Backbone One for iPhone - Playstation Edition
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
in 17 offers
The lowest price for Backbone One for iPhone - Playstation Edition right now is $40.97 at Woolworths, compared across 13 retailers.
The all-time low was $22.78 on 15 May 2026 — today's price is 80% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 3 July 2026.
Last updated at 03/07/2026 13:31:31
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller PlayStation Edition for iPhone White BM3601
Delivery $10
Backbone One Mobile Controller - White (BB-02-WS)
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Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller (lightning Port) For Iphone (1st
Delivery $15
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone PlayStation Edition New
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller PlayStation Edition for iPhone White - NEW
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone - PlayStation Edition – Gen 1
Delivery $6.99
Backbone One iOS Mobile Gaming Gamepad Controller (Playstation Edition)
Delivery between 7–10 July $10
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller (Lightning port) for iPhone (1st Gen) - PlayStation Edition
Free delivery between Mon – Tue
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller (Lightning port) for iPhone (1st Gen) - PlayStation Edition
Free delivery between 9–17 July
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller, For iPhone / PlayStation Edition, Collapsible & Compact Design, Low Latency Connection, Capture Game Clips & Sc
Delivery between 8–14 July $48.38
originally posted on bestbuy.com
Wow, what a fantastic mobile accessory this product truly is. It converts virtually any recent iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Once I hooked my iPhone 11 Pro Max into it I barely recognized it as my phone. I was pleased to find not just PlayStation games, but also Xbox, as well as Apple Arcade. Most of which feel as if they were designed for the Backbone One. Once absorbed into PS Astro’s Playroom it was awkward receiving a (spam) call that brought me back to reality, oh wait, this is on my phone. Setup is quite straight forward, download the backbone app, subscribe to your 1-year free trial, $49.99 auto-renew annually. I set a reminder for next year to decide if I use the service enough to renew or cancel (at any time) Launching various games I was surprised ... MoreWow, what a fantastic mobile accessory this product truly is. It converts virtually any recent iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Once I hooked my iPhone 11 Pro Max into it I barely recognized it as my phone. I was pleased to find not just PlayStation games, but also Xbox, as well as Apple Arcade. Most of which feel as if they were designed for the Backbone One. Once absorbed into PS Astro’s Playroom it was awkward receiving a (spam) call that brought me back to reality, oh wait, this is on my phone. Setup is quite straight forward, download the backbone app, subscribe to your 1-year free trial, $49.99 auto-renew annually. I set a reminder for next year to decide if I use the service enough to renew or cancel (at any time) Launching various games I was surprised the sound was so good, and looked for an integrated speaker on the Backbone One. I guess it’s just using your phone for yet another form of entertainment that made the gaming experience fresh and new. After playing Apple Arcade Star Trek, I then tested the handheld on Xbox Cloud gaming service. The process navigates you to Safari, where you Share Arrow , add to home page, and launch Xbox Cloud to login. Forza Horizon 5, Cool. The service synchronizes with your game progress before launching. Once complete you’re playing your same console game on your phone without the need to be near your console, or take over the family TV. The driving experience wasn’t nearly as FPS fluid, and responsiveness seemed somewhat sluggish so I performed fewer high-speed features and chose more exploratory tasks, though that’s no fault of the Backbone as a controller, and this review is not based on Xbox Cloud’s beta service. Syncing to the PlayStation had a “gotcha”. First you enable Share Play from Settings / System menu, then link. Despite being on the same network, I realized both console and iPhone had to be on same WIFi network. Unplugging the hardwired ethernet cable resolved that and was quickly up an running. The PS Backbone One feels natural, though R1/2 and L1/2 front index finger buttons feature approximately ⅓ of the travel as dedicated PS5 controllers, and slightly smaller buttons, and joysticks, all of which worked flawlessly. Remote play seems well implemented, using Backbone to control what’s also on the console screen. Launching Astro’s Playroom was seamless, and easy to get into gameplay, forgetting you’re using your phone. My only slight niggle was realized at a point in that one particular game where you have to use the PS5 controllers gyroscope to advance. Perhaps the iPhone motion sensor data is not (yet?) implemented or possible future enhancement. Since very few games likely support that its a minuscule issue at most. Pros + fits most (all?) iPhones + expandable base + ultra low-latency + left side headphone jack + single controller for multiple systems + Xbox, PlayStation, Stadia, even Apple Arcade support + record and edit game clips (photo and video) + iPhone 13 Pro Max adapter (14 too?) + No need for a dedicated handheld now Cons -front button travel could have more resistance -buttons slightly small for large hands Conclusion Let me jump right to the chase. This Backbone One so easily integrates with various gaming platforms, I no longer have the desire to purchase a dedicated handheld gaming device. Recommended BUY
originally posted on bestbuy.com
Backbone iOS Mobile gaming has evolved the last few years, especially as companies like Microsoft, have dived in to cloud gaming. However, you’re often faced with either using touch controls which tend to be unforgiving, or settling for 3rd party bluetooth controllers that either need to be charged, lose connection, or require you to prop up your smartphone to play a game. So, its not at all surprising that a company would offer a solution that offers both the flexibility of using a controller with easier to use inputs, and the ability to hold your screen at the same time. In the package, you’ll find the Backbone controller, an iPhone 13 adapter to account for the raised camera bump, and a basic quick start guide. Setup of the device is easy on iOS. If you have an ... MoreBackbone iOS Mobile gaming has evolved the last few years, especially as companies like Microsoft, have dived in to cloud gaming. However, you’re often faced with either using touch controls which tend to be unforgiving, or settling for 3rd party bluetooth controllers that either need to be charged, lose connection, or require you to prop up your smartphone to play a game. So, its not at all surprising that a company would offer a solution that offers both the flexibility of using a controller with easier to use inputs, and the ability to hold your screen at the same time. In the package, you’ll find the Backbone controller, an iPhone 13 adapter to account for the raised camera bump, and a basic quick start guide. Setup of the device is easy on iOS. If you have an iPhone 13 Pro, make sure to install the adapter, which allows the camera to clear the back plate. Using the spring tension, simply plug the iPhone into the lightning port, and then rest into the controller. The spring tension does a great job holding the phone in place, and like most iOS accessories with an app, your iPhone will prompt you to install the Backbone software. Once installed, you’re presented with an app walk through of the controllers buttons, including the capture button, backbone button, and the various features of the device. To make things easy, the app will also present you with a 1 year trial, after which you’ll need to pay for a membership fee for Backbone+. If you’re not currently subscribed to Xbox Live, the backbone will come with a 1 month Xbox Live Ultimate free trial to try out Cloud gaming. If you have an Xbox with remote play capability enabled, you’ll be able to use the controller to play those games. The capture button can either be tapped to start a recording, or held to take a screenshot. The Backbone is fairly responsive, with all the button combinations you’d find on a regular Xbox controller. You’ll have both joysticks with button press, L1/2 and R1/2 triggers, and the familiar ABXY and directional pad. I appreciated the ability to play games, such as Halo Infinite, using remote play on my Xbox Series X, and also works with various app based games found on the iOS App Store. This accessory alone has changed my mind with mobile gaming, turning my iPhone 13 into a small gaming device. The Backbone app will also sync with your contacts to provide notification when your friends are also playing a game with their backbone. Ultimately, this device is a great accessory to compliment your mobile gaming and taking a leap into cloud gaming with Xbox or even Stadia. The easy set up, without a need to pair the device, makes this one of the best accessories I’ve ever used with my iPhone for gaming. So, if you’re at all wanting to game with your iPhone, I’d highly recommend this!
originally posted on bestbuy.com
Bottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The ... MoreBottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The White / PlayStation edition also uses the triangle/circle/X/square labeling and layout, which will be instantly recognizable to PS players. For remote play, physical buttons open the PS share and start menus much like on the DualSense controller. The BackBone One also has a dedicated button for screenshots/video recording that saves directly to the iPhone Camera Roll, which offers another way to share recordings. Although the BackBone One is a solid iPhone controller, buyers should be aware of two issues. First, the minimalist design can’t accommodate an iPhone case, and so it must be removed each time you want to connect and play. Indeed, the camera bump on the iPhone 13 Pro creates a need for an (included) adapter, since the controller was designed around thinner iPhone models. Second, the buttons are noticeably smaller than they are on a DualSense controller. It’s most noticeable, I think, for the L1 and R1 triggers, since I play a lot of Elden Ring. Despite these two issues, the BackBone One White / PlayStation edition offers full controller support for PS remote play, and it works well with other iOS compatible games.
