The Best Mobile Gaming Controllers for iPhone and Android (2026)

The best mobile gaming controllers are excellent tools that allow you to play compatible games for hours on end. Whether you're looking for an iPhone or Android controller, we've tested all the top picks (aka we've played a bunch of games on our phones) and have opinions on them all. Backbone makes the best mobile gaming controllers we've tried that'll work for most people, but we also have solid recommendations for specific uses, like for pairing with smart glasses or a tablet.

Make sure to check out our related buying guides, including the Best Cheap Phones, Best Android Phones, Best Gaming Controllers, and Best MagSafe Accessories.

Our Top Picks

Best Mobile Gaming Controller

The Backbone One is as easy to recommend as it is to use. Slot the connector—either USB-C or Lightning—into your phone and stretch the controller over the back. The buttons and triggers are clicky and responsive, and the controller feels comfortable for hours-long gaming sessions without being too bulky. It also has pass-through charging, a screenshot or screen recording button, a mute button, and a headphone jack.

Part of what makes all Backbone controllers so great is the manufacturer's software and additional features. The controller supports a number of gaming apps and services, and the companion app is fantastic (though not required). My favorite bit is the list of recommended games with controller support. You can also use the app to message and party chat with your friends, stream directly to Twitch, record and edit videos in 1080p at 60 frames per second, and more. Some of these features are locked behind a Backbone+ membership, which costs $40 per year. The subscription is nice, but you don't need it to have a great experience. The controller is also available in some limited-edition styles or platform-dedicated versions like PlayStation Edition, but the differences are cosmetic.

Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, Amazon Luna, and Steam Link

Best Upgrade Mobile Gaming Controller

The Backbone Pro expands on all of the features I loved about the Backbone One. The Pro is slightly chunkier, grippier, and more comfortable, and although my hands are small, I can imagine this is easier to hold for folks with larger hands. It has a quieter, more premium feel, and it still has the headphone port and pass-through charging capabilities of the One. The Pro feels just as ergonomic to me as a console controller, with no drawbacks or compromises. I liked the full-size joysticks, programmable back buttons, and Hall-effect rear triggers.

The Backbone Pro also has Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can use it with your phone, tablet, laptop, VR headset, and compatible smart TVs. You can connect to multiple devices simultaneously and switch between them with just a tap. If you're serious about mobile gaming, or you want a comfortable controller that can swap between your devices seamlessly, I recommend the Backbone Pro. I think it's worth snagging a carrying case like this one, though, to store it.

Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play, Amazon Luna, and Steam Link

Best Magnetic Mobile Gaming Controller

The Mcon controller from Ohsnap has some quirks, but its general concept is neat. The MagSafe controller attaches to the back of your iPhone or Android phone (a magnetic ring is included for Android users, though Ohsnap recommends using a MagSafe case). Press the Eject button to pop out your phone, almost like you would with an old-school T-Mobile Sidekick, and reveal the D-pad, joystick, and buttons below. You can also pop off the entire magnetic component and use the built-in kickstand to prop up your phone while controlling it with the separate controller half of the device. There are hand grips you can pull down and out for added stability if you'd rather have a more traditional design than playing with a rectangular controller. The Mcon pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and has minimal latency, with recessed thumbsticks and buttons that feel satisfying to press.

There are myriad Mcon accessories that are neat, like the Key Cast or Dock, which can charge your controller (via USB-C) and cast your phone screen to a monitor or TV. I could see this device especially coming in handy for travel, given its compact size that you can slip it in your pocket—which is not true for many of the controllers in this guide. It's also a great option if you'd rather play on your phone but not while you're holding your phone.

Regarding those aforementioned quirks, keep in mind that it is very compact—it felt top-heavy with my iPhone 17 attached, and I found it a little uncomfortable to use after a couple hours of playtime (and my hands are small). It also doesn't have pass-through charging. In practice, I don't reach for this controller often, but it does carry specific good use cases.

Officially works with iPhone, Android, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Steam Link, Xbox and PS Remote Play, and Nvidia GeForce Now

Best Hall-Effect Mobile Gaming Controller

If you crave that console feel but want the cradle style to hold your smartphone, try the GameSir G8 Galileo. It’s a good size, is comfortable for long gaming sessions, and feels like a real Xbox controller (with stick-and-button layout to match). You can slide phones up to 7.28 inches tall into the cradle, and the USB-C connector swivels to make life easier. Because you connect via USB-C, there’s no need to faff with Bluetooth, and it feels very responsive with virtually zero lag. GameSir has packed in a lot, including Hall-effect sticks and triggers, pass-through charging, a 3.5-millimeter audio jack, and two back paddles.

All buttons are fully mappable, there’s a multi-function button, and you can switch between touchscreen mode, Android, and PlayStation mode by pressing the top two buttons. The faceplates are magnetic, so it’s easy to pop them off and switch out your sticks (GameSir provides one each of the small, tall, and dome styles in the box). I played Grimvalor and Call of Duty: Mobile for a couple of hours, and other than my phone getting warm, it was a smooth experience. A quick blast of Cyberpunk 2077 proved this is also a solid controller for remote play. On the downside, it is bulky, the GameSir app is flaky, and there are no haptics. —Simon Hill

Officially works with Android, USB-C iPhone, PlayStation and Xbox Remote Play, Steam Link, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna

Best Mobile Game Controller for Tablets

This sliding controller is similar to the GameSir G8 Galileo in that it feels like a regular controller split in half with a cradle in the middle for your phone to connect via USB-C. The reason to spend more on a Kishi Ultra is for the extra space for very large phones or, even better, an iPad Mini or small Android tablet (up to 8 inches). It is a comfortable controller with clicky microswitch buttons, a circular D-pad, and full-size offset thumbsticks (though they should be Hall effect for this price). I prefer back paddles to the double triggers on the shoulders, but it does have 3.5-millimeter headphone and USB-C charging ports. There’s also customizable RGB lighting (via Razer’s Chroma RGB software) and decent haptics.

I found the Kishi Ultra supremely comfortable for third-person games, and it is far less cramp-inducing than compact controllers, but that does mean it is seriously chunky. Ultimately, I prefer the Backbone for its portability and the G8 for its back buttons, but the Kishi Ultra is ideal for small tablets, helping them rival dedicated handheld gaming consoles. You can remap buttons and customize other bits and pieces in the Razer Nexus app and remote play from your PC using Razer’s PC Remote Play software. You can also use the Kishi Ultra as a wired controller for your PC or laptop. It’s a shame that it lacks official PS5 remote play support. —