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Xbox Series X Controller Support Coming to Apple Devices

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Apple and Microsoft are working on adding support for the Xbox Series X controller to Apple devices, according to an Apple Support page spotted by a Reddit user.

xbox-series-x-controller-microsoft.jpg


The support page states that Apple devices only support the Xbox Wireless Controller with Bluetooth, Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Xbox Adaptive Controller, PlayStation DualShock 4 Wireless Controller, and various other MFi Bluetooth controllers. However, small print on the page states:

Microsoft and Apple are working together to bring compatibility for the Xbox Series X controller to customers in a future update.
Click to expand...

Support for gaming controllers on Apple devices allows for better control in supported games from Apple Arcade or the App Store, navigation on the Apple TV, and more.

There is no mention of the Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller or the Amazon Luna Controller on the Apple Support page, but MacRumors has spotted code mentioning the controllers in the iOS and iPadOS 14.3 betas.

Article Link: Xbox Series X Controller Support Coming to Apple Devices
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/20/xbox-series-x-controller-coming-to-apple-devices/
Can anyone confirm MFI controllers like the Nimbus SteelSeries are supported with iOS games running on M1 Macs?
 
I assume they mean the Series X|S controller; as far as I know both consoles have the same controller, just a different paint job.
 
smythey said:
I assume they mean the Series X|S controller; as far as I know both consoles have the same controller, just a different paint job.
Click to expand...
Not a different paint job, they're the same color. Different texture though. And different D pad. And a new share button.
I have controllers from the one, oneX and seriesX.
 
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aapl needs to improve game contnet - mucho much
i play video games on pc game rig mostly
bought a xbox controller elite series 2 - stupid thing is not plug and play into pc btw - its a paper weight for now
playing cod warzone pubg using mouse keys so far
 
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dragoon2745 said:
I don't understand why a bluetooth adapter is needed to get the controller to work with a Windows or Mac PC. What's special about that adapter that makes it required beyond any regular bluetooth device?
Click to expand...
At least for the Xbox one controllers under Windows you can use them in 3 ways: plugged in with USB, using the wireless USB adapter or over regular Bluetooth (some of the early Xbox one controllers don’t support this method). According to Microsoft the difference between using the wireless adapter and Bluetooth is latency (the wireless adapter should provide lower latency). In reality, I’ve tried both ways and honestly can’t find any discernible difference. Would only make sense that the new Xbox controllers and the Dual Sense controllers would support similar methods.
On the iPad I’ve tried it over Bluetooth and using Steam Link to play Persona 4. Worked flawlessly and no lag whatsoever!
 
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I got a xbox series X last week with the launch. I had a PS4 for 7 years. It is like the Mac arcade box that I aways wanted from Apple. With it's super fast AMD processor and graphics chip it is fantastic. It is the replacement for bootcamp when it finally goes away with Apple. With a 144hz refresh rate and 120fps on my Samsung g7 32in gaming monitor it is truly amazing for gaming. With the ability with remote game play with xcloud, it is truly what gaming is all about. I will still use the Mac OS X and system for work but gaming is gone and no simple IOS game is going to replace it for real professional gamers. And the new controler is great! I got the 1TB Seagate SSD card for the xbox and this is so cool. I can add games to the cartridge and label it and swap it in and out. the new Sony PS5 is not easy to put in new SSD storage and I can see neophytes, static shocking there M2 SSD card as they install and remove the card inside the PS5.
 
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smythey said:
Here's the controller for the Series S. Same, but white.
Click to expand...
I'm aware. You can technically get them in all sorts of colors using microsofts controller studio. And in various special editions. But it's all the same options as were there before. I should have said there's no special colors for the new xbox series.
 
dragoon2745 said:
I don't understand why a bluetooth adapter is needed to get the controller to work with a Windows or Mac PC. What's special about that adapter that makes it required beyond any regular bluetooth device?
Click to expand...
Bluetooth adapter?
Are you talking about the Microsoft Wireless Adapter? That allows you to connect up to 8 xbox controllers and several chat headsets.
When the X1 was first introduced the controllers weren’t bluetooth compatible so you needed the adapter to use them on your pc (witelessly).
Since the release of the Xbox One S in 2016 all Xbox controllers have been BT compatible so you can connect them just with BT to your computer.

I connected my Xbox One X controller to my iphone and played a bit of Oceanhorn just fine like that.
I also used it just fine with remote play using the Xbox App connected to my X1X on my iphone.
 
dragoon2745 said:
I don't understand why a bluetooth adapter is needed to get the controller to work with a Windows or Mac PC. What's special about that adapter that makes it required beyond any regular bluetooth device?
Click to expand...
It probably has to do with Apple treating iOS like an appliance for the masses. If you have to map buttons then that’s a step too far.

What they fail to understand is that anyone picking up a control to play games on iOS will be used to mapping and it won’t be a barrier to entry.
 
archer75 said:
Not a different paint job, they're the same color. Different texture though. And different D pad. And a new share button.
I have controllers from the one, oneX and seriesX.
Click to expand...
No, the Series S comes with a white controller and the Series X comes with a black controller. Different paint job, but the same texture, same D pad, both have a share button...etc
 
I'll hijack this thread just to say I really wish the Nintendo Pro Controller would get added. I'm not sure if it's Apple or Nintendo that's responsible for the lack of compatibility but it would be a great addition to further expand Apple into the gaming ecosystem.
 
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Chinch07 said:
No, the Series S comes with a white controller and the Series X comes with a black controller. Different paint job, but the same texture, same D pad, both have a share button...etc
Click to expand...
Yes, they always come in different colors. It's not a different paint job. It's the same color used many times. They have controllers in all different colors. I was thinking series controllers compared to previous controllers. Not series S to series X. Yes, in that case the only difference is color.
 
Wait, the series X controller doesn't work with iOS? I was planning on picking one up to play games on apple tv and my ipad.

Any guesses when they will be supported?
 
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