Backbone One – a Game Controller for Your iPhone

Apple’s iOS platform has a ton of great games. You might not consider picking the iPhone up as a serious gaming device, simply because the touchscreen isn’t a very tactile way to play mobile games. The Backbone One turns your iPhone into a real gaming platform, allowing you to play from Apple’s vast Arcade library as well as remote playing your Xbox or PlayStation console.

Why do I need this?

Attaching the Backbone One is as simple as sliding the controller ends to the side, lining up your iPhone’s lightning port with the connector and then sliding the controller back in place.

It instantly makes your iPhone look like a Switch as the controller layout is identical to Nintendo’s popular console.

There’s a dedicated Backbone app you can pair and launch with the controller. It allows you to record gameplay footage as well as see what games your friends are playing (and immediately join them).

The device contains a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack (yay, no Apple dongles!) as well as a port for passthrough-charging so that you don’t have to take off the Backbone just to charge your phone.

Which games can I play with backbone

There are already over a thousand iOS games that support controllers like the Backbone. You can find some of your favorite iOS titles such as Call of Duty: Mobile, Oceanhorn 2, Brawlhalla, Minecraft and more. Check out the full overview on the Backbone website.

Next to the native iOS games, the Backbone supports various other gaming platforms that are playable on your phone. You can use it with PS Remote Play, Xbox Game Pass and even Stadia.

Features

• Collapsible and compact design
• Lowest latency connection
• Play games that support controllers
• Capture clips and screenshots
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Pass-through charging

Where can I buy the Backbone One?

The Backbone One can be ordered on its official website or Amazon via the links below. Note that it’s only available for iPhone at this moment. You’ll receive 3 Months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate when you’re a new member with your Backbone One purchase (at the time of writing)

Get a Backbone One from the offical website

A cheaper alternative (including Android support)

With the Backbone One being almost a hundred bucks, we can understand if it’s not a fit for your budget.

There are cheaper alternatives available on Amazon. If you want to have one that’s close to the Backbone One’s Nintendo Switch design (but not as fancy), check out the GameSir X2, which also fits Android phones next to your iPhone.