Apple Begins Selling New Accessories, Including Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller for iPhone and iPad - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Begins Selling New Accessories, Including Updated Rotor Riot Game Controller for iPhone and iPad

by

Apple today began selling an updated version of the Rotor Riot game controller with newly added "Home" and "Options" buttons. The controller, designed for use with the iPhone and iPad, is priced at $49.99 on Apple's online store and delivers in one to two days.

2021 rotor riot game controller iphone
Rotor Riot is advertised as the only Lightning-connected, full-sized game controller available today. The direct Lightning connection ensures low latency and eliminates the need to wirelessly pair the controller to an iPhone or iPad, and the controller also lacks a battery since it is powered directly by the device it is connected to. The controller's built-in Lightning connector allows for pass-through charging of the iPhone or iPad during usage.

The controller continues to come with an optional "Zero Gravity device holder" in the box for use with the iPhone 6 and newer. A full list of devices compatible with the controller is available on Apple's online store.

The controller otherwise looks similar to the previous version, with analog left and right joysticks, digital A/B/X/Y buttons, digital L1 and R1 bumpers, analog L2 and R2 triggers, digital L3 and R3 clickable thumb-sticks, and a digital d-pad.

Other items added to Apple's online store this week include Mophie's portable MagSafe stand for iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models, new AirTag key rings from OtterBox and Incase, a 128GB flash storage stick from SanDisk with both USB-C and Lightning connectors, an Incase sleeve for the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro, and more.

Popular Stories

M5 Vision Pro Thumb 2

Apple Has Given Up on the Vision Pro After M5 Refresh Flop

Wednesday April 29, 2026 11:31 am PDT by
Apple has all but given up on the Vision Pro after the M5 model failed to revitalize interest in the device, MacRumors has learned. Apple updated the Vision Pro with a faster M5 chip and a more comfortable band in October 2025, but there were no other hardware changes, and consumers still weren't interested. The Vision Pro has been criticized for its high price tag and its uncomfortable...
Read Full Article • 516 comments
app store monthly sub commitment

Apple Introduces App Store Monthly Subscriptions With 12-Month Commitment

Monday April 27, 2026 12:52 pm PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of a new subscription option for App Store developers: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. The new option allows developers to offer subscribers discounted pricing typically associated with an annual subscription but paid on a monthly basis to keep payments more affordable. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable...
Read Full Article • 145 comments
Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro to Launch in September With These 10 New Features

Tuesday April 28, 2026 9:35 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Read Full Article

Top Rated Comments

F
fbr$
58 months ago

The direct Lightning connection ensures low latency and eliminates the need to wirelessly pair the controller to an iPhone or iPad, and the controller also lacks a battery since it is powered directly by the device it is connected to.
My DualShock 4 works via USB-C cable on both my iPad Pro and MacBook Pro. It also has an internal battery and works via Bluetooth on any device, including my iPhone.

I don't see any advantage in a controller who only works via Lightning cable.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
Neepman
58 months ago
I really dont get the lightning port / cable hatred. Its a billion times more robust and less subject to wear than USB-c. I would rather have the cable break that the internal tongue of the USB-c port. A lot of people are going to be in for a rude awakening a few years into their USB-c power ported devices.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenomorph Avatar
Xenomorph
58 months ago
Lightning port. Oof.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
58 months ago
$49.99 not a bad price.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dino F Avatar
Dino F
58 months ago

For anyone who is serious about an iPhone game controller, take a look at the Backbone One. Reviews from various tech sites are great and seems to be the one to get/beat.
Whist the Backbone is an awesome controller, it has two massive flaws - its not compatible with iPhone 13 (due to its square design) and its not compatible with an iPhone in a case.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
Pro Apple Silicon
58 months ago

Lightning port. Oof.
You know...Phil Schiller did say that Lightning would be for the next 10 years. That was in 2012. So maybe we're indeed waiting until 2022.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments