Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone – Turn Your iPhone into a Handheld Gaming Console – Play Xbox, Playstation, COD Mobile, Apple Arcade & More [1 Month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Included]
A Mind-Blowing New Gaming Experience for iPhone
Next-level gaming has never been more magical and effortless. Just connect the Backbone to your iPhone, press the Backbone Button to open the app, and instantly start playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile anywhere, in seconds.
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Play AnywhereCordless, chargeless, and easy to carry. Backbone allows you to take gaming with you anywhere and everywhere, with all your games consolidated into one amazingly portable world. | Play AnyonePart of what makes gaming fun is the competition. Backbone gives you console-quality controls that will enable you to compete with anyone on your iPhone. | Easy BraggingShare your stats with an easy screenshot or stream in just one tap. Record, edit, and share straight from Backbone with no extra hardware or software required. |
Console Quality Controls
Designed in partnership with the team behind the Xbox 360 controller, the Backbone features tactile buttons, responsive triggers, and clickable thumbsticks. The controller’s rounded edges are designed to naturally fit in the hand for the most comfortable gaming experience.
Console Quality Controls
Lowest Latency Connection
Pass-Through Charging + 3.5mm Headset Jack
Works With Any iPhone
Play Any iOS Games with Controller Support
Choose from hundreds of games like Call of Duty, Minecraft, Asphalt 9: Legends, and more. Backbone works with any game that supports game controllers.
Backbone App
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All Your Games In One PlaceThe Backbone app is an all-in-one launcher that collates all your phone’s games and platforms into one hub, even making recommendations about what to play. | Record, Edit, and ShareThe Backbone app assists you in visualizing your most action-packed moments automatically, allowing you to show off your best moments and highlights with ease. | Connect with FriendsGet instantly notified when friends are online and create/join parties to voice chat while you play together. |
Play Your Favourite Gaming Platform
Turn your iPhone into a handheld gaming console when you pair the iPhone and Backbone with your preferred gaming service.
| Dimensions: | 3.25 x 17.63 x 9.4 cm; 138 Grams |
| Model: | BB-01-B-E |
| Origin: | China |
Perfect for portable gaming and a great item to use with Xbox GamePass. Fits my iPhone 13 Pro Max very well with the included adapter which is a nice touch. 10/10
Ce qui est dommage c est que si on a une coque on est oblig de l enlever pour pourvoir mettre son iphone dans la manette
We purchased this for my dad who travels a lot for work but enjoys gaming with my siblings. Compact but super convenient!! Definitely a must for any game
L’app contiene le raccolte di tutti i giochi, permette di creare party e scambiare messaggi con i vostri amici (che hanno Backbone), potete streammare su Twitch, catturare foto/video di alta qualit.
Con il mio iPhone 14 Pro Max si comporta bene, non consuma troppa batteria, solo che dopo ore potrebbe scaldarsi leggermente la parte posteriore, per il resto perfetto e super fluido.
Importante: Per giocare ai giochi PlayStation o i giochi da Steam dovete avere comunque una console o un pc.
I like it, it’s good to play the games I like to play, some games it can play don’t work well with it but nothing is without fault. Only down side is the joystick are similar to switch sticks and not Xbox or PS sticks that they are selling it for. You have to get use to them
Came super fast and very compatable with the iPhone haven’t tried it with the other box case
It’s a good controller and very easy to use, just not easy to remove a large phone nor does it allow for a case. These are slightly minor issues, except for the removal is a bit tricky and could possibly damage the unit or even the phone. The lightning jack is just really not easy to remove phone from the unit and possibly a redesigned swivel/hinged adapter would be more advantageous.
If you like using your phone for gaming. You need this.
This item is over priced and beware, there is a yearly subscription fee. Buttons occasionally stick.
This does work with the iPhone 14 Pro Max just fine. It’s sturdy enough. So long as you don’t shake the controller with the iPhone in it, you should be okay.
I do hope an adapter will come out that I can purchase separately specifically for the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The only reason the iPhone 14 Pro Max isn’t a flush fit is due to the 3 cameras that stick out from the iPhone on the back.
Took off 1 star due to inability to have the iPhone 14 Pro Max in a 100% secure/flush fit to this controller.
Bought this because I play COD mobile on my phone but now when I hook it to my phone it glitches and I just got it in April. I was going to get my 2 boys one but now I don’t know, don’t want their phones messing up.
Very happy with this product. So far it has exceeded my expectations and I have been able to use xbox remote and xbox cloud gaming away from my xbox. All the other features and options are just bonus! Surprised this isn’t an apple product with how good the build quality was out of the box.
I was skeptical that this would work and be worth it but after getting it and trying it out I’m sold. I love the idea of gaming on the go and this provides the perfect way. The app to use it is a little cumbersome and there’s only so many free options on there. The price for a subscription is steep in combination with the hardware. But I’m enjoying it!
I wanted to give this phone four stars but I decided to give it five because it is that good. It would be great if a newer version would allow extra space for covers and camera lenses.
