An upcoming update to Apple’s iPhone and iPad will be adding support for both the PlayStation 5 DualSense and the Xbox Series X/S controller. Support for both Sony and Microsoft’s latest console gaming controllers on other platforms has slowly been increasing since the companies launched their new consoles last November. Earlier this month, Valve expanded support for the Xbox Series X/S controller on Steam, adding compatibility for the new gamepad’s Share button and allowing more controllers to be connected at the same time.
Using controllers with either the iPhone or iPad makes playing certain titles such as racing or action games much easier and it’s become quite common on mobile platforms in general. It was previously rumored that Apple is also working on releasing its own gamepad but no official announcements have been made since it was reported in the middle of last year. Releasing an Apple controller could mean easier or faster compatibility for games on the company’s devices but since only rumors have come out so far, adding support for more third-party controllers is the next best thing.
Apple just released its new iOS and iPadOS 14.5 update to beta testers and one of the new features it introduces is support for both the PS5 DualSense and the Xbox Series X/S controllers. The added support will mean that games on both the iPhone and iPad that support gamepads, from the company’s own Apple Arcade library or other iOS games, will be compatible with either the PS5 DualSense or Xbox Series X/S gamepad. It’s not yet clear which features of both controllers will be supported with the new update, such as the DualSense’s adaptive triggers.
Adding support for the Xbox Series X/S’s controller could also mean that owners of Microsoft’s latest console will be able to play its games through their iPhone or iPad using the new controller, rather than having to use an older Xbox One gamepad. When the 14.5 update for iOS and iPadOS is officially released, those with an iPhone or iPad, an Xbox Series X/S, as well as an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription could potentially use the new console’s controller to play games via Remote Play.
Apple adding support for both the PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controller on the iPad and iPhone is pretty much expected and it’s good to see that it’s coming sooner rather than later. Hopefully, support for the two controllers will go beyond basic functionality and allow the unique features of both controllers to be used to their fullest.