| Width (Contracted) | 176.2mm |
| Width (Extended) | 257.6mm |
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller PlayStation Edition for iPhone White BM3601
Delivery $10
Backbone One Mobile Controller - White (BB-02-WS)
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller (lightning Port) For Iphone (1st
Delivery $15
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone PlayStation Edition New
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Backbone One Mobile Gaming Controller PlayStation Edition for iPhone White - NEW
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Wow, what a fantastic mobile accessory this product truly is. It converts virtually any recent iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Once I hooked my iPhone 11 Pro Max into it I barely recognized it as my phone. I was pleased to find not just PlayStation games, but also Xbox, as well as Apple Arcade. Most of which feel as if they were designed for the Backbone One. Once absorbed into PS Astro’s Playroom it was awkward receiving a (spam) call that brought me back to reality, oh wait, this is on my phone. Setup is quite straight forward, download the backbone app, subscribe to your 1-year free trial, $49.99 auto-renew annually. I set a reminder for next year to decide if I use the service enough to renew or cancel (at any time) Launching various games I was surprised ... MoreWow, what a fantastic mobile accessory this product truly is. It converts virtually any recent iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Once I hooked my iPhone 11 Pro Max into it I barely recognized it as my phone. I was pleased to find not just PlayStation games, but also Xbox, as well as Apple Arcade. Most of which feel as if they were designed for the Backbone One. Once absorbed into PS Astro’s Playroom it was awkward receiving a (spam) call that brought me back to reality, oh wait, this is on my phone. Setup is quite straight forward, download the backbone app, subscribe to your 1-year free trial, $49.99 auto-renew annually. I set a reminder for next year to decide if I use the service enough to renew or cancel (at any time) Launching various games I was surprised the sound was so good, and looked for an integrated speaker on the Backbone One. I guess it’s just using your phone for yet another form of entertainment that made the gaming experience fresh and new. After playing Apple Arcade Star Trek, I then tested the handheld on Xbox Cloud gaming service. The process navigates you to Safari, where you Share Arrow , add to home page, and launch Xbox Cloud to login. Forza Horizon 5, Cool. The service synchronizes with your game progress before launching. Once complete you’re playing your same console game on your phone without the need to be near your console, or take over the family TV. The driving experience wasn’t nearly as FPS fluid, and responsiveness seemed somewhat sluggish so I performed fewer high-speed features and chose more exploratory tasks, though that’s no fault of the Backbone as a controller, and this review is not based on Xbox Cloud’s beta service. Syncing to the PlayStation had a “gotcha”. First you enable Share Play from Settings / System menu, then link. Despite being on the same network, I realized both console and iPhone had to be on same WIFi network. Unplugging the hardwired ethernet cable resolved that and was quickly up an running. The PS Backbone One feels natural, though R1/2 and L1/2 front index finger buttons feature approximately ⅓ of the travel as dedicated PS5 controllers, and slightly smaller buttons, and joysticks, all of which worked flawlessly. Remote play seems well implemented, using Backbone to control what’s also on the console screen. Launching Astro’s Playroom was seamless, and easy to get into gameplay, forgetting you’re using your phone. My only slight niggle was realized at a point in that one particular game where you have to use the PS5 controllers gyroscope to advance. Perhaps the iPhone motion sensor data is not (yet?) implemented or possible future enhancement. Since very few games likely support that its a minuscule issue at most. Pros + fits most (all?) iPhones + expandable base + ultra low-latency + left side headphone jack + single controller for multiple systems + Xbox, PlayStation, Stadia, even Apple Arcade support + record and edit game clips (photo and video) + iPhone 13 Pro Max adapter (14 too?) + No need for a dedicated handheld now Cons -front button travel could have more resistance -buttons slightly small for large hands Conclusion Let me jump right to the chase. This Backbone One so easily integrates with various gaming platforms, I no longer have the desire to purchase a dedicated handheld gaming device. Recommended BUY
Backbone iOS Mobile gaming has evolved the last few years, especially as companies like Microsoft, have dived in to cloud gaming. However, you’re often faced with either using touch controls which tend to be unforgiving, or settling for 3rd party bluetooth controllers that either need to be charged, lose connection, or require you to prop up your smartphone to play a game. So, its not at all surprising that a company would offer a solution that offers both the flexibility of using a controller with easier to use inputs, and the ability to hold your screen at the same time. In the package, you’ll find the Backbone controller, an iPhone 13 adapter to account for the raised camera bump, and a basic quick start guide. Setup of the device is easy on iOS. If you have an ... MoreBackbone iOS Mobile gaming has evolved the last few years, especially as companies like Microsoft, have dived in to cloud gaming. However, you’re often faced with either using touch controls which tend to be unforgiving, or settling for 3rd party bluetooth controllers that either need to be charged, lose connection, or require you to prop up your smartphone to play a game. So, its not at all surprising that a company would offer a solution that offers both the flexibility of using a controller with easier to use inputs, and the ability to hold your screen at the same time. In the package, you’ll find the Backbone controller, an iPhone 13 adapter to account for the raised camera bump, and a basic quick start guide. Setup of the device is easy on iOS. If you have an iPhone 13 Pro, make sure to install the adapter, which allows the camera to clear the back plate. Using the spring tension, simply plug the iPhone into the lightning port, and then rest into the controller. The spring tension does a great job holding the phone in place, and like most iOS accessories with an app, your iPhone will prompt you to install the Backbone software. Once installed, you’re presented with an app walk through of the controllers buttons, including the capture button, backbone button, and the various features of the device. To make things easy, the app will also present you with a 1 year trial, after which you’ll need to pay for a membership fee for Backbone+. If you’re not currently subscribed to Xbox Live, the backbone will come with a 1 month Xbox Live Ultimate free trial to try out Cloud gaming. If you have an Xbox with remote play capability enabled, you’ll be able to use the controller to play those games. The capture button can either be tapped to start a recording, or held to take a screenshot. The Backbone is fairly responsive, with all the button combinations you’d find on a regular Xbox controller. You’ll have both joysticks with button press, L1/2 and R1/2 triggers, and the familiar ABXY and directional pad. I appreciated the ability to play games, such as Halo Infinite, using remote play on my Xbox Series X, and also works with various app based games found on the iOS App Store. This accessory alone has changed my mind with mobile gaming, turning my iPhone 13 into a small gaming device. The Backbone app will also sync with your contacts to provide notification when your friends are also playing a game with their backbone. Ultimately, this device is a great accessory to compliment your mobile gaming and taking a leap into cloud gaming with Xbox or even Stadia. The easy set up, without a need to pair the device, makes this one of the best accessories I’ve ever used with my iPhone for gaming. So, if you’re at all wanting to game with your iPhone, I’d highly recommend this!
Bottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The ... MoreBottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The White / PlayStation edition also uses the triangle/circle/X/square labeling and layout, which will be instantly recognizable to PS players. For remote play, physical buttons open the PS share and start menus much like on the DualSense controller. The BackBone One also has a dedicated button for screenshots/video recording that saves directly to the iPhone Camera Roll, which offers another way to share recordings. Although the BackBone One is a solid iPhone controller, buyers should be aware of two issues. First, the minimalist design can’t accommodate an iPhone case, and so it must be removed each time you want to connect and play. Indeed, the camera bump on the iPhone 13 Pro creates a need for an (included) adapter, since the controller was designed around thinner iPhone models. Second, the buttons are noticeably smaller than they are on a DualSense controller. It’s most noticeable, I think, for the L1 and R1 triggers, since I play a lot of Elden Ring. Despite these two issues, the BackBone One White / PlayStation edition offers full controller support for PS remote play, and it works well with other iOS compatible games.
This was too cool to pass up - I mean, come on turning my phone into a PS5 remote play controller?! I have an iPhone 12 Pro that work issued me, so I fired up my personal iPhone XS and used it in the controller. Overall, it's a great controller experience, but it's hampered by the BackBone software. Out of the box, you basically get the controller and an adapter for fitting the newer iPhone 13's. First thing you should know is that this won't work with any kind of case, slim or otherwise, if it adds depth to the edges of the phone. BackBone made this thing to fit a phone snugly, so no cases. Their website even says that cases won't work and they believe people will pop their phones out of the case to use their controller. A nice feature of the controller is that it ... MoreThis was too cool to pass up - I mean, come on turning my phone into a PS5 remote play controller?! I have an iPhone 12 Pro that work issued me, so I fired up my personal iPhone XS and used it in the controller. Overall, it's a great controller experience, but it's hampered by the BackBone software. Out of the box, you basically get the controller and an adapter for fitting the newer iPhone 13's. First thing you should know is that this won't work with any kind of case, slim or otherwise, if it adds depth to the edges of the phone. BackBone made this thing to fit a phone snugly, so no cases. Their website even says that cases won't work and they believe people will pop their phones out of the case to use their controller. A nice feature of the controller is that it doesn't need to be charged - it runs off the phone's battery when connected. There's also a lightning port on the right control stock which enables pass thru charging. I've played games on it and then plugged it in to charge overnight by going through the BackBone's port. The other stock has a 3.5 headphone jack. I haven't tested the lightning port to see if it works with the newer lightning wired earbuds. The overall build and style of the controller is very nice - it does feel like you're holding a smaller version of a PS4 / PS5 controller. I've tested the controller with the following services and it's worked great: - PS5 Remote Play - Steam Remote Play - Apple Arcade (Castlevania Grimoire of Souls) I was honestly not really impressed with the lag of remote playing my PS5 or Steam games on my older iPhone XS. It could be a limitation of that older phone, but even on a mesh WiFi network with my PS5 and laptop running an ethernet connection, there was really bad delays, pixelations, and overall lag. Plus, it just feels odd to be playing a PS5 game remotely on this thing when it fires up my PS5 and big screen TV to engage remote play - if I'm going to play a game, I might as well play it on the big screen. But that's not who BackBone's targeting with this thing. BackBone is targeting people who want to engage in a community and live stream their playing from this device. As a grown adult who doesn't play a lot, if any, online games these features are nice, but not really interesting for me. Plus, it also really irks me that BackBone essentially gates almost all of the app's functionality behind a paywall. That's right, after buying this thing, you have to sign up for an annual subscription to access anything other than basic functionality on the controller. That was a deal breaker for me. As much as I like the controller, and have fun playing Apple Arcade games with it, I just don't see much use for it other than a novelty item. I keep my phones in cases, I play my PS5 on my big screen and there's no lag. If BackBone really wanted to make this product work for me, they would've opened up more functionality in their companion app... or been more clear about what I would get for my $100 annual subscription. The controller does come with a free year of the service, but I was so disenchanted with it, that I never even activated it.
