Support for iOS Is Finally Coming to Xbox Series X & S Wireless Controllers

However, we still don’t know how long it will take.

The Xbox Series X and Series S wireless controllers claimed to be compatible with iOS upon purchase, which would have been great for those wanting to use the controller to play games from their iPad.

However—after bringing the new console and controller home—many customers found that while Microsoft claims compatibility, there isn’t actually any support yet.

Essentially, you couldn’t use your new Xbox Series X controller with your iPhone or iPad like Microsoft advertised. Instead, you had to go back to the dark ages and use your Xbox One controller, because that has Bluetooth capability.

That was until recently, when Apple quietly announced that they are working with Microsoft to bring compatibility to the new controller in an update.

In a support blog post, Apple stated: “Microsoft and Apple are working together to bring compatibility for the Xbox Series X controller to customers in a future update".

At the moment, it is unclear how long this new update will take but there are signs that it could be coming with iOS 14.3 which is currently in beta.

According to an Apple Insider report, there is a possibility that more controller support may be on the cards because there is support coming for the PS5’s DualSense controller.

“This update also appears to include behind-the-scenes support for the new Playstation 5 DualSense controller, but at the moment this functionality does not work,” Apple Insider said.

“Both wired and wireless connections to the DualSense controller are non-functional as of this first beta. It will likely be included in a future beta, if not by the final release.”

This isn’t the first time that Apple and Microsoft have worked together. Previously, the two companies came together to add support to the Xbox Elite 2 controller and the Xbox Adaptive Controller to iOS earlier this year.

While the release date for the new update is still unclear, you can use some older controllers on iOS, even if you have them tucked away in a drawer somewhere.

The wireless controllers that are supported include: