbox One button prompts there. It makes things easier for you if you play games on both platforms as well but if you had to just buy a controller for iOS games and don’t own any console, the Xbox One S controller is the one to buy.
If you own a PS4 and want to use PS4 Remote Play
If you already own a PS4, you probably will look into PS4 Remote Play at some point. That will obviously work best with a PS4 controller. Games will likely be updated in the future on iOS to properly include PS4 button prompts as well and if you’re already used to it, get the DualShock 4 or use the same one you use on your PS4 or PS4 Pro with your iOS device.
Amazon Link: PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
If you want to use Steam Link
If you play games on Steam, you likely already have an Xbox One controller. If you want to buy a new one for iOS 13, you’re better off buying an Xbox One controller or using the same one. This will ensure the button prompts are the same for you on PC and iOS. Valve will likely update Steam Link in the near future to properly support both controllers but Xbox One controller is what you need if you already play games on PC since it has better compatibility on PC and works on iOS 13 as well.
If you want to prepare for Project xCloud
This is probably pretty far away still but you obviously will do better with the Xbox One S controller on iOS for this.
What about the Xbox One (not One S) or Xbox Elite controller?
The One S controller has native bluetooth support so it works on iOS 13 devices. The Xbox One (not One S) and original Xbox Elite controller will not work with iOS 13 as they lack bluetooth support natively and need an adapter on PC. The Xbox Elite controller V2 that releases later this year will work on iOS 13 since it has the same wireless technology as the One S and later controllers. Avoid buying the original Xbox One controller if you find it cheap since it will not work on iOS. The best way to be sure is seeing the Xbox One AND Windows 10 branding for a controller.
Which Xbox One S controller to buy for iOS 13
I know many people joke about the number of controller options available on Xbox One but it really is massive. The great thing about this is that you have multiple options for different colours and textures and can even design your own controller on the Xbox One Design Lab. The overall best controller to get in the Xbox One S family of controllers is the Xbox One Wireless Controller – Sport Blue Edition or Sport Red Edition. These have an extra rubberized grip as well that help a lot.
Amazon Link: Xbox Wireless Controller – Sport Blue Special Edition
Which PS4 controller to buy for iOS 13
The DualShock 4 options are much more limited. When it comes to the PS4 DualShock 4 controller, you want to make sure you buy a newer controller that has the lightbar on the top of the touchpad. This is the newer DualShock 4 or the DualShock 4 V2. In terms of colours, you have a few options but nothing compared to what is available on Xbox One.
Amazon Link: DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 – Magma Red
Should I buy an MFi Controller for iOS 13
The only situation in which this makes sense is if you want controllers that grip onto your device like the Gamevice. I cannot recommend getting the SteelSeries Nimbus in a post iOS 13 world. If you do decide to get an MFi Controller, make sure it has clickable sticks because games in Apple Arcade and on iOS in general will start supporting that soon.
What you need to know about PS4 and Xbox One controller battery life on iOS 13
The PS4 DualShock 4 controller has an internal battery that charges through a micro USB cable. If you don’t want to use this, you can get charging stands for it but you basically need to charge it and the battery life is pretty bad.
The Xbox One controller doesn’t have an internal battery and requires two AA batteries. This lasts multiple times longer than the DualShock 4 controller but it needs external batteries. You can use rechargeable batteries or get a play and charge kit from Amazon but you’re better off just buying AA batteries and replacing them when it loses charge because that ends up being much cheaper overall albeit more inconvenient.
It is going to be interesting seeing how soon many games get updated to add button prompts for the two most popular controllers out there. I have both platforms and will be using a dedicated Xbox One S controller for all non PS4 Remote Play things on iOS.
I prefer rechargeable with shorter life over AA.
XBO all the way. It has incredibly good battery life. I wonder tho why isn't the Switch Pro controller not on this list? Is it unsupported?
Would love a suggestion for a good Dual Shock 4 clamp attachment.
Requiring AA batteries is a dealbreaker for me; I strongly prefer built-in rechargeables.
Can anyone here explain what the problem with SteelSeries controllers is? The article didn’t say.
The SteelSeries Nimbus controller doesn't have clickable/pressable thumbsticks. When it comes to battery life it's far greater than the DualShock 4, though. It's supposed to last over 40 hours when fully charged compared to the DualShock 4 which just lasts up to 12 hours. I can't understand how they manage to downgrade the batterylife by so much since the older DualShock 3 would last over 20 hours when fully charged. I guess it's that touch pad on the DualShock 4?
It seems the Xbox One controller can last up to 30 hours with good batteries. Not bad. Having a charger and good rechargeable AA batteries sounds like a good thing then.
Yeah, I’m just not interested in rechargeable AA’s, at all.
I already have too many charging workflows (Lightning, Micro-USB, USB-C) and I’m REALLY not going to add another.
Sounds like I’ll be getting a SteelSeries for the kids. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I have a SteelSeries Nimubus myself and while it works well and has good battery life the missing thumb-stick buttons will likely be of concern when more and more games relying on those buttons come out for Apple's platforms. At least good to keep that in mind when deciding which controller to buy. :)
That’s fair. But the number of such games is basically zero at present, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There is an official rechargeable battery kit for the Xbone controller that makes it function as a built-in rechargeable with about 30 hours of life. Honestly, though, the battery life is so fantastic with AAs that I wouldn't bother. I've had my Xbone controller for over a year, and I've experienced far better than the estimated 40 hours per pair, probably closer to 60.
My PS4 controllers get about 4-5 hours of life, and most of my 3rd party pads I've been using for mobile get around that as well.
Cheaper to use AA batteries? What are you on? I’ve had my plug and play on my Xbox pad for 5 years at least (maybe more). I’d definitely spent way more than that if having to keep on buying AA batteries, and it would be better for the environment too.
Definitely better for the environment, but for the price of a rechargeable pack, you get get about 96 AAs on Amazon, which would give you about 1,920 hours of play time.
Any suggestions for a clamp for my XR and a Xbox One Wireless Controller Sport Blue Edition? Hopefully TA will write about this.
The PS4 controller has terrible battery life and durability. I had to buy an extra one just so I could have one charging while playing with the other. The R2 button on my first broke with extremely light use, and the back button on the dpad broke on the second after some moderate MK11 use, meaning both are completely useless now, other than as a remote control for my PC (the touchpad works great as a mouse trackpad from bed). Other than that, the controller is pretty good. The buttons and triggers all feel good, and the dpad is great for fighting games. The battery life and durability make it impossible to recommend, though.
Xbox One might be a useless console, but it has a fantastic controller. Extremely durable, battery life is insanely good, and it is really comfortable to hold (though slightly less so than the 360 pad). The dpad does really suck, though, and the L1/R1 buttons are cheap and feel like crap. L2/R2 feel amazing for shooters, but have too much travel for fighting games.
I love my Gamevice controllers. I have one for my iPhone and iPad and I greatly prefer the style of turning my phone or tablet into a switch type device than using a detached controller and using my iOS device like a mini TV. However gamevice really blew it by not having clickable thumbsticks. I’ve always wished they had that. I use them for playing my Xbox via streaming and it really sucks not being able to use that functionality.