The Backbone for iPhone for Playstation is aesthetically a great looking device, technically a great idea, and fundamentally a controller that can turn your iPhone into a next-level gaming device. In reality, personally, I feel it needs a lot of improvements to be a true 'Playstation' controller for your iPhone. What Backbone have done, is taken their regular controller, made it white and put some nice, glossy Playstation 5 controller-esque buttons on it, and a couple of proprietary PS functions. But fundamentally, the controller is more geared towards an X-Box or Nintendo Switch set up, than it is a Playstation controller. The biggest elephant in the room with PS vs X-Box vs Nintendo Switch controllers is the off-set joysticks. The Playstation is the only one of ... MoreThe Backbone for iPhone for Playstation is aesthetically a great looking device, technically a great idea, and fundamentally a controller that can turn your iPhone into a next-level gaming device. In reality, personally, I feel it needs a lot of improvements to be a true 'Playstation' controller for your iPhone. What Backbone have done, is taken their regular controller, made it white and put some nice, glossy Playstation 5 controller-esque buttons on it, and a couple of proprietary PS functions. But fundamentally, the controller is more geared towards an X-Box or Nintendo Switch set up, than it is a Playstation controller. The biggest elephant in the room with PS vs X-Box vs Nintendo Switch controllers is the off-set joysticks. The Playstation is the only one of the 3 controllers that has symmetrical joysticks, on the same plane. So to be a 'true' PS controller, this one needed to step up it's game and have the symmetrical joysticks. I've had every iteration of Playstation from One through Five, and the joysticks have always been level and not offset. And while we're talking about the joysticks, they are tiny. Like tiny, tiny. Very similar to the Nintendo Switch controller joysticks, which are also tiny. As far as the aesthetic feel of a PS5 (or 4/3/2/1) controller, this misses the mark. And to a Playstation (only) gamer, this will feel weird. I do occasionally play on my son's Switch, but complain about those controllers all the time to him too! Yes, I am a Sony fan in this respect, and I am reviewing this Backbone controller, as a Sony product fan. Moving on to the better things, I love how they've captures the glossy/clear buttons of the PS5 controller, it being white ties into that design with the black bumper buttons up top. The other buttons are fine, they do what they need to, the Backbone button would have been more complementary in Blue on the controller, but that's a minor thing. Now in this form factor, you aren't going to have the feedback sensors/motors in a controller like this, I totally get it. But a more substantial click from the bumper buttons would be welcome. The way this controller slides open with a spring loaded mechanism makes it very easy to attach your iPhone, and also comes with an adapter to mount an iPhone 13 as well. But... you have to remove your case, this controller does not work with your case on your iPhone. Minor inconvenience, but worth a note. On the bottom edge, right hand side, there is a USB-C charging port to be able to charge your phone while using it, no cable is included tho. On the left hand side there is a 3.5mm jack for hooking up some wired headphones if you so choose. Once you plug your iPhone in, you are prompted to download the Backbone app, set up an account, and even though you get 1 year of Backbone membership with the controller, you are forced to set up a recurring payment with Backbone through Apple, in order to even begin using the controller. Being forced to do that ($50/year), while understandable as Backbone want to make money, was annoying when just trying to get on and try/use the controller. Playing Games: I found the controller to have little lag, depending on the game, which was nice, and games like Gran Turismo 7 played nice and smoothly with the controller. I had some good fun racing around the tracks. The functionality was there, little to no lag, smooth turning, accelerating and brake was all to be found. You can also capture and record clips just like you would on a PS5 controller, with a dedicated button. Moving on to my go-to game, Call of Duty (Cold War in this instance) things got a little different. In a fast paced and frenetic online game, the controller was simply too jerky in it's joystick motion to remain accurate and on target, I tried all sorts of different options, holding the controller slightly differently, and while you could control the game, the sense of urgency required wasn't there and I was habitually second to the trigger. Ultimately ended up quitting out of the game due to the awkward joysticks and feeling like I was always playing second fiddle to the other players. For context, I am not an Elite Gamer, nor am I novice to Call of Duty, I've been playing online consistently since Call of Duty 3. Overall, I really wanted to like this product. It's a quality product, and it's well screwed together, it feels sturdy and durable, it's connectivity is good, little to no latency on smoother games, but frantic, high speed games it struggled, in my experience. The aesthetics are nice too, it looks good. But overall, the joystick layout (and size of them - too small) really make this NOT a dedicated PS controller substitute, and for that reason alone, makes me not want to pick it up. And being forced to sign up for the $50/year subscription right out of the gate, before even testing the product was annoying as well.
