Customer Ratings & Reviews

Backbone didn't have to make this device as it's pretty much just like the original Black Backbone BUT! I have much more to say as someone who owns both. What makes this one even better for someone like me is that this is a Sony Playsation 5 Edition. This means matching the black and white color scheme and buttons to match that of the Sony Playsation ecosystem. The buttons and D-pad are clear and on the back is a branded PS logo that covers the Apple logo (lol). I love it, I really am enriched by the design in a way...like a Playstation "Vita Phone" of some sort. Backbone has always been a great mobile controller from the start for iOS; as there is really none in the market that works as well. Backbone is lighter than the competition, offers more features than the competition, and is overall better than the "green" brand with this device. Also while yes you can use your PlayStation 5 controller on iOS let's be real with ourselves...Are you really going to lug that around with your phone as well? The backbone can easily fit into pockets and take with you. The controller is one of the best mobile controllers I've used and I love how it contours with your palm. Gripping it is great and feels like a real portable system. Notifications buzz can be felt through the Blackbone controller. I used an iPhone 12 Pro MAX and an iPhone 11 Pro MAX on the backbone giving me a huge screen when gaming. It doesn’t feel out of place making it feel too large to carry on Apple’s biggest phone. Outside of the standard buttons you already know from the PlayStation ecosystem like X, O, Square, and Triangle; there are a few buttons here unique to this controller. There is a button for the Backbone Menu (This launches the Backbone app which is useful as it's a quick press of a button to get into all your services. Completely eliminating unnecessary steps when connecting to a phone. The LED around the button lights up when it’s connected.), A screenshot button so you can share online screenshots and videos also works natively with iOS. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack that comes in the handle when you just want to use wired headphones and funny enough a good way to bypass iPhone not having one. Even listening to music was great on the device and use a gaming headset on the device with a mic. Backbone also has a lightning port where you can charge your phone as you game. You don’t need to charge the controller itself as it's just a bypass for your phone. L3 and R3 clickable analog sticks feel nice clicking them in. To fit the phone inside you must take it out of a case. The controversy over this controller is the placement of the analog sticks. They are not the placement they are on the PlayStation 5 controller. They mimic The analog stick placement of an Xbox controller. And while I understand that could be an issue for some people. I believe they did this to keep the theme of the original Backbone as well as most games on PC using the Xbox control scheme. I didn’t have any problems with playing any games on PS5; Even with the analog sticks placed where they are. Another problem some might have is that the analog sticks are not concaved like the PS5 controller. All of these issues didn’t impact my enjoying gaming mobile as every game I was playing wasn't that much different than using a controller on a PC. Maybe they will fix these issues with a “Pro” model of a Backbone but this one is more of a choice between the white and black colors of the existing backbone. While streaming from PlayStation remote play and Steam held up perfectly. Every button responded and gave a satisfying click. It’s simply amazing how far we’ve come to play great games without a hassle. If you have a USB-C; it can be used on any device like the iPad or PC so it poses as an extra controller to have around. It works on Xbox streaming and Apple Arcade as it’s just a normal backbone. To use the Backbone app you must sign up for a subscription service. It gives you one year free but doesn’t need the app to use the controller itself. Overall; Backbone gives you more options in the mobile market and it's nothing wrong with that. I personally like the color scheme it has with the PlayStation 5 over the original backbone. Once it’s all put together it looks great and is simply a stunning colorway. I truly enjoyed the ergonomics of this controller and it’s fully Sony branded in an odd way. This is a real premium iOS controller that I do know. If you want to enhance on mobile gaming experience or just want a better way to play Genshin Impact controller is the product to get! Highly recommend it to gamers.

Purchased as a Christmas gift. Not sure how it will work yet.

