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How to Connect a Controller to Your Phone
Edited 2 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
ControllerConnectivitySmartphoneGamingBluetoothAndroidiPhoneWirelessDevice SetupEntertainment
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Playing games on your phone is a great experience that can be made even better with a game controller. Many gamers find touchscreen controls somewhat limiting, and a controller can provide a more precise and comfortable gaming experience. This guide will explain in detail how to connect different types of controllers to your phone, including both Android and iOS devices. It's broken down into clear steps, which should help make the process as easy as possible.
Types of controllers
There are primarily two types of controllers you'll want to connect to your phone:
- Bluetooth Controller
- Wired Controller
Bluetooth Controller
Bluetooth controllers are the most common type and work wirelessly. Examples include PlayStation, Xbox, and many third-party controllers like 8Bitdo.
Wired Controller
These controllers connect to your phone via a cable. Although they are limited in mobility due to the wire, they have the advantage of having no input delay. Examples include standard USB controllers (although you may need an adapter to connect them to your phone).
Connecting a Bluetooth Controller to an Android Phone
Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on your phone
First, make sure your phone's Bluetooth is turned on. You can do this by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Go to Connections or Connected devices (the exact wording may vary depending on your phone's manufacturer).
- Toggle the Bluetooth switch to turn it on.
Step 2: Put your controller in pairing mode
The next step is to put your Bluetooth controller into pairing mode. How to do this varies depending on the controller:
- DualShock 4 (PS4 controller): Press and hold the Share button and the PS button at the same time until the light bar starts flashing.
- Xbox Wireless Controller: Press and hold the pairing button (located on the top of the controller) until the Xbox logo starts flashing.
- 8Bitdo controller: Press and hold the Start button until the LED starts flashing rapidly.
Step 3: Pair the controller with your phone
When the controller is in pairing mode, pair it with your phone:
- Go back to the Bluetooth settings on your phone.
- Wait until your controller's name appears in the list of available devices.
- Tap the controller's name to begin the pairing process.
- If prompted for a passcode, enter 0000.
Your controller should now be connected to your phone. You can test this by opening a game that supports the controller and seeing if the inputs are being recognized.
Connecting a Bluetooth Controller to iPhone
Step 1: Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone
As with Android phones, the first step is to turn on your iPhone's Bluetooth:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Toggle the Bluetooth switch to turn it on.
Step 2: Put your controller in pairing mode
The process for putting your controller into pairing mode is the same as for Android:
- DualShock 4 (PS4 controller): Press and hold the Share button and the PS button at the same time until the light bar starts flashing.
- Xbox Wireless Controller: Press and hold the pairing button (located on the top of the controller) until the Xbox logo starts flashing.
- 8Bitdo controller: Press and hold the Start button until the LED starts flashing rapidly.
Step 3: Pair the controller with your iPhone
Next, pair the controller with your iPhone:
- On your iPhone, go back to Bluetooth Settings.
- Wait until your controller's name appears in the list of available devices.
- Tap the controller's name to begin the pairing process.
- If prompted for a passcode, enter 0000.
Your controller should now be connected to your iPhone. You can test it by opening a game that supports the controller and checking the functionality.
Connecting a Wired Controller to an Android Phone
Step 1: Check compatibility
First, make sure your wired controller is compatible with Android devices. Most USB controllers that work with PCs should also work with Android phones.
Step 2: Get an OTG Adapter
Many Android phones don't have a full-size USB port, which is standard for most controllers. You'll probably need an OTG (On-The-Go) adapter that allows you to connect a USB device to the micro-USB or USB-C port on your phone.
Step 3: Connect the controller via OTG adapter
Once you have an OTG adapter:
- Plug the OTG adapter into your phone's charging port.
- Connect your controller's USB cable to the other end of the OTG adapter.
Most Android devices should recognize the controller immediately. You can test this by opening a game that supports the controller.
Connecting a wired controller to iPhone
Step 1: Check compatibility
Make sure your wired controller is compatible with the iOS device. Some controllers are specifically designed to work with the iPhone.
Step 2: Get a Lightning to USB Adapter
iPhones have a Lightning port, which is different from the standard USB port used by most wired controllers. You'll need a Lightning to USB adapter to connect the controller.
Step 3: Connect the controller via Lightning to USB adapter
Once you have a Lightning to USB adapter:
- Plug the Lightning to USB Adapter into your iPhone's Lightning port.
- Connect your controller's USB cable to the other end of the adapter.
Your iPhone will immediately recognize the controller. You can test this by opening a game that supports the controller.
Common problems and troubleshooting
Controller is not pairing
If your Bluetooth controller isn’t pairing with your phone, try the following steps:
- Make sure the controller is fully charged.
- Make sure you have correctly placed the controller in pairing mode.
- Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and then turn it on again.
- Restart your phone and controller.
Controller not recognized
If your wired controller isn’t recognized by your phone:
- Make sure you are using the correct OTG or Lightning to USB adapter.
- Check that the cables are securely connected.
- If possible, try another USB port or cable.
Controller buttons not working in games
If the controller buttons aren’t responding in games:
- Make sure the game supports controllers. Not all mobile games do.
- Check the in-game settings to see if controller support needs to be enabled.
- Try using another game to verify that the controller is working properly.
Conclusion
Connecting a controller to your phone can greatly improve your mobile gaming experience. Whether you're using a Bluetooth or wired controller, the steps above will help you set everything up correctly. By following the instructions and troubleshooting common issues, you can enjoy a smoother and more responsive gaming session on your phone.
We hope this detailed guide will be helpful in connecting your controller. Happy gaming!
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