

Thanks to the ‘A, B, X, Y’ and ‘hamburger’ menu buttons, I felt right at home as an Xbox gamer. The unit also sports two clickable asymmetrical analog sticks within a great feeling ergonomic housing. The layout style and overall aesthetic are closest to an Xbox controller. The controller is solid, and the buttons are springy and very responsive. The controller has a solid feel in your hands, with a footprint that is slightly smaller than a Nintendo Switch. There are two sides to Backbone One’s feature set: the hardware and “all-in-one” software. The tutorial will walk you through the different functions of the software, but you’ll be ready to play in minutes.
Xbox backbone install#
Pop your iPhone into the controller cradle, install the Backbone app and you are ready to start playing. When you open the box, a small cue card guides you through the setup process, though even without it, getting up and running is straightforward. Thankfully, the support bar that holds your iPhone is very secure. You don’t want to be fumbling around to remove and store your phone’s case with every use of the device. It’s one of the few odd design decisions with the Backbone, especially with a device built for travel. The manufacturer says a limited number of cases work, but I have yet to find one and it would need to feature a razor-thin design.

The added thickness will not allow the lighting connector to reach your iPhone’s port. One important note while attaching the Backbone controller: you likely can’t keep your phone case on when you’re using it. A limited number of cases work with the Backbone I was using an iPhone 11 in my testing, which was easy to dock in the Backbone and always remained firmly situated.
Xbox backbone free#
Apple’s latest iPhone requires a free adapter for the best fit, so make sure to pick one up if you decide to purchase the unit.
Xbox backbone full#
The full iPhone compatibility list is found here, with the biggest caveat coming with the new iPhone 13 Pro or 13 Pro Max. The internal mechanism pulls apart in one smooth movement, letting you fit just about any iPhone size into the Backbone controller. What’s especially impressive is the way the slider works in combination with the collapsible design. You’ll really be able to put the hardware through its paces with games like Forza Horizon 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Psychonauts 2, and more. In the box, you’ll find the Backbone One controller, a ‘Quick Start Guide,’ and a ‘Safety Sheet.’īackbone now offers a free 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass for new subscribers, which further sweetens the deal. The presentation of the hardware, when unboxing, is minimalist and very convenient.

While unboxing the controller, I was quite impressed with the gamepad’s overall design. From the excellent hardware to well-designed software, let’s take a deep dive into how the Backbone One performs with gaming on the go. The Backbone has also arrived at a critical time, especially with major home console brands like PlayStation, Xbox and Stadia using cloud technology to let gamers play just about anywhere with a strong internet connection. The Backbone eliminates this issue with its own responsive tactile buttons, triggers and Xbox-like asymmetrical clickable joysticks. Gaming on a smartphone has presented a few barriers - namely, that not having physical buttons detracts from the experience. The controller and proprietary app offer one of the most seamless mobile gaming controller experiences on the mobile market today. If you’re looking to take your mobile gaming to the next level, the Backbone One for the iPhone offers several excellent features that make it stand out from the pack.