The Backbone for iPhone for Playstation is aesthetically a great looking device, technically a great idea, and fundamentally a controller that can turn your iPhone into a next-level gaming device. In reality, personally, I feel it needs a lot of improvements to be a true 'Playstation' controller for your iPhone. What Backbone have done, is taken their regular controller, made it white and put some nice, glossy Playstation 5 controller-esque buttons on it, and a couple of proprietary PS functions. But fundamentally, the controller is more geared towards an X-Box or Nintendo Switch set up, than it is a Playstation controller. The biggest elephant in the room with PS vs X-Box vs Nintendo Switch controllers is the off-set joysticks. The Playstation is the only one of the 3 controllers that has symmetrical joysticks, on the same plane. So to be a 'true' PS controller, this one needed to step up it's game and have the symmetrical joysticks. I've had every iteration of Playstation from One through Five, and the joysticks have always been level and not offset. And while we're talking about the joysticks, they are tiny. Like tiny, tiny. Very similar to the Nintendo Switch controller joysticks, which are also tiny. As far as the aesthetic feel of a PS5 (or 4/3/2/1) controller, this misses the mark. And to a Playstation (only) gamer, this will feel weird. I do occasionally play on my son's Switch, but complain about those controllers all the time to him too! Yes, I am a Sony fan in this respect, and I am reviewing this Backbone controller, as a Sony product fan. Moving on to the better things, I love how they've captures the glossy/clear buttons of the PS5 controller, it being white ties into that design with the black bumper buttons up top. The other buttons are fine, they do what they need to, the Backbone button would have been more complementary in Blue on the controller, but that's a minor thing. Now in this form factor, you aren't going to have the feedback sensors/motors in a controller like this, I totally get it. But a more substantial click from the bumper buttons would be welcome. The way this controller slides open with a spring loaded mechanism makes it very easy to attach your iPhone, and also comes with an adapter to mount an iPhone 13 as well. But... you have to remove your case, this controller does not work with your case on your iPhone. Minor inconvenience, but worth a note. On the bottom edge, right hand side, there is a USB-C charging port to be able to charge your phone while using it, no cable is included tho. On the left hand side there is a 3.5mm jack for hooking up some wired headphones if you so choose. Once you plug your iPhone in, you are prompted to download the Backbone app, set up an account, and even though you get 1 year of Backbone membership with the controller, you are forced to set up a recurring payment with Backbone through Apple, in order to even begin using the controller. Being forced to do that ($50/year), while understandable as Backbone want to make money, was annoying when just trying to get on and try/use the controller. Playing Games: I found the controller to have little lag, depending on the game, which was nice, and games like Gran Turismo 7 played nice and smoothly with the controller. I had some good fun racing around the tracks. The functionality was there, little to no lag, smooth turning, accelerating and brake was all to be found. You can also capture and record clips just like you would on a PS5 controller, with a dedicated button. Moving on to my go-to game, Call of Duty (Cold War in this instance) things got a little different. In a fast paced and frenetic online game, the controller was simply too jerky in it's joystick motion to remain accurate and on target, I tried all sorts of different options, holding the controller slightly differently, and while you could control the game, the sense of urgency required wasn't there and I was habitually second to the trigger. Ultimately ended up quitting out of the game due to the awkward joysticks and feeling like I was always playing second fiddle to the other players. For context, I am not an Elite Gamer, nor am I novice to Call of Duty, I've been playing online consistently since Call of Duty 3. Overall, I really wanted to like this product. It's a quality product, and it's well screwed together, it feels sturdy and durable, it's connectivity is good, little to no latency on smoother games, but frantic, high speed games it struggled, in my experience. The aesthetics are nice too, it looks good. But overall, the joystick layout (and size of them - too small) really make this NOT a dedicated PS controller substitute, and for that reason alone, makes me not want to pick it up. And being forced to sign up for the $50/year subscription right out of the gate, before even testing the product was annoying as well.

I've seen the Backbone's for a while and have always wanted one, but I've been a PlayStation guy since the PS4 released and thus, it never really appealed to me as they've all used the regular "Xbox" button layout. I don't do too many mobile games on my phone and have always wanted to dabble with Remote Play on PlayStation, but never really wanted to deal with the extra controllers, setup and such. Then, I heard that Backbone was releasing a PS5-themed version of their controller and I decided it was finally time to get one! Now, I've done a lot of research in the past, as I've thought about getting one before. I know you cannot use your phone case with it. Which, for me, is not such an issue because I use an Apple silicone Magcase on my iPhone 12 Pro Max, so the phone just pops right out. Not a big deal. However, I do use a Zagg screen protector and even in my research before pulling the trigger on this PlayStation-themed Backbone...I've read online and on various forums that it is fully compatable with screen protectors and that there should be no issues in that department. So, with this knowledge, I went ahead and bit the bullet and grabbed this Backbone controller. I was super pumped for this to arrive. Once it got here, I waited for the weekend, so I'd have PLENTY of time to play with it and test it out. Well...guess what? My phone, with the case off, will NOT fit the Backbone because the left and right "lips" of the Backbone unit that goes over the edges of your phone do not raise above the glass enough for it to fit properly. Thus, the lightning plug does not go fully into the phone and the phone is not secured to the Backbone properly. I did try pressing down and "wedging" it in, but to no avail. So, this review is very limited, as I've not even gotten to try out the device because I'm not taking off a $60 screen protector just to be able to use this. However, I will be fair and give this review a 4/5 stars because of the unboxing experience and the overall build quality of the Backbone itself. It even has the PS logo on the back, once it's stretched out, which I thought that was super cool! All the buttons are very tactile and feel just like those on the PS5 DualSense controller, which I LOVE. However, this is the end of my review, sadly. If you're in the market for this, GET IT. It seems to be an amazing little device... BUT...know that: A) You cannot use a case with it - I'm not docking a star for this because I totally expected to have to take my case off every time, anyway. B) If you're using a thicker screen protector (like a diamond one), such as the those by Zagg, this will NOT fit. At all. I'm docking a star for this because we already can't use a phone case with it - there should be just enough "budge" in the design of this device to allow for at least a screen protector. With that being said, I don't know anyone who goes completely naked with their iPhone...without using at least one or the other of the above. So, for now, this will just double as a super awesome looking paperweight or desk decoration.