I like to dabble in mobile gaming, and more specifically, cloud gaming on the go. I had my eye on this device for my iPhone 13 Pro Max for a while and am excited to finally own one. I had previously been using an Xbox controller with a mount for my phone and while that worked fine, I could tell I had some additional latency, and it was a bulky thing to try and bring with me places. The Backbone One for iOS devices is a really solid and well built controller. It feels like a premium device, with nice clicky buttons, and a decent amount of travel in the sticks and triggers. I immediately noted a significant reduction in input lag on my xCloud gaming with it compared to my Xbox controller, and that has made the experience much more enjoyable. Being so much smaller and ... MoreI like to dabble in mobile gaming, and more specifically, cloud gaming on the go. I had my eye on this device for my iPhone 13 Pro Max for a while and am excited to finally own one. I had previously been using an Xbox controller with a mount for my phone and while that worked fine, I could tell I had some additional latency, and it was a bulky thing to try and bring with me places. The Backbone One for iOS devices is a really solid and well built controller. It feels like a premium device, with nice clicky buttons, and a decent amount of travel in the sticks and triggers. I immediately noted a significant reduction in input lag on my xCloud gaming with it compared to my Xbox controller, and that has made the experience much more enjoyable. Being so much smaller and using the phone’s battery power makes using it a simple affair as well. It thankfully included the adapter for 13 Pro devices, which is necessary for working around their larger camera bumps, and snaps right onto the center rail on the left side of the backbone one. It has a lightning passthrough port for phone charging in the bottom of the right handle, and a 3.5mm jack on the bottom of the left handle, making it a built in 3.5mm adapter which is nice. The controller itself is very comfortable to hold and has all the necessary Xbox buttons to make it work with any of the cloud streaming services available, even controller supported games on Apple Arcade or even PS Remote Play. It even includes a free trial for Xbox game pass ultimate, Apple Arcade, and Google Stadia. I do have a couple small gripes about it, but they don’t detract from the overall experience much. First off, to use it you must remove your very expensive iPhone from its case. Even slim cases will not work it must be totally exposed. I understand why as the lightning connector is fixed in place and cannot be expected to work around a huge variety of potential phone cases, but if you have a case that does not come off easily you will need to reconsider either your case or the backbone one. Secondly, I feel like for an expensive premium device designed and dedicated to portable gaming that it would include at very least some sort of protective sleeve, but it does not have anything of the sort. If you want to protect your controller investment, you’ll need to buy something separately. Lastly, to take full advantage of the Backbone One’s features you’ll need to download the app, and crucially sign up for a free 1-year trial of the Backbone+ service to use it at all. But, to do so you also need to sign up for auto renewal at $49.99 annually to get into that trial. It feels odd to hide the entirety of the app behind a pay wall like that especially at an extremely high price tag. I appreciate a 1-year trial but if I forget to disable auto renewal, I feel like I’ll regret it. I wish there was at least some more basic functionality in the app without the service agreement, but it seems to be all or nothing which is disappointing. I do really like this thing. It’s exactly what I needed to burn as much data on my unlimited plan as I possibly can streaming games when I am on lunch breaks at work. I get a little nervous pulling my phone out of the case to use it, but I quickly get over it when I am putting it to use. If you prefer mobile gaming on iPhone and want to improve your experience as much as possible, this device is for you. I recommend it.
The Backbone One has turnned out to be significantly more awesome than I expected. While I do still question the high price tag of the device, the polish of the user experience (thanks to the Backbone app) really does contribute a lot to the value of the controller and makes it a home run purchase for gamers with an iPhone. I honestly went in to the experience expecting to hate the device - I have an Nvidia Shield TV Pro in my house and I had not had a great experience gaming with it through Geforce Now, and I also had a pretty crappy experience with Amazon Luna this winter. However, once I got the Backbone one set up I jumped into Steam Link and it instantly worked EXACTLY as expected - the Backbone app helps you map buttons to the software automatically, and in ... MoreThe Backbone One has turnned out to be significantly more awesome than I expected. While I do still question the high price tag of the device, the polish of the user experience (thanks to the Backbone app) really does contribute a lot to the value of the controller and makes it a home run purchase for gamers with an iPhone. I honestly went in to the experience expecting to hate the device - I have an Nvidia Shield TV Pro in my house and I had not had a great experience gaming with it through Geforce Now, and I also had a pretty crappy experience with Amazon Luna this winter. However, once I got the Backbone one set up I jumped into Steam Link and it instantly worked EXACTLY as expected - the Backbone app helps you map buttons to the software automatically, and in general it "just works." The controller itself feels similar quality to (if a bit smaller than) the joy cons for a Nintendo Switch. With an iPhone X in the frame, the size and weight are small enough that my hands didn't cramp as much as they do when holding a Switch for extended periods. The buttons are pretty clicky, though, so be aware this isn't exactly the most discrete device to game in bed or in a quiet room. The input lag for the controller itself is totally unnoticeable - when set to connect to a PC (without the iPhone in frame) it was just as responsive as a wired Xbox controller. In fact, I played some cyberpunk last night at my desk and was really surprised that it was playable on my monitor despite streaming through Steam Link to the Backbone One. I feel like there's an opportunity there for Backbone to make a PC companion app and make this a full fledged PC controller with a huge display for onscreen keyboard and mouse controls. It would be the perfect controller for a living room gaming PC in that guise. The Backbone software makes it really easy to take screenshots and record highlight videos. I recorded a video from CyberPunk a few days ago and the process of saving the video, then trimming it in the Backbone app and uploading to Youtube was incredibly easy. The video quality of the exported video is very good, as well. Of course, on the small screen of the iPhone the compression artifacts are even less noticeable. I definitely would include the Backbone One on your list of cool gift ideas for an iOS gamer in your house. The overall implementation is just really well done and kind of amazing that Backbone wasn't snatched up by a more established gaming company. Give it a shot!
