iOS 14.5 developer beta adds support for Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller and more

By Zachary Boddy
published

Pretty soon, you'll be able to use that fancy new controller with your iPhone.

Xbox Series X Controller Hero
Xbox Series X Controller Hero (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • Apple tests upcoming updates and changes to iOS through its developer beta program.
  • The latest beta is version 14.5, and includes a number of new changes.
  • One of the larger changes is the addition of support for the Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller and Sony's DualSense controller.
  • This is especially important with the impending release of Xbox Cloud Gaming (Project xCloud) on iOS later this year.

The latest iOS 14.5 beta is rolling out, and includes a handful of changes that iPhone users can look forward to in the future. However, one of the most notable changes is the addition of support for the Xbox Wireless Controller that was released alongside the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Support is also being added for Sony's DualSense controller that dropped with the PS5.

While this added support will only be useful for supported mobile games in the meantime, Xbox Cloud Gaming should be coming to iOS sometime this year through the web browsers on iPhones. This will allow iPhone users to play full-blown Xbox games on their iOS device, which will be even better when paired with the Xbox Wireless Controller.

Xbox Cloud Gaming is one of the many perks included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Microsoft's game subscription service that includes Xbox Live Gold for online multiplayer on consoles, Xbox Game Pass on consoles and PC, and remote game streaming to your mobile device.

Prepare for Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Wireless Controller support on iOS with one of the Best Controllers for Xbox Series X|S.

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Zachary Boddy
Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.

3 Comments
  • Wow, this is fantastic news. Especially since the wired Rotor Riot controller that I bought for my daughter's iPad does not even work with all games. (That is of course Apple's fault, not the manufacturer.)
  • About time. I bought the controller specifically for cloud when I was on winter break, only to find out it didn’t work with the iPhone yet 🙄. It’s not like they put that information on the box. You’d expect the newest version of hardware that used to work, to work. 🤦‍♂️
  • So you don't inquire or do any research before buying console?
    And how is it Microsoft's fault. It's like asking microsoft to put the flaws of xbox on package.