iPad mini USB-C game controller for iPad mini 6

[Barsal]

Hi all!

I was doing some research but haven't got anything reliable. I was wondering if there is any controller that can be connected to the iPad mini 6 via USB-C like this one.

GameSir 2021 Version X2 Type-C Mobile Game Controller for Android Phone (Max 173mm) Xbox Cloud Gaming Google Stadia, 51° Movable Type-C Plug and Play E-Sports Gamepad, with Controller Bag

GameSir 2021 Version X2 Type-C Mobile Game Controller for Android Phone (Max 173mm) Xbox Cloud Gaming Google Stadia, 51° Movable Type-C Plug and Play E-Sports Gamepad, with Controller Bag

www.amazon.com

 

[acctman]

Xbox Series X or Xbox Elite 1 or 2 controllers

 

[Barsal]

Xbox Series X or Xbox Elite 1 or 2 controllers

I already have DualShock PS4 and 5 controllers, I was looking for something like the link, that you can play like in a Nintendo Switch.

 

[Flabasha]

Yeah, I’d buy this in an instant as well, but no one has made one. I have the Razer Kishi for my phone, but a Kishi for the mini would be perfect.

Kinda surprised, with Apple trying to push Apple Arcade so hard (and the Steamdeck incoming), that they didn’t coordinate a controller like this at launch…

 

[oneflipgguy]

I’m hoping Backbone will make a version for the iPad mini.

 

[ianziguri]

You'd have to research further, but I'd recommend the SN30 range of pads from 8BitDo

 

[Barsal]

I found this one, any opinions?

Ipega PG-9167 mando Gamepad para iOS/Android teléfono inteligente Tablet PC, puede ser operado con una sola mano o ambas manos y conexión directa directamente jugar juego

NOTE:(support Android 6.0 or above, iOS11.0--13.3system,Does NOT support ios13.4 13.5 system,Not compatible with MediaTek chip devices), NOTE：Android V3 direct-play mode:(This mode doesn"t support to operate game under single-hand gamepad) press and hold down the D-pad button RIGHT + HOME button ...

www.amazon.com

 

[atonaldenim]

did you find any good solution? I’m wishing for this too…

 

[Barsal]

did you find any good solution? I’m wishing for this too…

Not at all… I bought the one I indicated before but it was useless 🥲 had to return it.

 

[atonaldenim]

Sorry to hear that, yeah iPega seems to have sell many different controllers, with different claims for iOS compatibility, I find it very confusing.

But I did some more searching, with iOS 16 adding support for Nintendo Switch controllers, it seems users are already starting to design and 3D print mounting brackets to fit Switch Joy-Cons on an iPad Mini. Here's one for sale on eBay.

First versions seem a little clunky but I imagine better designs could be possible? Since it just requires designing a good piece of plastic I hope more commercial options might appear once iOS 16 is officially released. This seems promising since Nintendo controllers are probably better quality than random Amazon brands like iPega, and being officially supported by Apple.

I also hope if more iOS devices switch from Lightning to USB-C in the next year, that more USB-C wired controllers with iOS compatibility will become available. Gamevice is still around, they made the Razer Kishi V1, and they've released new Lightning controllers for the latest 10" iPad and iPhone. In the past they have made an iPad Mini-sized controller (with Lightning) so here's hoping they do another Mini version with USB-C.

For a different controller style, I recently got the Nyko Smart Clip for PS4 Dualshock which is the only controller mount of this kind I've found that opens wide enough to fit an iPad Mini. It works ok, the hinge and iPad clip seem plenty strong, but the plastic body that rests flush on top of the controller feels thin and weak relative to the size of the iPad. There are not a lot of good angles for balancing the weight of the iPad over the controller. The mount seems to sometimes cause a phantom button press on the controller, but that hasn't been a big problem for me yet. Best angle I found so far is lying in bed with the controller resting on my stomach.

Unbox Therapy on YouTube showed a similar setup with a discontinued Sony mount that I can't find anywhere, that used a suction cup, so theoretically could mount any size device. But I agree the Switch style makes the most sense!

 

[atonaldenim]

Hi all!

I was doing some research but haven't got anything reliable. I was wondering if there is any controller that can be connected to the iPad mini 6 via USB-C like this one.

GameSir 2021 Version X2 Type-C Mobile Game Controller for Android Phone (Max 173mm) Xbox Cloud Gaming Google Stadia, 51° Movable Type-C Plug and Play E-Sports Gamepad, with Controller Bag

GameSir 2021 Version X2 Type-C Mobile Game Controller for Android Phone (Max 173mm) Xbox Cloud Gaming Google Stadia, 51° Movable Type-C Plug and Play E-Sports Gamepad, with Controller Bag

www.amazon.com

OK I finally found a Gamesir X2 style controller that works in wired mode! I bought this “Megadream” controller from Amazon, it’s a ShanWan BSP-D3 sold under other names as well. Around $30, cheaper than the Gamesir, probably a bit lower quality too, but works well enough.

Like the Backbone One controller, this has a USB-C port on the bottom of the left hand grip, and connecting that to my iPad Mini 6’s USB-C port and turning off bluetooth confirms that it indeed works wired. First turn on the controller in PS4 mode (B+Power) and then connect the USB and it will act as a wired PS4 controller for good iOS compatibility.

As a primarily bluetooth controller it doesn’t have a USB port in the ideal spot like wired-only controller grips, but this is the first controller grip like this I’ve seen that works with iPad in wired mode at ALL over USB-C. Except the Backbone One’s “Play On Any Screen” feature which requires a subscription.

Physically it won’t fit an iPad Mini 6 in horizontal/landscape orientation, but does fit in vertical/portrait orientation. You’d have to hack it to make it fit an iPad Mini in landscape like a Switch. I think I’m going to try to remove the spring and attach mine to a magnetic folio case as the mounting system, and maybe try to work in a right angle USB-C cable.

To open it wide enough for iPad Mini you’d need this longer data cable, part number 538-15166-0182 at Mouser Electronics, I confirmed this one works to replace the stock cable that’s too short. The OEM spring also probably won’t work, you’ll have to figure something out for that.

I wrote a longer review on Amazon that will hopefully go live soon. If you’re interested, ask me anything!

 

[atonaldenim]

FINALLY now that iPhone 15 uses USB-C, we're seeing wired iOS compatible game controllers with USB-C connectors. Here's two controllers from Gamesir with USB-C and iOS support, that should work with iPad Mini 6 (still the current iPad Mini 2.5 years after this thread started, lol).

GameSir X2S - $46 USD
Hall effect joysticks and analog trigger buttons (no joystick drift)
Compact size, rounded rectangle Switch-style controllers
Can be extended to iPad width without physical modification, just force/flex the two halves beyond the plastic stoppers
USB-C port on left
No headphone jack
YouTube video review from Retro Game Corps showing tablet compatibility
edit: GameSir video shows it's compatible with PS Remote Play app on iOS

GameSir G8 Galileo - $72 USD
Hall effect joysticks and analog trigger buttons
Larger ergonomic size controllers, less portable but more comfortable
Requires (easy) physical modification to open shell and cut down plastic stoppers, to allow stretching to iPad size
USB-C port on right
Headphone jack
YouTube video from RetroBreeze showing how to mod for tablet compatibility
edit: a YouTuber commenter advises adding some padding to avoid the iPad Mini's volume button being pressed.

X2S photos

double duty coil springs carry data and clamping force, can stretch to tablet size

how it looks on a 10" Android tablet

G8 Galileo photos

how it looks on an 8" Android mini tablet

and on a 12" Android tablet

how to mod - open shell and trim off the plastic stoppers, so it can stretch to tablet size

 

[Barsal]

I would love to try those, but I'm to bad at opening devices I'm afraid I will break it 🥲 I don't understand why they don't make iPad mini (and other tablets) version...

 

[leifp]

As mentioned by atonaldenim:

GameSir X2S - $46 USD
…
Can be extended to iPad width without physical modification

 

[Barsal]

Hi everyone! 😊 I found this one in AliExpress:

Tried yesterday with XCloud and it's quite comfortable. The only issue is that the iPad recognizes it as a DualShock 4, so Apple Arcade games will show the PS buttons and it can be a bit confusing.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I would love to have a USB joystick to use with the flight simulators on both phone and iMac.

 

[atonaldenim]

Hi everyone! 😊 I found this one in AliExpress:

View attachment 2365752

Tried yesterday with XCloud and it's quite comfortable. The only issue is that the iPad recognizes it as a DualShock 4, so Apple Arcade games will show the PS buttons and it can be a bit confusing.

right on, that iPega is bluetooth only right?

