Backbone Releases PlayStation Edition Game Controller for iPhone - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Backbone Releases PlayStation Edition Game Controller for iPhone

Backbone today announced the release of a new PlayStation Edition of its popular game controller for the iPhone. There is also a new dedicated section inside the Backbone app for iOS with new releases and updates from PlayStation.

Backbone PlayStation Controller 1
The new controller was created in partnership with Sony and inspired by the design of the PS5's wireless DualSense controller, including transparent button faces. The controller is priced at $99.99 in the United States and is available to order starting today in a white color matching the PS5 console, in addition to a black option.

Backbone says the controller is compatible with all iPhones, with an adapter included in the box for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Users can simply snap an iPhone into the controller and begin playing PlayStation games via the PS Remote Play app, or games on the App Store, Apple Arcade, Xbox Remote Play, and more.

Backbone PlayStation Controller 2
The controller connects to and is charged by the iPhone via Lightning, and there is an additional Lightning connector for pass-through charging. The controller also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, a button for capturing screenshots and game clips, and a button to open the Backbone app. The controller can be collapsed/folded when not being used.

Customers who purchase the Backbone One PlayStation Edition controller can receive some perks, such as a free one-month subscription to Apple Arcade if they have not already subscribed to the service, along with three months of Discord Nitro for free and more.

iPhones have already supported PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers via Bluetooth since the release of iOS 14.5 last year.

Popular Stories

Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature 1

Gurman: iPhone Ultra Wows Early Testers, Except for Its Camera

Sunday August 23, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Ultra is winning over the few people who have had hands-on time with the device, though the camera setup may leave some users wanting, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman says people who have used the device – which is reportedly referred to internally as the iPhone Ultra – like how it fits in your...
iPhone 18 Pro Dark Cherry Feature

iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra: When Will Apple Event Be Announced?

Monday August 24, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
It is now late August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. Below, we take a look at when the event might be held this year. This September, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and an all-new foldable iPhone that will reportedly be named the iPhone Ultra. The regular iPhone 18, a lower-end iPhone 18e, and the iPhone Air 2 are not...
apple magic keyboard with glyphs 2026 refresh

Apple Quietly Refreshes Magic Keyboards

Tuesday August 25, 2026 7:22 am PDT by
Apple today quietly introduced updated Magic Keyboard models with revised U.S. English key labeling. On the new keyboards, the tab, caps lock, shift, return, and delete keycaps are labeled with glyphs rather than edge text. On the full-size models with a numeric keypad, the change goes further, with the home, page up, page down, end, clear, and enter keys also swapping their text labels for...

Top Rated Comments

techfreak23 Avatar
53 months ago
Inspired by the PS5 controller, but has the stick layout of the Xbox...?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
A bit pricey for a controller but oh well everything in this blog is pricey so what the hell…
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
if only we had emulators in the AppStore.. until then, I will just keep toting this:



Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheGhostWalker Avatar
53 months ago
Surprised the analog sticks aren't symmetrical. It's closer to an Xbox controller
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maclver Avatar
53 months ago
Too bad Remote Play sucks :( PS5 connected to Ethernet and Mac or iPad getting almost 700Mbs download but keep getting video stuttering.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
53 months ago
Nice idea but I have thrown too many controllers against the wall in frustration for me to ever consider this.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)