It was a surprise birthday gift from my wife. I didn’t know what to do with it because I don’t usually play games that really require a controller on my phone. As soon a I plugged it in and got it set up, I was surprised how many games you can play with it that I didn’t even know you could play on a phone in the first place. I play a lot of CoD Mobile and have tested out a lot of other controller based games by browsing the Backbone game library. Super easy to get used to and to navigate the game menu. I would recommend to any gamer or anyone looking to get back into gaming. I love that it requires no charging and packs a lot of features. It is a quality piece of hardware. One thing I am concerned with is when I upgrade my iPhone, will there be a USB-C adapter piece for the already existing iPhone compatible backbone models. I would hate for this to become obsolete.

----Design---- Pros - Great comfortable size with all buttons easily accessible - Fits the iPhone great. The included iPhone 13 insert fits iPhone 13 great - Underside ports for wired headphones and USB charging is a fantastic touch - White color is stylish and modern. The orange "Backbone" button is a nice touch Cons - Apples proprietary lightening connector will make this obsolete sooner than later if iPhone goes to USB C in the future. Features/Performance Pros - Immediate detection when connected to the phone - Flawless controls when in games using either a remote Playstation session or otherwise - Support for multiple platforms, despite the Sony branding, this works with Xbox and Steam as well - The companion app is easy to use and navigate though. Cons - The backbone app requires a subscription after the initial 1 year free trial. This is required for advanced features, but not required to use the controller for native iPhone games, or when using directly with the remote Playstation app. ----Bottom Line---- This just works. There really isn't a lot to say about this thing. It's a controller, that you can use with an iPhone to play remote console or PC games. The button orientation and overall size and feel are great. The entire product is well though out. It does what you expect it to do and it does it well. I'd see no reason for anyone looking to add a controller to their iPhone gaming experience why you shouldn't pick up a backbone.

Rule #1: DO NOT... download...the Backbone app! The controller is fine, but the backbone app will absolutely destroy the experience. One you download it, it will infiltrate your gaming session, constantly prompting you to sign up for their paid subscription service which serves absolutely no useful purpose whatsoever. Also, don't let the PlayStation branding fool you, its a phone controller and is not of Sony quality. You can use it with PlayStation remote play, XBOX, Steam, iOS games, doesn't matter, so long as the game you're playing has controller support. I will say that the lightning connector went bad after 6 months of use, it would disconnect and reconnect constantly, further interrupting sessions. On a positive note though, Backbone quickly and efficiently replaced the unit on warranty without any resistance. It does not fit perfectly (even with adapter) on iPhone 14 plus, it's a bit off-parallel to the backing due to the camera protrusion. This is not a major issue though, you might not even notice if you're not particularly observant. Control sticks have the travel of a Nintendo Switch JoyCon, so takes getting used to. Overall I recommend this controller based on convivence factor and use.

The Backbone One PlayStation Edition for iPhone has completely transformed my mobile gaming experience! The design is sleek and comfortable, with a familiar PlayStation-style layout that feels natural and responsive. The white color looks great and adds a premium touch to the overall feel of the controller. Setup was a breeze—just plug in my iPhone using the Lightning connector, and I’m ready to play. The controller is instantly recognized by most games, and the response time is fantastic. The buttons are clicky and tactile, with great feedback, making it easy to execute precise controls in fast-paced games. I also love the Backbone app, which adds extra features like game streaming, capturing clips, and connecting with friends. The ergonomics are excellent, and I can play for hours without feeling any discomfort. If you're an iPhone gamer looking for a high-quality, responsive controller, the Backbone One is a must-have. Highly recommend it!

I absolutely love my Backbone controller! It's compact, easy to use, and makes mobile gaming feel like playing on a console. The controls are smooth and responsive, with no noticeable lag, making every game feel immersive. Its design is perfect for extended use, and the integration with my phone is seamless. Overall, it’s a game-changer for mobile gaming, and I can’t imagine playing without it now!