PROS: - Easy to connect - Included adapter for iPhone 13 Pro Max - Small size, but very comfortable - Pass-through charging - Headphone jack - Free year of Backbone+ CONS: - Apple might switch iPhones to USB-C soon == SETUP == You will need to install the Backbone app on your iPhone. If you connect the Backbone One without it, you'll be prompted to go to the App Store to get it. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, but by buying the new PlayStation edition, you do get a free year of Backbone+ membership for free. I would connect your iPhone to the Lightning port first, then extend the other end of the Backbone to lock your phone in. If you have the new iPhone 13 Pro Max, there's an included adapter so your phone will fit. == USING THE ... MorePROS: - Easy to connect - Included adapter for iPhone 13 Pro Max - Small size, but very comfortable - Pass-through charging - Headphone jack - Free year of Backbone+ CONS: - Apple might switch iPhones to USB-C soon == SETUP == You will need to install the Backbone app on your iPhone. If you connect the Backbone One without it, you'll be prompted to go to the App Store to get it. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, but by buying the new PlayStation edition, you do get a free year of Backbone+ membership for free. I would connect your iPhone to the Lightning port first, then extend the other end of the Backbone to lock your phone in. If you have the new iPhone 13 Pro Max, there's an included adapter so your phone will fit. == USING THE BACKBONE APP == This is the easiest way to navigate through all your games and various game services when using the Backbone One. It automatically finds any games you already have on your phone, but will also include other game suggestions from every other game streaming service. The game search is really cool. You can either look for any game based on whatever genre you want, or you can just search for a specific game to see which service it's available on. You can get results for just about every popular service: Apple App Store, PlayStation Network, Xbox Game Pass, Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Steam Link, and even Amazon Luna. You can also take in-game screenshots and video recordings from the app using the dedicated button under the left direction pad. All your saved images and video clips can be accessed and shared from within the Backbone app. == BUILD QUALITY == I have bigger hands and was initially worried about how long I could play before it became uncomfortable. Thankfully, the Backbone One found a nice sweet-spot of being small enough for portability, but not too small to become uncomfortable. The build quality feels amazing! It's very sturdy and doesn't bend or twist while your phone is connected. The buttons are very clicky, the triggers are nice and springy, and the thumb sticks (while small) feel really good. I don't know what the next couple years will bring, but hopefully I don't need to worry too much about stick drift. == PLAYSTATION EDITION == I've owned every PlayStation (except the PS5, thanks scalpers...) and even owned the original PSP. I missed out on the PS Vita, but was still bummed out to learn that Sony was giving up on handhelds. While we aren't going to see a new successor to the Vita, this version of the Backbone is as close as we're going to get! I love that with just a few minor adjustments to the original Backbone, we have this beauty. I love playing my PS games on my phone with this controller! Sure, you could always just use a PS4/5 controller with a phone clip, but this is a MUCH more elegant solution (and much less bulk). == BOTTOM LINE == I definitely find myself playing much more games on my phone now than before. It's very compact, no Bluetooth connection to worry about, you can charge your phone while playing, and the buttons feel great. If you (or someone you know) is a big PlayStation fan and enjoys mobile gaming, this is AWESOME!
The Backbone One is the first controller accessory I’ve ever had for my phone and I’m excited to share my thoughts about it with all of you. I’ll be using this with my iPhone 12 and reviewing it with several services, but specifically using PlayStation Remote Play. I’ll be posting my overall impressions first in case you don’t want to read the entire thing. My overall experience with the Backbone One was a positive one. Other than it missing a hard case or the ability to fold down for a smaller travel footprint, the device is a completely solid, well-built, and essential accessory for anyone wanting to elevate their mobile gaming. The ability to have actual physical controls for these games is a game changer and makes mobile gaming much more approachable for those ... MoreThe Backbone One is the first controller accessory I’ve ever had for my phone and I’m excited to share my thoughts about it with all of you. I’ll be using this with my iPhone 12 and reviewing it with several services, but specifically using PlayStation Remote Play. I’ll be posting my overall impressions first in case you don’t want to read the entire thing. My overall experience with the Backbone One was a positive one. Other than it missing a hard case or the ability to fold down for a smaller travel footprint, the device is a completely solid, well-built, and essential accessory for anyone wanting to elevate their mobile gaming. The ability to have actual physical controls for these games is a game changer and makes mobile gaming much more approachable for those used to PC and console gaming. If you’re looking for a premium gaming experience for your iPhone, look no further than the Backbone One. Unboxing/Build Quality: Unboxing the Backbone One makes you feel like you’ve purchased a premium device. The box is made of a soft velvety material and the Backbone is packaged front and center in a minimalistic way. You’ll get the Backbone One, an iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max adapter, and a quick start card, along with safety instructions that you’ll probably never read. The device itself is light but solidly built. Once attached to your phone, it feels solid and like it’s a natural attachment for your iPhone. The buttons and analog sticks feel good, the triggers are also decent, but could use a little more resistance in my opinion. The D-Pad is a little on the mushy side, but overall the controller is built very well and feels solid. Anyone