Best Portable Gaming Controllers for iPhone and Android (2026)

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

Be sure to check out our relevant buying guides, including the best cheap phones, best Android phones, best gaming consoles, and best MagSafe accessories.

Our top picks

Best portable gaming console

One spine

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The best upgrade for your portable gaming console

Backbone Pro

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Best magnetic controller for portable gaming

Ohsnap! Mcon portable gaming console

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Best Hall Effect Handheld Gaming Controller

GameSir G8 Galileo

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Best portable gaming console

The Backbone One is as easy to recommend as it is to use. Insert the connector – either USB-C or Lightning – into your phone and extend 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 console supports a number of gaming apps and services, and the companion app is great (although not required). My favorite thing is the list of recommended games with controller support. You can also use the app to message and group chat with your friends, live stream on Twitch, record and edit videos in 1080p at 60fps, and more. Some of these features are locked behind a Backbone+ membership, which costs $40 per year. A subscription is nice, but you don’t need it to have a great experience. The console is also available in some limited edition styles or platform-specific versions such as the PlayStation Edition, but the differences are cosmetic.

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

The best upgrade for your portable gaming console

The Backbone Pro expands on all the features you loved about the Backbone One. The Pro is a little bulkier, more grippy, and more comfortable, and even though I have small hands, I can imagine this being easier to hold for people with larger hands. It has a quieter, more premium feel, and still has the headphone jack and pass-through charging capabilities of the One. The Pro feels as comfortable as a console to me, without any of the drawbacks or compromises. I loved 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, or compatible smart TVs. You can connect to multiple devices at once and switch between them with just one click. If you’re serious about portable gaming, or want a comfortable controller that can switch between your devices seamlessly, I recommend the Backbone Pro. I think it helps to have a carrying bag like this to store it.

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

Best magnetic controller for portable gaming

Ohsnap’s Mcon controller has a few quirks, but its overall concept is neat. The MagSafe controller attaches to the back of an iPhone or Android phone (a magnetic ring is included for Android users, although Ohsnap recommends using a MagSafe case). Press the eject button to eject your phone, just like you would an old-school T-Mobile Sidekick, revealing the D-pad, joystick, and buttons below. You can also take out the magnetic component entirely and use the built-in kickstand to prop up your phone while controlling it with the device’s separate controller half. There are hand grips that you can pull down and out for added stability if you prefer a more traditional design than playing with a rectangular controller. The Mcon pairs with your phone via Bluetooth and has minimal latency, with a thumbstick and ergonomic buttons that feel good to press.

There are countless nifty Mcon accessories, like the Key Cast or Dock, that can charge your controller (via USB-C) and project your phone’s screen onto a monitor or TV. I can see this device being particularly useful for travel, given its small size that you can fit in your pocket – which isn’t true of many of the controllers in this guide. It’s also a great option if you prefer to play on your phone but not while you’re on it a contract Your phone.