Guide to connecting an Xbox controller to your iPhone, Mac, Android, or computer

The Xbox controller is one of the most cross-platform compatible accessories. It is also known that it is one of the products that gives the player the best ergonomics thanks to the shape and position of the buttons. In this way, it facilitates games in competitive titles. For this reason, most likely, if you have one, the user will want to connect it to a PC, mobile phone or tablet.

One of the keys to the great versatility of Xbox controllers is their connectivity. These accessories are compatible with Xbox wireless and Bluetooth protocols. Therefore, you can be sure that they will be compatible with almost any device you want to connect to. In order to follow the instructions correctly, it is necessary to highlight the following devices that the user will be able to pair their Xbox controller:

- PC con Windows.

- Mac.

- Celular o tablet Android.

- iPhone o iPad.

How to tell if an Xbox controller supports Bluetooth

Before you start connecting an Xbox controller to any device, you must first check if it supports Bluetooth technology. To find out, Microsoft has come up with an easy way to learn. However, it is also vital to know that the latest versions of these controllers (from the Xbox One S) integrate Bluetooth.

In case you want to confirm that, you simply need to check the plastic part located at the top of the Xbox controller:

- On a Bluetooth compatible controller, you will find that the plastic surrounding the Xbox button is the same color and material as the rest of the controller.

- On the other hand, devices that are not compatible with this technology will have the Xbox button surrounded by black plastic with a glossy surface.

How to connect an Xbox controller to a PC with Windows operating system

Microsoft takes care of Xbox and Windows; for this reason, connecting your controller to a computer with this operating system should be an extremely simple process. In fact, the company was responsible for developing more than one method to achieve this, so there are many options:

- Via Bluetooth

With this option, there is no need to buy cables or adapters, all that is needed is an Xbox controller and a PC running Windows 10 or later. In older versions of the operating system, you won't be able to get it to work that way.

To connect an Xbox controller to a computer via Bluetooth, simply follow these steps:

1. On the PC, enter Settings.

2. Here, go to Devices.

3. Enter Bluetooth and turn it on.

4. Select Add Bluetooth or another device, and start searching for your controller.

5. Press the Xbox pairing button when prompted by your computer. This button is located on the top of the controller.

- Using a USB cable

In the case of Windows 7 and 8.1, as soon as you connect the Xbox controller via a USB cable to your computer, it will start downloading the drivers to make it work properly.

If you count Windows 10 or 11, the accessory will be instantly recognized thanks to the integration of the two systems into the Xbox ecosystem.

- Using an Xbox wireless adapter

Several years ago, Microsoft introduced the Xbox wireless standard. The system can be found natively on some computers, such as the company's Surface models. However, if your PC doesn't have it, you can always get an external adapter.

Of course, if you are thinking of buying it, it should be borne in mind that Microsoft has released two models. One of them works with Windows 10 and 11, while the other is only compatible with Windows 7 and 8.1.

How to connect an Xbox controller to macOS

Connecting an Xbox controller to a Mac computer is as easy as it is on a PC. You just have to follow the following steps:

1. Press the pairing button on the controller (located next to the upper connector).

2. Open System Preferences on your Mac.

3. Ingresar a Bluetooth.

4. Locate your Xbox controller in the right list and double-click.

How to connect an Xbox controller to an iPhone or iPad

Starting with iOS 14.5, Apple added native support for Xbox controllers. The synchronization process, on the other hand, is quite quick and easy. You just have to follow the process and you should be able to pair your controller:

1. Turn on the controller and press the pairing button.

2. Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

3. Enter Bluetooth.

4. From the list of devices, select the Xbox controller when it appears.

5. Follow the on-screen steps and complete the pairing process.

In turn, Apple's support for the Xbox controller extends to Apple TV. It is only necessary that your device has tvOS 13 or later, and you can sync the controller to play Apple Arcade and other compatible titles.

How to connect an Xbox controller to an Android device

Native Xbox controller support is available on Android since version 5.1. However, compatibility with Google's operating system is only through Bluetooth, so an Xbox controller that supports this technology will be required.

On the other hand, the experience between each manufacturer is different, and it will also depend on the Bluetooth version and the optimization of the device. The process is as follows:

1. Turn on the Xbox controller and press the pairing button.

2. Go to Settings and then head to Bluetooth on your Android mobile phone or tablet.

3. In the list of devices, select the Xbox controller. Follow the pairing process and you're done.

You can now download apps from the Google Play Store to assign the buttons on your Xbox controller. However, hundreds of games have been adjusted to work natively with them, so you just have to experiment to see which one works best for the user.

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