that has played on a PlayStation or Xbox controller will feel right at home with the layout. The only drawback I can see with the Backbone One in comparison with other units is the fact that it doesn’t fold up or come with a carrying case of any sort. Traveling with the Backbone One might be a little bit challenging when not attached to a phone. I have a fear that I may end up breaking the back support of the unit if I were to cram it into a backpack during a flight without a proper hard case. For the price, I think a case should have been included. Functionality/Ease of Use/Gameplay: The Backbone One is super easy to use. You’ll probably have to take the case off your phone to get the Backbone connected, but that’s pretty standard for devices like these. Once you connect it to your phone, you’ll be asked to download the Backbone application from the App Store. Once downloaded you’ll be granted 1 year of Backbone Plus which gives you a bunch of benefits as an owner of the product. None of these limit the ability to use the product but are niceties like access to a streamlined game hub, direct live streaming, and the ability to share gameplay and screenshots easily. You’ll also get some free benefits from places like Discord, Stadia, etc. To test the PlayStation Remote Play functionality, you’ll download the PlayStation Remote Play application from the App Store and sign in to your PlayStation account. After you’ve linked your desired console, in my case a PS5, you’ll see the home screen of your device on your phone and be able to navigate it just as if you were using the native controller in front of your console. The input response, video quality, and smoothness of the games I streamed were all very good. Everything from Demons Souls, to Spider-Man and Uncharted played fantastically via Remote Play on my Wifi 6 mesh network. I only experienced a few hiccups with the connection when moving locations in the house, but other than those few occasions where I felt a little lag or visual distortion, the experience was great. Don’t forget you can also stream from your Xbox or pick a streaming service like Stadia to stream from. Streaming from the Xbox was a smooth experience as well, minus the fact that the buttons aren’t labeled correctly for an Xbox controller, but that doesn’t hinder the experience much. Local gameplay is also fantastic. I played a ton of Diablo Immortal with the Backbone One and it was a great experience. CoD Mobile worked just as well and felt completely natural to play with the Backbone One. All other games that support a controller should also play great with the Backbone One.
The Backbone PlayStation Edition makes me wish I bought the larger iPhone Pro Max for the extra screen size and battery life for mobile gaming. I hadn’t really paid attention to mobile gaming because I have a PC and PS5 and I didn’t have much interest in mobile games but the Backbone paired with PS Remote Play had opened my eyes to completely different remote gaming capabilities. Please note, your remote gameplay experience is going to be largely determined by both your internet speed/quality at home as well as where you are currently trying to play from. Anywhere you have LTE (4G or 5G) you should be fine. Setup for Backbone and PS Remote Play was simple. You download the Backbone app and then walk through setup. A subscription allows you to access Backbone’s ... MoreThe Backbone PlayStation Edition makes me wish I bought the larger iPhone Pro Max for the extra screen size and battery life for mobile gaming. I hadn’t really paid attention to mobile gaming because I have a PC and PS5 and I didn’t have much interest in mobile games but the Backbone paired with PS Remote Play had opened my eyes to completely different remote gaming capabilities. Please note, your remote gameplay experience is going to be largely determined by both your internet speed/quality at home as well as where you are currently trying to play from. Anywhere you have LTE (4G or 5G) you should be fine. Setup for Backbone and PS Remote Play was simple. You download the Backbone app and then walk through setup. A subscription allows you to access Backbone’s library of remote game catalogs. If you don’t want to use subscription games, you can use PS Remote Play which grants you access to any digital games in your PSN library, or any games with a disc in your PS4/5. Setup was again simple, you login to your PSN account on both the Backbone and your PS. Then you open the PS Remote Play app on your iPhone and it will search and remember your PS and find it anywhere on the internet later. Once connected, the quality and lack of latency is stunning as the phone and console are almost perfectly in sync by just a few frames. If you were in a different room I’m not sure if you would even notice any latency. Build quality is excellent on the Backbone and the white look and clear number and dpad caps match the PS5 DualSense controller aesthetic almost perfectly. The haptic feedback is great but obviously not as good as the best in industry DualSense. Some additional cool features is that the phone connects directly using lightning port so it connects quickly with minimal latency. You can also connect a lightning cable to the Backbone for pass through power while gaming so you can minimize battery drain while gaming during longer sessions. You can also connect wireless BT headsets to your phone but you can also use 3.5mm mini Jack headsets to the Backbone. In terms of PS Remote Play, it takes about 60 seconds to remotely connect to and start playing games from your PS5. Your PS5 must be on standby mode, connected to the internet, and have the game disc of the installed game you want to play. If you have a digital copy that will work too. All buttons for all games are mapped natively and perfectly without additional confit. A few things of note: 1. It’s rumored iPhone 14 or 15 will switch to USB-C which will necessitate a Backbone v2. 2. The Backbone will NOT work with a case so make sure you are willing to take your case off each time you use it. 3. The $55/yr subscription can be cancelled but is not optional for initial setup of Backbone app, which is annoying. I’ve really enjoyed the Backbone, it helped me get through a recent unexpected hospital stay which is quite possibly the most boring place on the planet.
| Width (Contracted) | 176.2mm |
| Width (Extended) | 257.6mm |