It’s an absolute must buy if you’re looking to seriously play mobile games. Doesn’t matter if it’s CoD Mobile, Apex Mobile or Xbox cloud gaming. The controller does it all, and does it well. Be aware though – you CANNOT fit a phone WITH A CASE into the bracket. So gotta take the case off first.
Got the iPhone 14 last month so had to use the small rubber adapter that came with the controller which worked good, but now I keep seeing “controller disconnected” then I see controller connected happening multiple times while playing.
The solution was to ditch the little rubber adapter, and then the backbone stops glitching on the connectionbut I have to hold the controller very gently as the spring tension will not stop it from sliding under the iPhone
The better solution is to redesign the backbone to work with the the iPhone 13/14 without using the semi-soft adapteror redesign this adapter so it is a harder plastic like the controller as I’m guessing the adapter softness is affecting the stability of the backbone to the iPhone.
Going to try another similar controller to see if has similar problems.
I play DI on the iPhone so the backbone takes a lot of useit would be perfect if the adapter didn’t have the disconnect problems.
Owned for 6 months now.
I purchased this mainly because i canceled the Steam Deck. To be honest this is NOT a steam deck. It works very well with IOS arcade and other IOS Games that support a controller. It ok on my home network playing Game Pass games, not that great with Steam Link. Outside the home has been spotty for me, works great at times, but at other times not so much. Overall though I like this little device, but I think at 99 bucks its overpriced and add to that the Yearly cost if you want to use the backbone app… then its way overpriced. Speaking of the backbone app its very polished and does make using this device so much smoother and “Consol” like, but it’s worth noting you can use this without the app, but you lose some of the ease of use. I have decided to keep it despite it being overpriced by I would say 50 bucks. (In MY Opinion)
I imagine those that connect remotely would enjoy even more, although make sure you read reviews. (As we’re not gamers we’re not concerned with buttons perfectly matching up to a particular system.)
Suggestions aside the product is absolutely the best without any questions. The input lag is better than what people here can say for it. It’s not almost non existent. It does not exist. This controller has brought me through hours of gameplay when I’m away from home and still find myself using it at home as well. Plus the app they use to support it as well as like a social hub for the games it supports. Wish they had a lot more supported games but the ones they got are good.
I’m gonna start with the negatives first but bare with me bc the story ends well, hence the 4* overall. So it doesn’t hold the best at first. I did get used to that. The bumpers and triggers also feel a bit awkward if you’re used to console type controllers which this is supposed to mimic ideally. That’s also something you can adjust to. The quality of materials isn’t as nice as I’d like for a $100 product either, which is one thing I deducted a star for, but the software it comes with and gaming experience make up for it. I primarily bought this for COD Mobile to play with my kids but have also gotten into Diablo Immortal which is a great game I can play with my son who has CP, so he has limited mobility. It’s a very accessibly touch game for him without the backbone while I enjoy it with a combination of the backbone and a bit of touch. I haven’t tried Halo Infinite yet but I look forward to it. Good luck!
But you want to know more about the controller. I’ll be honest it kinda looks like a cheap plastic, but it’s not. It’s pretty durable. Though when you seat the iPhone in the controller it wiggles a little bit and it’s not a completely snug fit. The buttons are also a little a bit too clicky for my taste. You also can’t use a case with this controller which is a real bummer as every time I use it I have to take my case off. It would be nice if on the next iteration they made it slightly larger to accommodate cases, at the very least slim cases or design a case that also fits the controller.
I put a star besides the a struck when talking about keybindings because it doesn’t appear that your can change the key binds for the backbone button or the share button. For some streaming services like PSnow, Xbox Gamepass, and Steamlink there is not “home/guide” button to press and you have to use the onscreen controller to access those buttons. It would be nice if either the backbone or screenshare button could be rebinded to add that functionality if possible. Other than that it’s a good mobile controller.
The Backbone app helps get you going by showing you which gaming services are going to work with this, which is all of them. But it shows you controller supported games that will just work out of the box. I’ll admit that I don’t have an XBox or PlayStation newer than a 3, otherwise I’d be able to use those services to play even more games. I do use the Steam Link feature quite a bit, and then you’re running around in Fall Guys or Vampire Survivors or Cult of the Lamb right on your phone.
It also includes one month of GamePass Ultimate, which means Sea of Thieves on a phone.
I will say that I bought the PlayStation version of this first and returned it to swap with this standard black version because not all games support the PS buttons and they’ll show ABXY and then X is where Square should be, and my brain can’t do that kind of mental gymnastics.
I’d also like to be overly verbose expressing the extensive list of content you can play on here. My favorites right now are: Forager, Dadish 3, Minecraft, FEZ, Jetpack Joyride 2, and Stardew Valley.
I cannot recommend this enough. If you or the person you’re thinking of getting this for enjoys games AT ALL, this is an excellent purchase.
It works, but it could be better.
