How to Connect Xbox Series X Controller to iPad & iPhone

Using a game controller with an iPhone or iPad can make playing games feel much more like a traditional gaming console experience, and both iOS and iPadOS fully support modern controllers. The Xbox Series X controller connects easily over Bluetooth and works with many popular iPhone and iPad games, whether that’s popular classics like Fortnite or Call of Duty, or tons of Apple Arcade titles.

If you’re an iPad or iPhone gamer and you want to use your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S controller with your device, here’s how you can get that setup so you’re connected and ready to play.

While we’re emphasizing the Xbox Series X here, this works pretty much the exact same to pair an Xbox Series S controller to iPhone and iPad too. And though it’s a prior generation now, the Xbox One controller pairs with iOS and iPadOS too. Anyway, let’s get to it so you can start gaming with a controller.

How to Connect & Use Xbox Series X Controller with iPhone or iPad

Pairing the controller is quick and pretty straight forward, accomplished through Bluetooth settings in both iOS or iPadOS.

1. Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad, then go to “Bluetooth”, make sure Bluetooth is turned ON
2. Now place the Xbox Series X controller into Pairing Mode by pressing and holding the small Sync/Pairing button at the top of the controller for roughly 5 seconds until the Xbox button starts flashing
3. Back on the iPad or iPhone Settings app, look for “Xbox Wireless Controller” or similarly worded under the list of available devices, then tap on it to connect and pair the gaming controller

When the Xbox Series X controller has been successfully paired with the iPhone or iPad, the Xbox button will stay lit up and stop flashing.

Now it’s ready to use for gaming, so open a game that you know supports a controller, and have fun! Oh and by the way, if you didn’t know this, you can use a gaming controller to navigate iPad Home Screen and launch apps and games, which is a handy trick.

Using the Xbox Controller for Gaming on iPad and iPhone

Now that your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S controller is synced and paired with your iPhone or iPad, you’re ready to use it for gaming. The key thing to remember is that the apps or games you’re playing must have controller support, which many do. This includes popular titles like Fortnite, Minecraft, Call of Duty, and most Apple Arcade games.

The vast majority of compatible games will instantly recognize the controller now that it’s paired with your device, with no setup required. You can often go into an individual games settings to further configure a controller as you wish, however, so if you wish to remap buttons or adjust controller preferences, you’ll typically do that on a per-app basis for each individual game.

How to Disconnect or Unpair the Xbox Series X Controller from iOS / iPadOS

You can disconnect the Xbox Series X or Series S controller from iPhone or iPad temporarily or completely:

• Temporarily disconnect by turning off the controller, by holding down the Xbox button on the controller
• Or, remove the controller completely by going to Settings > Bluetooth > tapping (i) next to the connected controller, and choosing to disconnect and forget this device

If you remove the controller completely you’d need to re-sync and pair the controller again using the instructions further above, if you want to use the same controller to play games on your iPhone or ipad again.

There’s not much reason to temporarily disconnect a controller, and if you just let the controller remain idle and unused it will turn itself off automatically anyway.

Troubleshooting Connection & Pairing Issues with Xbox Series Controllers and iPad & iPhone

If the controller won’t connect or disconnects unexpectedly at random, try these steps:

• Make sure the controller has sufficient battery power, and replace batteries if needed. This is the number one reason that controllers will spontaneously disconnect or have pairing and connection issues
• Toggle Bluetooth OFF and ON again in Settings > Bluetooth
• Restart the iPhone or iPad
• Remove and re-sync the controller after restarting if there continues to be connection issues
• Be aware of potential interference between the controller and the iPad or iPhone, especially if you’re playing at a distance on something beaming to a TV or connected via HDMI to a larger display
• If the controller does not work in some games, check the game developers website to make sure the game itself supports controllers. Some popular games do not actually support controllers, like PUBG

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Pairing an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S controller to an iPad or iPhone can make a big difference in gaming on these devices. Sure touch controls work fine for many users, but a physical controller is superior for many advanced gamers and enthusiasts, as it offers more precision and a familiar feel. Using a game controller like this also gives you more of a console gaming experience, which is nice, especially on iPad with its larger display.

Obviously we’re focused on Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S controllers in this article, but you can also pair an Xbox One controller, a Playstation 5 controller, and a Playstation 4 controller, as well as various other brand third party Bluetooth controllers, to an iPhone or iPad (or a Mac too, but that’s another topic).

Do you use a gaming controller with iPad or iPhone? What do you think of the experience? Does it work with your favorite games? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.