iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia Introduce Support for Wired Xbox Controllers

Apple's latest operating system updates iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia bring a notable enhancement for gamers: official support for wired Xbox controllers.

apple game controller graphic
Previously, Apple devices supported wireless Xbox and PlayStation controllers via Bluetooth, but when it came to wired connections, only PlayStation controllers were compatible. This update marks a step forward in broadening gaming accessory support across Apple’s ecosystem.

As noted by Apple engineer (and one of the key contributors to the original Xbox) Nat Brown back in June, Xbox uses a custom USB protocol for its wired controllers, and with its latest operating system updates, Apple now directly supports the protocol to allow for native wired Xbox controller connections.

Connecting to Apple Devices with Lightning Ports

If you're using an iOS device with a Lightning port—such as older iPhones or iPads—you'll need a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter to connect your wired Xbox controller. This requirement mirrors the setup process for wired PlayStation controllers on these devices. The adapter facilitates the necessary USB connection, ensuring your controller communicates effectively with your device.

Connecting to Apple Devices with USB-C Ports

Simply plug the controller in using a USB-C to USB-C cable to establish the wired connection.
xbox controller wired mac 1

What to Expect When Connecting

Upon connecting your wired Xbox controller:

  • On iOS 18 and iPadOS 18: The wired Xbox controller does not appear in the Bluetooth settings since it's connected via USB, not Bluetooth.
  • On macOS 15 Sequoia: Upon initial connection, macOS presents an accessory permissions dialog asking the user: "Do you want to connect Microsoft Controller to this Mac?" The controller appears as "Controller" in the Game Controller settings pane, displaying the Xbox logo next to it. However, the "Identify" feature doesn't function with the wired Xbox controller—the controller doesn't vibrate when prompted.

Despite the minor hiccup with the "Identify" feature on macOS, the controller functions as expected within games and applications that support game controllers.

xbox controller wired mac 2
Support for wired Xbox controllers on Apple's platforms is a welcome addition for gamers who prefer the reliability and low-latency of a wired connection or own wired-only Xbox controllers. By accommodating a wider range of controllers, Apple's move aligns with the growing trend of cross-platform gaming and the increasing popularity of game streaming services, where controller support is critical for an optimal experience.

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Top Rated Comments

MrGimper Avatar
10 months ago
This is huge for me as I play GeForce Now using an Xbox elite controller. It’s paired to my Xbox and my MacBook, so can now use with iPad via cable too.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
northernmunky Avatar
10 months ago
Being Apple I'm surprised they didn't use the red ring of death to represent the Xbox controller icon.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M3Stang Avatar
10 months ago

How is gaming with Crossover? I bought a lifetime sub to it. Mainly because I was going to get a Mac at the time but never did and I was happy to support Codeweavers regardless.
If you look past short coming with anti-cheat, which isn't really their fault anyway, it's pretty awesome and works with a lot of games. This was made even better once GPTK came out, and even better now with GPTK2 allowing AVX games to run.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
10 months ago
Great to see that wired controllers are now supported.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kfury77 Avatar
10 months ago
amazing news. Surprised this wasn't reported sooner! 10 years back I used to use a workaround solution (https://github.com/360Controller/360Controller#xbox-controller-driver-for-macos) to get my wired Xbox 360 controller working on my 2011 27" iMac and used subsequent updates but it became less reliable with each macOS update and eventually stopped working altogether. Happy to see it officially supported. Just tested it with Steam :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NickTuesday Avatar
10 months ago

If you look past short coming with anti-cheat, which isn't really their fault anyway, it's pretty awesome and works with a lot of games. This was made even better once GPTK came out, and even better now with GPTK2 allowing AVX games to run.
Proton has the same anti-cheat problems. Thanks for your response, it seems Crossover is making good progress.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)