Fantastic product and the app that comes with it is great. Acts as a hub for all controller games so it feels like you’re actually playing on a console.
Really sturdy and well built controller.
COD is great with this controller.
Contenuto confezione:
All’interno della confezione troviamo:
– Backbone One
– Guida introduttiva
– Scheda di sicurezza
Recensione:
Questo dispositivo si comporta molto bene ed abbastanza intuitivo da utilizzare. Nonostante la paura di romperlo durante l’inserimento dell’iPhone, risulta solido e facile da inserire. compatibile con tutti i dispositivi iOS, e in pi con i dispositivi pi grandi, tipo gli iPhone pro e pro max, ha a disposizione un componente aggiuntivo da inserire per poter rendere utilizzabile il device anche da questi dispositivi altrimenti non utilizzabili. Il suo peso varia con circa 140gr, con il cellulare arriviamo tipo a circa a 300/ 350gr.
Collegato la prima volta viene riconosciuto subito dallo smartphone facendo aprire subito l’app store per scaricare l’applicazione proprietaria del backbone, in modo da poter utilizzare il controller con le impostazioni suggerite da loro e come poterlo utilizzare a pieno.
Ho utilizzato questo prodotto con applicazioni native su iOS e attraverso servizi di cloud. A discapitato di altri dispositivi che utilizzano il collegamento bluetooth, questo utilizzando la porta Lightning risultato rapito e senza un input lag che penalizza il gioco rendendolo fluido e godibile. Presenta due porte: una presa jack e un’altra con la porta Lightning per poter mettere il dispositivo sotto carica.
Ho messo sotto sforzo il dispositivo ed stato sempre una garanzia. Funziona e ti lascia giocare tranquillamente in locale e se utilizzato attraverso la rete internet, a patto di avere una connessione stabile, ti regala ottime sessioni di gioco in mobilit dove si vuole, soprattutto se si accoppia al controller un servizio cloud.
Se cercate un dispositivo che faccia tutto questo da quanto descritto, b questo, nonostante il prezzo il prodotto che fa per voi!
My man child son loves This. He uses it all the time and thinks it’s amazing.
Great handheld device that connects to iPhone to access PlayStation, Xbox, Steam accounts on the go.
Saw this on YouTube and was immediately drawn to it because of the ability to play games from my Xbox. Stunning bit of kit well made and easy to use with the Backbone App
Bought to use with i phone 13 pro max , i have no negatives all positive feedback bought to take away on holidays in greece no issues worked well
Very happy and would recommend to any game
Love this product as it fits my iPhone perfectly and lets me play games easily.
Only downside is not all games are supported
This is a great piece of tech. I absolutely love mine. Feels very premium and responds well. Be aware though – the app is free for one year but costs around 50 per year after. Please know this is OPTIONAL and the controller will still physically work without the app as if it were a standard wireless connected xbox controller.
Note – I use this with both xbox cloud gaming as well as with Shadow PC
Bought it almost a year, the left joystick suddenly lost its function. Contact the manufacturer and they respond almost immediately, issue return and send me a new one soon as they receive the faulty one. The total procedure only takes 3 working days, really fast, very impressive.
I’ve been playing my PS5 using this and it’s been fantastic! Even on other games it’s been great. Money well spent. Wish I’d got one of these earlier in all honesty.
A big diffence it makes while playing games in the mobile, plus added bonus of playing your console games
Included with the purchase was a free month of Xbox Game Pass which is what ultimately sold me on it, and functionally it works really well. Your mileage may vary depending on your data connection. Beyond your free trial of Game Pass, if you choose to not renew, the backbone works with a variety of other apps. There is a Backbone app which acts as a hub on your phone, it requires a subscription but you also get a free trial upon purchase. This app acts as a game hub showing you some recommendations for apps and games which support controller input. I haven’t found much use from this hub, but your experience may differ from mine.
Without any subscriptions this controller works incredibly well for:
iPhone games that support controller input
XBOX app console streaming & PS4/PS5 Remote Play app. Although these require a decent internet connection to stream, and the PS app requires you to also be connected to WiFi to play and does not work on cellular data. The XBOX app may also require WiFi to play on your phone but I have not tested that.
All in all I am very impressed with the Backbone controller. I’ve gotten a lot more use out of it than I thought I would. Switch had been my primary console due to the convenience of portability but this controller has offered me a similar play style with my home consoles.
I know there are cheaper alternatives around but this is a great bit of kit and very smooth running. Got the 13 pro max and works a treat with the adapter( which is included). Would definitely recommend as Apple Arcade games work brilliantly and no need for internet to use these.
I bought the Backbone a few months ago after my Razer Kishi’s analogue stick became stuck (I’ve since managed to fix this).
When I received the Backbone I was impressed with the ergonomic feel of it as it is so comfortable in my hands. All buttons feel really nice and respond well.
The added bonus is the Backbone software that comes with the device allowing you to play so many online gaming services including their own.
