Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is a little tricky for me to review. To be clear, this is an excellent device. It's of a very high build quality. The buttons have that nice "clicky" solid feel to them and once you snap in your phone, the entire assembly feels very solid and cohesive. I really like the feel of the D Pad as well. A couple of really nice features are the built in headphone jack and the Lightning connector port that not only allows you to charge your device while it's connected but also will allow you to use the Backbone independently of the phone as a controller on PC, iPad, Mac and other devices. I am impressed with how solid everything feels when my phone is snapped into the Backbone and how it all just feels like first party peripheral. By comparison, the Razer Kishi definitely looks and feels like a third party accessory. That's not really a bad thing or a negative point on the part of the Kishi, just an observation that may be of interest to some of you. What I didn't expect though was despite the Backbone being quite a bit more lean in profile compared to the Kishi, I find it more comfortable to hold. I'm a tall guy with large hands and I had already anticipated preferring to hold the Kishi. One point that irritates me is that accessory designers still design for just the phone and not the phone in its case. If your case requires disassembly to remove the phone, you're going to be out of luck with any such accessory, not exclusively the Backbone. Smartphones rapidly became a norm, even for folks on a budget so I don't see why this is still an issue honestly. This is likely not a concern for most people though. So when I bought it, I only expected to get a controller that I could use for my iPhone 11 Pro and didn't anticipate a great app to accompany the device. The app has a lot of great features and integrations as well as being well designed. However, I really dislike that they want you to pay an additional $50/year for the privilege of using most of the good features of the app, despite giving you the first year "free". Backbone is effectively building their own ecosystem around the controller and asking a subscription fee for using it, kind of akin to XBox Live or PS+. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great features in the app and for many of you, it may easily be worth the additional asking fee after that first year. Personally, being an avid gamer, I already pay for enough of these sorts of services and didn't anticipate that as part of the purchase of the Backbone. I'm also not their target audience for that sort of feature set though. The app has its own friends list, messaging features, content creator features, and other little addons that overlap with many other services. For example, if you're using Xbox or Steam streaming, the Backbone app integrates with those services, but adds its own friends list and rich presence features that function independently of them. If mobile gaming is something you do quite often, the Backbone subscription may be of interest to you. If you're simply looking for a controller for your phone that works with Apple Arcade, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, etc, I just felt it worthwhile to bring it to your attention.

I love this controller when I am on the go and even at home! The clarity is incredible, the latency is low, and the fun is endless. I use it with Xbox and apple games. The hardwire connection creates a much better experience than the Bluetooth controllers- it's also sleek and fits in your hands nicely. I can't wait to take it on some road trips!

I've owned the Backbone gaming controller for a modest length of time. I've been able to test it with my gaming laptop and xbox cloud gaming. I am extremely impressed with this controller. So, you might ask "Just what impresses me the most and why?". Let's be honest here. There are several choices of controllers like this that have flooded the market lately. Some great, some good, others not so much. Most promise certain things with varying functionalities and these devices really try to deliver on those promises only to fail You, the gamer, in the end. Not so regarding the Backbone controller for the iPhone. This controller will only fit an iPhone, so if you have an Android device, you'll need to try the Razer Kishi for Android or another brand of controller. The company that produces this controller has delivered on every promise they've made regarding specifically what this controller will do to helpmake your gameplay more enjoyable. With the iPhone connected, you can connect to and play games on Steam (at least the ones that have controller support), Xbox Cloud Gaming (because the iOS doesn't support gaming directly from your Xbox), Playstation's Remote Play (I have not personally tested this). It can be used for your iPhone games as well, naturally, along with other game streaming type services that are out there. I have used the Backbone controller extensively with Steam and Xbox Cloud Gaming and it works flawlessly! I have also use the controller by itself, connected by USB cable directly to my gaming laptop and it works flawlessly (this is a functionality that the company advertises, but doesn't make it a highlight in advertising, because the selling point is that you connect your iPhone to the controller and game away.). It does come with a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate(new subscribers only) and a year of Backbone+. I read somewhere that a month of Apple Arcade is included, but I honestly can't attest to this. I guess what impresses me the most is the versatility you get out of this thing! The number of game streaming services is one thing, but to be able to use this controller with no iPhone at all, connected to your computer via USB cable is something else. If you've got a few bucks that you want to spend in a piece of gaming hardware, or if you're needing to scratch that itch you've got for the next best thing, then get yourself a Backbone gaming controller for the iPhone. I honestly doubt you'll regret it!

