Following a recent update, Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, now offer official support for wired Xbox controllers. This enhancement supersedes the previous capability that only allowed game controllers to connect via Bluetooth. This expansion in accessory compatibility coincides with the launch of major gaming titles on Apple’s platform, including Resident Evil Village, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, and Death Stranding.
Support for Wired Xbox Controllers Introduced
A report from MacRumors indicates that the latest updates to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 Sequoia have made wired Xbox controllers compatible with Apple devices. Prior to these updates, only PlayStation controllers could connect using a wired method, while Xbox controllers were limited to Bluetooth connections. The most recent update for iPhones is iOS 18.0.1, which was implemented yesterday.
The report highlights that Xbox employs a custom USB protocol for connecting its controllers to devices, which is now supported by Apple’s updates. Gamers can link their Xbox controllers to their iPhone, iPad, or Mac using a USB Type-C to Type-C cable.
Additionally, users of older Apple devices equipped with the proprietary lightning port can still utilize this feature with certain conditions. Those users will need to acquire a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter separately, which is available for purchase on Apple’s website for Rs. 2,900.
Other Updates
In tandem with this announcement, Apple has released iOS 18.1 Developer Beta 6 and Public Beta 3 updates for the iPhone, introducing several new features. These updates include dedicated toggles in the Control Centre for AirDrop and Satellite, along with shortcuts for Measure and Level.
The Notification Summaries function has been enhanced to display the total number of notifications received, shown alongside the notification stack on the lock screen. Furthermore, Apple has incorporated Sleep Apnea detection capabilities that monitor and report any breathing irregularities, which can be reviewed within the Health app on the iPhone.