This has now become my go to handheld when mobile gaming. The only drag is cloud and remote gaming still has a way to go before you can rely on it.
Fantastic packaging. Came with the iPhone 13 add on in the box so I was good to go immediately.
Controller itself feels really nice in the hand, analogue sticks feel really small and toy like though – I don’t like that The buttons are also very clicky and often require more than one press to work. Or maybe I’m not pressing hard enough. Who knows Maybe I just need to get used to it.
The software is amazing – console like experience on your phone – very slick. Would I pay 50 per year to keep access to the software? No. It’s really nice – but I don’t think it’s worth anywhere near the price they are charging annually for access.
I’ll update in one month.
I love it. So easy to set up, I’ve played Xbox cloud gaming, PlayStation airplay, Apple Arcade and Stadia and all work brilliantly. The control itself feels so comfortable and slick. The only downside is that I have to take my phone out the case to fit but honestly that doesn’t really bother me. 10/10
So I used remote play about a month ago and it was awful. I thought this was due to lag but after using this amazing controller I can tell you that this product is a game changer and gives you 100% screen on iPhone.
The product quality so far has been better than switch joycons it feels like a 100 controller with a great app to go along with it. I have a switch but between ps remote and steam remote this has somehow made my phone my go to!
Diablo immortals is also around the corner and I’ve enjoyed games like COD mobile that I’ve never liked! Incredible product so far and well recommended. The app is also great in putting multiple libraries in one place.
I got this for my partner they are really happy with i
Download the backbone app. Have stable internet connection. Take out your iphone case. Snap the backbone on. And start playing.
Straightforward user experience. There were no lags in the game as compared to having blue tooth connectivity for an external contorller. The buttons are not squishy neither hard, they’re the right balance.
My son asked for this for his birthday. It is expensive for what it is but he put it straight in his phone and we downloaded the app. Be warned there is a charge approx 50 for the year. You have to sign up for it and it tells you the first 12 Months is free.’so you don’t pay you must delete the subscription a day before or earlier before the year passes.
What happens when using the handset beyond that we don’t know yet.
Supplier: Quick delivery. I ordered this on Friday. Received it on Monday. No hassles and product is exactly what was described.
Product: I’m not a big gamer. I bought this strictly for Minecraft. But my boyfriend is a huge gamer and he stated it is very good quality. I have a iPhone and was a tad bit hesitant on getting a Microsoft device for an Apple phone (because everyone knows they don’t play well together ) but I have to admit this is amazing. Would definitely recommend. Feels like an actual Xbox controller and it’s small and compact. I even let my son use it. He has an iPhone X and it worked well with his as well. Definitely worth the money.
Excellent gadget totally frees up tv and lets you play remotely from anywhere.. just touch the backbone button and it takes you straight to your home page on Xbox game pass
Un control de excelente calidad. Comodo, practico y con un latency muy corto. Casi imperceptible. Totalmente recomendado! (La app no es necesaria para disfrutar o sacar lo mejor del control)
Blown away with the production quality.
Delivered promptly and well packaged.
Works really well when on the move. Especially if you have Xbox Cloud gaming.
And from that point of view, Backbone is ideal: the hardware is well-made and robust. Compared to the analogue sticks on the Nintendo Switch (which I find really imprecise) these are well-tuned and they feel durable. The same goes for all the face buttons and triggers. If what you’re looking for is an Xbox or PlayState-grade controller to use with your phone, Backbone is up to that standard. And rather than having to pair an Xbox pad to your phone via Bluetooth – and find a way to stand your phone up – attaching your phone to Backbone turns the whole ensemble into a single piece that feels great in the hand, and is convenient to carry around.
From a software point of view, the Backbone app does a great job of bringing games from multiple different sources together, and adding community features. Having the ability to “pin” games from Apple Arcade and Xbox Cloud side-by-side, and to jump between them, is a marked improvement over tapping through folders in iOS.
The integration between software and hardware is also strong: attaching the Backbone and pressing the dedicated button launches the app, meaning that once you’re set up to game, there’s no requirement to navigate touchscreen menus etc.
I’ve never previously been a big mobile gamer, but with time at a premium (and with the big lounge TV hotly contested by family) the ability to play both dedicated mobile games and local / cloud streaming titles on a great screen, with great controls, anywhere, has become a pretty big deal for me.
EDIT – Spelling
I noticed the extra piece for the iPhone 13 pro already came with the product! Before I decided to buy the backbone a lot of reviews say you must Order it separately and will be a 5 dollar delivery fee witch I found kinda upsetting. I was very happy to see that it came with the back bone already without going thru that hassle! I own a iPhone 12 mini so it won’t be much use to me but very nice to have it here anyway! The backbone it self is pretty nice! Feels good in your hands and the buttons also nice! Only thing I probably don’t like about it is that I can’t play cyber hunt with it! Kinda the reason why I decided to buy it and also the whole backbone subscription thing after a year ? But other then that I did find some other games I enjoy playing like call of duty and other multiplayer games.
So overall I think the backbone is a +
The first product from Backbone isn’t perfect, You need a strong carrying case to carry it and with its strict requirements around cases making the setup more cumbersome than ideal. But the final product, both hardware and software, and nothing short of astounding. That’s coming from someone who wasn’t on the compromises of a smaller smartphone display, especially for console games. What sold me on Backbone is the same reason I’ve been migrating to Apple devices in recent months, a consistent user experience that just ultimately feels great to use. Whether for mobile gaming or, for me, finally using cloud gaming regularly, you won’t get better than Backbone.
The Good
1,Familiar, comfortable controls.
2,Great build quality and fit across different phones.
3,Strong software support.
4,Overall polish unmatched by alternatives.
The Bad
1,Poor support for cases and other accessories
2,Need a carrying case to carry it.
I was really curious about iPhone gaming/streaming so I picked up this and the Razor Kishi for comparison. Between the two, this one really fits my needs best, hands-down. I have used it over the last few months and am generally pleased. Most of my evaluation comes after playing a ton of Genshin Impact on my phone.
I have an iPhone 13 Pro, which requires an adapter to fit with this device. You can find files to 3D print your own online, or you can request a free one from Backbone directly via the app. It’s a little cumbersome but it works. I like how tightly this fits with the phone and it really feels like a solid gaming device. It’s pretty comfortable and all the buttons are easy to reach, yet they avoid accidental pressing.
I haven’t really used Backbone’s app or software but it at least looks nice and seems like a good gaming “homepage” like you’d see in a console.
My biggest issues:
1. You can’t use this with a phone case on, which is really annoying. Obviously there are design issues with trying to accommodate different phone cases but it’s really a pain (and a risk) to keep having to put on and take off my phone case every night.
2. The face buttons, in all honesty, suck. ABXY have a very hard and clicky feel and it takes too much pressure to push them in. They also make a very audible and distinct clicking sound when pushed in, making it hard to play in quiet spaces (it’ll be so annoying for other people to hear). In addition, I’ve noticed some unresponsiveness in the shoulder buttons-sometimes I have to click L1/2 R1/2 in twice for it to detect.
I’d love to see Backbone release a 2.0 version that addresses the above. For now, this one gets the job done!
This little device is great puts everything in one place but with the cloud gaming side of things, requires a stable internet connection please beware of that. Other than that 20/10 do not regret buying would highly recommend if your interested.
It is ideal for remote playing. I wish there were actually more good games on iPhone, but it works amazingly with XBox remote play and cloud gaming
Perfect but in the add it advertises it comes with the adapter for iPhone pro max 13 which it doesn’t. So barely fits my phone without the case. I have seen that backbone do the adapter for free but includes 7.95 postage.
This is a must have accessory for an Xbox. It feels very polished. I use it to stream Xbox games to my iPhone and honestly, I play some Xbox games more/exclusively on my phone with it.
I received this today and I’m liking it so far. I mainly got it so I can play on my Xbox whilst watching TV.
Pros:
– I like the design and it’s comfortable to hold.
– can charge whilst playing.
– iPhone clips in easily.
– secure fit.
Cons:
– very expensive.
– the backbone app requires a 43 a year subscription (however first year is free)
– iPhones in cases don’t fit in.
– requires an adaptor for the iPhone 13pro and I3 pro max. States it’s free but have to pay postage.
At the moment I feel that it’s still worth getting for the amount I’ll use it.
I love the app especially for giving you more of a console feel when you are using it. It connects really well and the charging port works great!
The only complaints I have are the buttons are too loud. I can’t play when my GF is going to bed next to me cause of how loud they are. Sometimes the controller will randomly disconnect and freak out for a bit, so far I have been able to overcome this by unplugging it, waiting a few seconds then plugging it back in (sometimes if you’re in the middle of a fight or stressful moment in a game this can be frustrating). Last but not least is the shape of the grip, while being very stylish, it does make long term gaming hurt your hands. Very much like the Nintendo Switch does when you are handling it in the portable mode with no grip on it. I wish they had made the Backbone have a bit more of a comfortable shape for your hands, similar to an Xbox controller rather than a Joy Con controller. That being said I am thriller with this purchase and it is the beat of it’s kind currently available for such a great price!
I had no expectations for this. I was am a recent switch oled owner and in love with portable gaming. I heard this could facilitate me playing my pc, Xbox, PlayStation and mobile games on my iPhone. It works admirably and serves all my purposes. My phone feels like a brand new console. The app adds some nice social features, but the controller really elevates everything. It is comfortable and the response time is immediate. This was a great purchase and I hope others take the plunge as well. Some people are complaining about the app subscription after 1 year, but I’m not concerned at all. I have enough money for my gaming hobby and being able to play nearly anything portably is priceless to me. 11/10 stars.
Fantastic controller for the phone. Just made gamepass cloud gaming even better.
Well worth the price tag!
