When Apple releases its iOS 16 update this September, Nintendo Switch owners will be able to connect their controllers via Bluetooth. The iOS 16 will be capable of identifying both Joy-Cons separately and as one controller. After pairing the controllers, there will be options to customize them in the Bluetooth settings. This was discovered and confirmed in a recent tweet by AltStore and Delta developer Riley Testut. Testut was able to play mobile games with the controllers using the latest iOS 16 beta release, stating that they work “perfectly”. In response to Testut’s tweet, Apple engineer Nat Brown further confirmed the claim while also noting that this feature is still in the testing phase.
iPhones have indeed supported controllers for PlayStation 5’s DualSense and Xbox Series X|S in the past. The addition of the Nintendo Switch may be questionable since it is already a portable console. Plus, Nintendo has released many successful mobile apps which utilize the technology of an iPhone. For example, Super Mario Run allows players to control Mario just by tapping the screen. Pokémon GO is another example since that is an augmented reality game that does not need controllers. However, games such as Mario Kart Tour and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp may benefit from the use of a Joy-Con. New players could find it easier to navigate and those who wish to keep their screens clean will now have the option to do so while playing their favorite games.
Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch controllers will not be compatible with the following devices:
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6s Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone SE (1st generation)
Other iPhones not listed above will have the advantage of connecting Joy-Cons once the iOS 16 update is released this fall. Apple users who happen to be gaming enthusiasts can soon play mobile games with the use of a Joy-Con.