How to Connect a PS4 Controller to iPhone or iPad

Want to use a Playstation 4 controller with iPhone or iPad for gaming? You can enjoy gaming on your mobile device more than ever by using a PS4 controller with iOS or iPadOS, and it’s quite easy to setup and get going. This can be a huge deal for gamers who prefer to use physical controls over on-screen ones and after years of hoping and wishing to use the much-loved PS4 controllers with iPhone and iPad, the feature is finally here.

Apple has long allowed gamers to use some Bluetooth controllers to play games but for many users none of them even come close to the feel of a PS4 controller. Especially if you’re someone who grew up using PlayStation controllers over the years, there’s something about using a controller that you’re comfortable with that can’t quite be beaten.

But of course, in order to use your PS4 controller with iPhone or iPad you’ll need to get it all set up, and that’s what we’re going to walk through setting up.

How to Connect Playstation 4 Controller to iPhone or iPad

Start with your PS4 controller turned off, and your iPad or iPhone nearby with Bluetooth.

1. Press and hold the PS and Share buttons at the same time until the light bar starts to flash.
2. Open the Settings app on your iPad and tap “Bluetooth.”
3. Find the name of your PS4 controller beneath “Other Devices” and tap it to complete the pairing process.

You can now use your PS4 controller to play some of the very best games on the App Store, right on your iPad or iPhone.

Using your controller is as simple as you’d hope and expect. Most games automatically detect that you have a controller paired and just work perfectly, including the popular online games like Fortnite, PUBG, Call of Duty, and others too.

Get your game on with a controller and iPad, it’s an easy way to turn your iPad into a more suitable gaming console and it’s a lot of fun.

Other games will show you the controls on-screen. Yet more, like Fortnite, let you customize which buttons are responsible for in-game actions, too.

If you don’t have a spare PS4 controller but this appeals to you, you can always buy one on Amazon or elsewhere and dedicate it for use with the iPhone or iPad.

How to Disconnect PS4 Controller from iPad & iPhone

If you want to use your PS4 controller with a different device, including an actual PS4, you’ll need to disconnect it from your iPad.

To do that open the Settings app and tap “Bluetooth.” Now tap the “i” button beside the controller and tap ‘Forget This Device.”

If you’re someone who enjoys iPhone and iPad gaming you’re going to love using a PS4 controller to play, so fire up your favorite games and give them a go. Whether that’s something from the Apple Arcade library, or any of the super popular mobile games like PUBG, Fortnite, COD Mobile, or whatever else you’re into. And if you have a PS4 laying around and figure that’d be better for gaming on iPhone or Ipad than tapping on the touch screen, you’ll certainly want to give this a try.

You will need an iPhone or iPad with iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 or later to have this feature available to you. Th capability was first announced by Apple at the unveiling of iOS 13 and iPadOS 13, and it’s one of the features that answered so many gamers prayers. Now that the devices have the ability to use PS4 controllers with the iPad and iPhone games, it opens up gaming opportunities that may not have been there, or fully appreciated before. You can also connect an Xbox One controller to iPhone or iPad too, and you can connect a mouse to iPad as well, though mouse gaming on iPad is not the type of experience you might expect from a PC or Mac when gaming with a mouse.

And while this applies to iOS and iPadOS, Mac users can also get in on the Playstation 4 controller action by connecting the PS4 controller to Mac, and Mac can also use PS3 controllers too, which is an option that iPhone and iPad does not have.

Do you use a game controller with your iPhone or iPad? Let us know what you think!