Anyway, the good bit about this particular controller is that it has a rigid back plate supporting both sides of the controller. It is why I went for this one instead of the Razer Kishi which, by the looks of it, wobbles in certain use cases.
The layout of this controller is quite good. The buttons feel great, triggers are comfortable. The size of the controller is a bit of a hit or miss. My hands are not particularly big but I did find it rather difficult if not painful getting used to holding it. I play with an Xbox Series Controller for the most part on my Mac and have been playing with a Xbox360 controller for over a decade before that. backbone one definitely feels a tad small in comparison which is especially noticeable with the Right analog stick. Because the stick is quite close to the edge of the had grip, it forces me to bend my thumb just so I can control it. Took me about a week of getting used to and now I feel fine using it but keep in mind that the experience may be so uncomfortable that it will hurt.
The analog sticks have very little travel to them in comparison to an Xbox controller. Only a bit more than the PSP had back in the day. Also less resistance than a PSP so it can feel quite sensitive at first which, again, takes time getting used to. they are rubberised which is nice and my thumbs do not feel like they are going to slip.
I’ve been using it with GeForce NOW mainly and my experience has been great.
The best part about the controller is just how easy it is to put in on and off my phone . I use an iPhone XS and it fits perfectly. I thought it would take up more space in my backpack than a Razor Kishi would but to my surprise it is quite compact.
Overall I do recommend it.
Just know that there will be an adjustment period if your hands fit a Large glove or larger and especially if you are used to an Xbox controller on top of that.
Honestly i didn’t expect too much but this is a genuine game changer. It’s basically turned my phone into a PSP and I love it. COD mobile is unreal with this, Minecraft is sick. Can even play games like FIFA and Assassins Creed. The pad is built with exceptional quality and I’ve honestly got nothing bad to say about it. If I was to nitpick then it would be nice not to have to take off my case every time I play but that’s honestly the only problem I can think of in the 3 months I’ve had it. Highly recommend if you like playing games!
The controller is really good quality and comfortable to hold it makes playing games on your phone alot better and easier the play remote for the xbox is really good all in all its an amazing bit of kit well worth the money
This is a really great controller. Feels very similar to a Nintendo switch when in my iPhone 13 Pro Max and has very good built quality. However, it’s absolutely ridiculous that for the price of this device I have to pay an annual subscription to use the app and had i known that this would be an issue, I would’ve probably bought the much cheaper alternative Razer Kishi. This issue aside it’s a good device if you’re willing to pay 50 a year for use of the app which is the biggest difference between this and the Razer controlle
Unboxing- This company clearly did some research on this. The box sets the tone for how you feel about the product. The product is boxed very well, almost Apple like.
Set up- it doesn’t come with direction, BECAUSE YOU DONT NEED ANY! You literally take it out of the box and plug it into your phone.
Game play- I am a huge COD: Mobile player and this changed the game for me. It has reduced my ADS time and makes mobility in the game so much better!
Some downfalls, idk why the ask me to pay $49.99 a year for the app subscription, it’s a free download in the App Store and the subscription is not required for gameplay.
Taking the phone out can be tricky. I hold the phone with my left hand and then pull the controller off with my right, but usually end up dropping the controller.
Also, since you are using a controller, COD the game will recognize that and automatically pair you with other gamers using controllers. This leases to longer wait times while searching for a game.
Takes some getting used to as the controller with the IPhone attached is bigger. It by no means replaces the need or desire to use the console, but it is handy for travel and portable around the house.
Xbox cloud gaming and remote play can be glitchy depending on the session. Otherwise it is okay.
Recommend this.
I looked into several options for Xbox Game Pass remote gaming. The first option was connecting a proprietary Xbox One controller to my iphone 13 pro via bluetooth. This is a bad option, since the input lag of bluetooth on TOP of the lag from remotely streaming from your home machine is too much to tolerate when trying to play a simple racing game like Forza H5 or Dirt 5. There is absolutely no way you’d play something competitive like Halo that way either. So in my mind, controller clips like the PowerA MOGA are also useless for this application unless they come up with a hardwire that connects your iPhone directly from lightning port to Xbox controller.
Now, as for the Backbone, it has the least latency possible. It works fantastically. The build quality feels fantastic. The buttons have a nice firmness to them.
The only major flaw with this controller is the dome shape of the joysticks, which is horrendous even for casual gamers! Good luck trying to precision aim or drive a car with these terrible thumbsticks! The only solution I found was to apply Skull & Co CQC Thumb Grips Set Joystick Cap for Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Controller onto the thumbsticks to get a grippy concave shape. If the Backbone came with these thumbsticks, I’d give it a full 5 stars!