I like the ability to turn my iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Being able to connect directly with my Xbox Series X and PS5, via cloud gaming, is great. The PS5 app, PS Remote Play, has been a little bit hit or miss, for me though. However, no issues at all playing any of my Xbox games. This may have more to do with Microsoft Xbox Live and X-Cloud being far more fleshed out and proven compared to Sony’s PS Remote Play. Joysticks feel good and buttons have nice tactile feedback. Bumper buttons are a touch close, but that’s understandable given the small size of the handheld device, as opposed to, an actual console controller. I like that the Backbone allows for charging passthrough, which is great if your phone starts to get low on juice. I used my AirPod Pros to listen while gaming, but having a 3.5mm headphone jack is appreciated. The Backbone interface is great with lots of options for gaming apps or connecting to consoles and other cloud-based gaming platforms. It’s very easy to navigate and feels well thought out. The ease of which I can switch between using the joystick controllers and buttons or simply using my finger to swipe on screen feels totally natural and organic. There’s also a nice amount of haptic feedback when in using the interface and in-game adding to the immersion. Though mostly positive, there are a few potential drawbacks. Not being able to keep my phone case on while using it would be my only major complaint. I feel as though my current case has a relatively slim profile, however, the way the Backbone is designed, it simply won’t allow the usage of phone case No matter how slim. There’s some raised padding that sits just inside either end of the controller. It’s there to help keep the phone from sliding around and offering some additional security and support while connected to the Backbone. However, that small raise in the pad means that it’s only suitable for a phone without a case. As soon as you add one, that raised pad won’t allow the phone to line up properly with the Lightning connector. That’s kinda inconvenient, and frankly, a bit of pain to have to take on and off when using the Backbone. Obviously, that’s nitpicking, but something worth mentioning especially, when there are newer competitors, like the Gamevice Flex, that allow for you to game with a slim case. I, also, wish it came with a travel case standard, too, as the whole purpose of it is for on-the-go mobile gaming. Overall, the Backbone is a good product with smooth controls and a nice interface. However, the not being able to game with a phone case on, lack of a travel case standard, and issues connecting to PS5/PS Remote Play, keep this from being perfect.

Did manage to use it for a very long time, The games I played were GTAs and Fifa and Many fps ones. You get little less movement room than the traditional controller. But since the purpose of this controller is meant to be used remotely on iphone. Does its job perfectly

This device is the answer for the mobile gamer who wants to play their XBox/Playstation remotely. Make sure you have a fast 5G or Wifi connection to your phone and also a hardwire connection to your Xbox/Playstation console for the best performance. Honestly, I use a 5G TMobile connection and WIFI to my consoles and still only see slight frame skips. An inexpensive way to game on the go, and much better than Nintendo Switch in my opinion.

I don’t know why I waited so long but this controller is amazing! I normally use it for Xbox remote play at home and it works like you normally play on a big screen. It does come with a year free subscription but after the year it’s a $50 for the backbone app. You can still use the controller without the backbone app so don’t stress about it. Love having something portable in hands.

Love it. It’s very fun to play with and I can travel with it so I can take it anywhere I go. It’s light weight and can fit in a small compartment

This is a fun way to play the switch. User friendly for younger kids

Great for travel and those long lectures, wish it had a universal set up

The controller is built well and seems sturdy. It snaps around your iPhone (but you’ll have to remove a case if you have one on it). There were no instructions other than inserting the cell phone, but between the Backbone app and the Xbox app, we managed to figure out pretty quickly and intuitively how to sync the Backbone with our home Xbox to stream games. Because it’s cellular to home and back, there is a slight lag in controller input, but it doesn’t seem to affect gameplay much. An absolute blast for the young gamers in the house to take their show on the road. Much more enjoyable and entertaining than most iPhone games. There is a free annual subscription to Backbone that auto renews after a year. It came with a free month of GamePass, which is a nice bonus. Otherwise GamePass runs $16.99/month, cheaper per month if you buy for longer terms.

Works perfect for cloud gaming on my phone. Makes it easy for my lazy days.

worth the money- works great with my iphone- easy to setup. now I just plug my phone in and its ready. no connecting or charging it. i just plug my charger into it if I want to charge my phone and the cord is not in the way of play! FYI - to get the amazon music free trial do it on a computer not your phone.

Amazing. I used to have the Razor Kishi (Gen 1) and this is much better. Fits the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 14 Pro perfectly! Buttons are good and the Backbone app is perfect for iPhone users. Play Geforce Now and Xbox xCloud right in the app!!

Got this for my little brother… he uses it faithfully for trips

Very comfortable easy set up. Love it. Makes gaming easier.

Amazing controller with a superb response rate. Must have for the mobile gamers. I was skeptical about it. I thought the hype about the backbone was not realistic. When this came out to Bestbuy for $99, i wanted to give it a try, which i am glad i did. No regrets here. fits your hand perfectly, easy to navigate and use the buttons. Also not heavy at all. I wonder if Backbone will release new skins which i would love to get one and customize mine. i definitely suggest to anyone who loves playing games on their apple iphones.

My favorite $100 purchase in a long time. Easy installation and many games on Apple Arcade are compatible with the controller. Buttons have nice feedback and I can play for many hours with no discomfort in my hands.

i love it very portable and very useful fun to playwith

If you like gaming and don’t have time for console or pc gaming this isn’t a bad option. Great for road trips or long car rides. Took a minute to get used to but once you do it’s fun.