This device surprised me! - Snug fit in the hands during short and long duration gameplay sessions - Great for remote play on PS5 hardware. I use this instead of the dualsense controller due to hand pain. I couldn't play PS5 games until I found this device. - If you prefer handheld Nintendo switch play, purchase this device for remote/cloud, mobile play or something similar to it. - This is not a cheap accessory and that is reflected in the build quality. - I use an old phone with this accessory. This is for lightning port devices only. When Apple introduces USB-C compatible devices, this will not work. Unrelated to the product itself is the paid subscription service. For $40 a year you receive a glorified launcher. The orange button, pictured, is mapped to this service. Do not sign up for the free trial. - You cannot map buttons according to personal preference using remote play on the PS5. This device regularly reaches sale prices of $60-$70 during black friday and cyber monday sales events.

After watching tons of videos on the Backbone I finally decided to pull the trigger and get one. Zero regrets!!! I’ve remote played on my phone and used the console controllers and it worked but having to prop the phone up wasn’t ideal. This lets you have the phone right in front of you while you play. Don’t even worry about draining your battery because that’s not even close to being a problem. I’ve remote played in my living room and while hundreds of miles away in a different state using hotel wifi. The subscription service isn’t necessary so don’t let it stop you from buying one. Highly recommended

It wont fit a iphone 14 without the adapter (comes free in the box. If not in the box they will mail one out to you for free.) It works great. Can play all compatible games easily. My only gripe is with its subscription based app. With a subscription you can access all your games and game recordings or screenshots in a single location instead of having to go through your phone. It also lets you screen record with a press of a single button and lets your stream onto your twitch as well. But without the pricy ($39.99/year) you cant do any of that.

This has elevated the PS5 to my number one console to play games. The Backbone has an amazing design and the buttons feel great! As long as your PS5 is hard wired to the internet, remote play works nearly flawlessly.

Works good. But for personal reasons I didn’t get the experience I was looking for. Controller felt entirely too small for me. & there was a little but of a delay when gaming. As if either the controller/phone couldn’t keep up. For maximum efficiency when gaming its Better for me to just play on the console. Haven’t used the backbone since I first got it. Outside of those two reasons I had no issues with it.

Small, portable fun! Make sure your connection is good on both ends is you are intending to play your PS5 remotely. It can hiccup and disconnect easily, but it’s not this devices fault. I play PS5 and all other phone games using this and it’s really really good! Feels good and solid. I was actually expecting something cheap-feeling, but I am very impressed! One last thing that’s crucial for my top priorities when getting anything like this is developer involvement. I’m happy to say that the developers are very in-tune with the gaming community (they have an entire discord for communicating with the company) and QUICKLY respond to any issues.

I like everything about it but whag i like most is that i can play my ps5 games on my phone..id rather use this device than buy a portable ps5 handheld bc i can also play my xbox games and steam games off of the same device. Whoever thought of turning the phone into a handheld gaming system is a genius. I use my backbone on a daily basis

This controller for your phone is amazing! I oroginally had a Razer Kishi V1, and it felt weird. Something just didnt feel roght about it. This however is great! They’re both $100, but I would recommend this over that any day. They also make an “Xbox” version of this which is black and has traditional Xbox style buttons, but they both work with PS Remote Play and Game Pass flawlessly. There is a Backbone subscription service you have to subscribe too, but you can just cancel it immediately.

This is such an impressive gaming solution, it is so easy to transform my iPhones into a portable gaming console. It has a sleek design, intuitive controls, and is accompanied by the Backbone app, this device aims to revolutionize mobile gaming by providing a comprehensive gaming experience on the go. The Backbone controller boasts a well-thought-out design that marries functionality with comfort. Its ergonomic layout and tactile buttons make extended gaming sessions comfortable, while the sturdy build ensures durability. The device securely holds the iPhone, offering a seamless and integrated feel akin to a traditional gaming console. The Backbone app complements the controller, offering a centralized hub for gaming content, which is super easy to use. Whether you're a casual gamer seeking convenience or a dedicated gamer craving a console-like experience on your iPhone, the Backbone controller delivers on its promise to elevate mobile gaming to new heights, providing versatility, comfort, and an expansive gaming world at your fingertips.

The controller is great when it comes to quality is all plastic but rigid and the mechanisim to expand is also very nice the things I didnt like was the buttoms sound and feel is clicky is weird for those buttoms to sound like that or feel that way you get used to it but is weird not a fan. the analog sticks are limited to movement I understand they tried to make the controller very portable and small but wish they made them like a ps5 controller not like a nintendo swtich controller but those things I didnt like are not deal breakers to me. Before I forget also I wish the controller woul have more grip I struggle playing warzone with the controller sometimes have change the grip to hold the controller.

Overall this is a nice controller accessory to have if you own an iPhone and have a PlayStation, I have also used this controller with other games and it works good. Just annoying that I have to take my case off my phone to use it