Brought this back bone one for my husband he loves it
It’s brillia
First I’d like to start off by saying it’s a very good controller, has all the buttons in all the right places. But those buttons, D-pad and joysticks should be a little bigger, of better quality materials, and just slightly better designed like the XBox One v2. Controller with the round D-pad and built-in grip on bottom of controller and triggers. Second, the inability to use this controller with a case is a bummer, not a deal breaker but most certainly an inconvenience. More importantly I’m one of those iPhone 13 pro max people that had to order a separate (freeish) adapter for it to fit. I have a simple fix for all that. Team up with a case company like Otterbox that has attachment points on it and make this controller more like a Nintendo Switch that the two ends slide or click on to the said proprietary case attachment points.
its a good concept . i dont like the fact you have to pay for a subcription for contiinued use of the app which doesnt even support that many games and the games it does support already have external controller support so its a waste if you dont record your gameplay which is really the only benefit from using the app
. it doesnt allow to manually map buttons on screen which you would think would be possible since its a direct input but no you have to get a third party app
after a week or so of use the controller wasnt too comfortable after a long period the triggers are nice and the buttons are sturdy its well made but the thumbsticks need an update or an option in the app to control the sensitivity the aiming isnt great for competitive shooters like call of duty its a tad bit slow with the response which is weird because its direct input i get betterresponse on a bluetooth controller
i also wish there was an option to switch the connector to usb C so you can use on android and apple or maybe add the bluetooth option
also wish it was long enough to fit an ipad that would be ideal for gaming i would love to see that option even if it means a slight increase in the price
other than that it is a sturdy product that could use some tweaks
Read about this companion accessory for months and prior to vacationing I decided to buy it, to work on my game backlog. At first I had to get used to the button weights but after a couple hours it felt right at home in my hands. The R and L 1-2 buttons are easy to use the thumb sticks are weighed just right and the buttons and d pad are what you’d expect from an actual Xbox controller.
If your Wi-Fi connect is good this is great, if you have poor Wi-Fi this won’t be that much fun however when you have bad Wi-Fi just switch to a local Apple game game and continue the fun. I bought several SNES ports and classic side scrollers from Apple Games Store and this controller does the trick.
If you have Apple Arcade, play mobile battle royales or have XBL GPU this needs to be your next purchase for your iPhone
Playing Mobile COD with this is amazing. Yeah you gotta get used to it but that doesn’t take long. The package arrived early and it was packaged nicely. Super easy to get started. It’s literally plug and play, all you have to do is download an app (which is free) and you’re good to go. I would give this product a 9/10 only because if you have a case on your phone, you have to take it off and then plug your phone into the device. For reference I have the thinner outterbox phone case and I have a iPhone 12 Pro Max. Once the case is off I have no issue plugging my phone it. Plus the great thing about this product is that it expand and retracts so it can fit pretty much any phone that supports it. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND for those who play mobile COD or any driving/racing games
The Backbone integrated interface makes my phone feel like a console with a dedicated front end. Everything just works! And xcloud gaming feels like I have a portable Xbox Series X
I’ve been using this controller for several months, and I gotta say it’s heaps in front of the competition! It’s got super-simple interface and very user friendly!
The pros:
-literal plug-n-play
-the downloadable software is easy to navigate and links all your games to one place
-construction of the device feels durable and grips the iPhone pretty solid
. It has a “good weight” to it and feels quality made.
-it works with just about all streaming video game platforms for iOS. If the game is available for streaming you can probably play it (yeah I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on my iPhone!!!).
-the grips are fairly comfortable. I’ve used it for several-hour plane rides will little-to-no discomfort.
-oh, and there’s this one other small detail IT GIVES YOU A HEADPHONE JACK!!!
Now the cons 🙁 :
-it’s a bit overpriced in my opinion. It’s about $99 right now. I feel it would more appropriately should go for $74.99-89.99.
-You get nothing in the box except the controller which is good in regards to a smaller footprint (it charges via Lightning, so you can use your phone’s charger).
-there’s no case offered, which is kind of a bummer with the steep cost. I feel at its $100 price tag it should come with some kind of hard case or glove.
-basically any phone case will not fit with the Backbone connected. It must be removed first.
Though it’s not perfect, I prefer the Backbone as my portable gaming accessory for iPhone! This is the first generation, so I feel it will only get better throughout later models.
I’ve spent a couple hours so far playing with this controller. For its price, I was expecting hardware in the same tier as an Xbox One, Switch, or PS4 controller, and it’s not as good as those controllers.
I haven’t played a game so far that requires precision in the analog sticks, but they feel good in use. The buttons, on the other hand, are, by gamepad standards, high resistance, low travel, and unusually clicky. The triggers (L2 and R2) are lowish resistance and non-tactile. There’s no extra click corresponding to their binary activated / non-activated state, feels broken. The D-pad is a little indistinct between adjacent directions, kinda mushy, and also has a little higher travel and more resistance than feels right (more resistance than the Dual Shock PS4 controller I have here, which also feels like too much resistance, to me).
Also, I find the vertical orientation between the buttons and analog sticks to be mildly uncomfortable and the start button being underneath the analog stick throws me way off every single time. Accounting for some MFi tax, I could see paying a bit less than standard Xbox gamepad price for one of these. At its current price though… ehhhh… you can play games with it, perhaps comfortably (as long as your phone doesn’t overheat). It’s a matter of personal perspective whether it’s worth it to you.
There’s an associated app that you’re prompted to install, but the app is completely unnecessary. I don’t know why anyone would ever install a third-party “social” app that came with a gamepad peripheral. I think at least one of the ancillary buttons is hardwired to launch the app, if it’s installed, for screenshot-sharing purposes or something.
I thought the price was a bit steep and I didn’t really get the hoopla about a lot of the features, but I’m glad I trusted the reviews and got the Backbone! It feels like some sharp people focused on all of the little details that made iPhones less than ideal for games. It all adds up to an experience that truly feels like powering up a modern game system.
-the hardware is light and comfortable. It’s easy to snap on, even in the dark. All of the buttons/sticks feel solidly built.
-the backbone app is fantastic and useful. Exploring iOS in portrait mode is awkward when you have a controller on it, so the app effectively lets you browse your controller-ready apps in a comfortable landscape mode (which you can bring up with a shortcut button), and also shows you some great new games to try.
-the lightning port is perfectly placed so that it’s very comfortable to charge (or use lightning headphones) and play.
-it’s great that the unit itself requires no charging, and seems to use very little power.
$99 is a lot but this thing actually makes me look forward to playing many iPhone games, instead of trying them once, getting bored with touch controls and uninstalling.
Only minor complaint is that it doesn’t seem to work with my iPhone case, so I need to slide that off and on each time I want to play.
This product is definitely worth the purchase. It is super easy to use. Just plugin and there ya go. I am going on a plane trip soon and this will be the perfect way to keep me entertained!
At $99 the Backbone One is a luxury. A much more reasonable price would be somewhere near $65 like other console controllers. I assume they justify the price premium by being an official “built for iPhone” device and having an admittedly great free companion app that transforms the iPhone into a console-like launcher for apps that support controllers.
So far this is the best mobile gaming experience I’ve had. Much, much better than the awkward and heavy experience of clipping my iPhone to an Xbox controller like I used to do. It turns the iPhone into a Nintendo Switch-like device, and now with Google Stadia, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and local streaming options like the PlayStation remote play app, combined with Apple Arcade and other controller-enabled games, the iPhone is as close to being a dedicated gaming console as we are going to get.
It’s a premium-priced product and in my opinion it kind of requires other subscriptions and home consoles to fully enjoy, but the experience is worth it if you take mobile gaming seriously. Being able to play Xbox Cloud games or remote play PS5 from anywhere in your house, not just in front of the TV, is simply awesome if you have a good enough wifi network. And games like Genshin Impact, Cozy Grove, and Minecraft that are native to iOS play so much better with a controller that feels like it was built just for them.
*As a side note (and the reason it gets just a 4/5): the left joystick of the first Backbone controller I ordered inexplicably stopped working about a week after I started using it. At first it was extreme drifting and pulling to the right, and then it just stopped accepting input completely. It was easy enough to return it for a replacement with Amazon, but it worries me that it may happen again outside of the return window.
All of these work fantastic with this device and fit my iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s super easy to snap on to my phone too which is nice. Makes my iPhone look like my Nintendo Switch lol.
However. It does not fit it IF I have my leather Apple Case on. Hope this helps someone!!
The controller came in a sleek matte black packaging together with a safety guide.
Build Quality:
Non-slip plastic construction, rubberized joysticks, and tactile buttons. Lightweight yet sturdy.
Functionality:
Easy plug-and-play; the Backbone iOS app started up as soon as my iPhone X was connected. The tutorial was also super helpful to get you oriented to what every button does. I mainly play Genshin Impact mobile and the app also showed the game without any issues. Compared to using the touch buttons in Genshin Impact mobile, the Backbone One was beyond helpful in fighting difficult bosses/dungeons or swapping characters in and out. I’m not sure if every game has a “Controller” profile for hotkeys but I was able to configure each button to what I wanted on the Backbone One.
Conclusion:
Although I’ve only used the controller for three hours on the one game I really play on mobile, the experience has been completely different (in the best way). Besides making the gameplay much more fluid, I also noticed that the controller was beneficial from an ergonomic point of view. I’m excited to try new games with this thing!
Then I switched to an iPhone and started searching for products that were like the Kishi, but not the Kishi. Enter, the Backbone. The buttons and d-pad are so comfortable, such satisfying tactile clicks. The triggers feel very smooth. The whole thing feels well-built. The only thing I would ask the backbone team is to find a way to allow it to fold smaller for storage. Aside from that, this is in my opinion the best vice-style controller for mobile.
UPDATE UPDATE!!!! THEY REPLACED THE UNIT AT NO COST!!! I’ve had no problems with the new controller and it is once a again my favorite. They have AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!
Day 1…love it. No complaints so far except this NEEDS a carrying case because it’s not safe any other way. Please make that happen. Something sturdy that won’t rub on the buttons. Other then that I’m happy. Well update as I continue to use i