 

[atonaldenim]

Here it is! The first? USB-C controller specifically designed to fit iPad Mini 6: Razer Kishi Ultra.

$150
Xbox layout w/ full size controls
Hall-effect triggers (but not analog sticks?)
L4/R4 programmable buttons
Headphone jack
Vibration feedback motors (not supported on iOS?)
USB-C passthrough charging
RGB lighting
Fits USB-C phones and iPad mini 6, 8” Android tablets natively
Also works with iPad and Windows PC via USB-C cable
Razer Nexus app for button remapping, screen capture, game catalog

Looks beefy! More ergonomic than portable. A little too expensive for me I think. Spotted on 9to5Toys.

 

[Barsal]

Here it is! The first? USB-C controller specifically designed to fit iPad Mini 6: Razer Kishi Ultra.

$150
Xbox layout w/ full size controls
Hall-effect triggers (but not analog sticks?)
L4/R4 programmable buttons
Headphone jack
Vibration feedback motors (not supported on iOS?)
USB-C passthrough charging
RGB lighting
Fits USB-C phones and iPad mini 6, 8” Android tablets natively
Also works with iPad and Windows PC via USB-C cable
Razer Nexus app for button remapping, screen capture, game catalog

Looks beefy! More ergonomic than portable. A little too expensive for me I think. Spotted on 9to5Toys.

They took their time! 🤣 I'm happy with mine for now (which is connected by Bluetooth btw), even though Razer one seems more comfortable.

 

[enc0re]

Man that Razer is expensive.

Still, as soon as Geforce Now has an app for iPad, I can totally see myself buying that. Might be worth it just for Delta emulator.

 

[atonaldenim]

Spotted this Kickstarter today for a USB-C game controller large enough for iPad Mini 6. Looks similar in design and features to the Gamesir G8 Galileo, except it doesn’t require any modding, it’s big enough for iPad Mini out of the box. It also says it includes silicone spacers that would be helpful so the iPad’s buttons don’t get pressed in while clamped, convenient that you don’t have to make your own.

It also includes bluetooth functionality, as well as the USB-C port. But I don’t see any info about how you’d clamp a device into the controller without using the USB-C port. So I guess the bluetooth is just for using it unattached from a device? EDIT: actually it seems bluetooth is offered because it allows more button remapping abilities that aren’t possible over USB-C? As it doesn’t have a battery it actually must be connected to a device or charging cable to work over a bluetooth connection.

abxylute S9 controller is about $65 USD shipped, with the early bird price that ends today. And after that early bird offer ends, about $76 until the campaign ends 9/28. I’m not familiar with this company but apparently they’ve shipped game controllers before.

 

[slu9]

@atonaldenim Man, I signed up for this forum specifically to follow this thread and you just made it worth it. I went ahead and backed it - hoping it's almost certain to be fulfilled (in time) since they just have to send some specs to China. Not exactly a unique product. Anyone have experience with this kind of Kickstarter before? I've never backed a hardware project quasi-preorder.

 

[atonaldenim]

cool I hope it works out! I think the rule of thumb with crowdfunding campaigns is that things will always take longer than they expect, so be prepared to be patient. I watched some of the video reviews linked on their Kickstarter page and it does look like it could be a pretty good option. Looks better than the Gamesir in several ways - better iOS app, swappable D-pad, quieter buttons, not to mention correctly sized. It’s good to see that they already have pre-production units to send reviewers, so should be pretty likely to actually ship.

let us know your thoughts when you get it!

 

[Stable Entropy]

Has anyone tried the GameSir G8 Plus? https://www.gamesir.hk/products/g8plus-bluetooth-mobile-controller

Looks like an all around winner and great to have a solution that doesn't require modding. Do wonder about the increased weight though.

 

[slu9]

hey folks, i got the S9 today for my mini 6. working with Delta and Retroarch out of the box. the fit feels solid -- way better than the razer kishi i was using on my phone. as for the buttons and sticks, it feels about the same as 8bitdo gear i've used. the rubber part on the left that goes against the top of the ipad is sized to fit juuuuust between the volume and lock/power button, like millimeters clearance. i use a smart folio so would take it out of that to use this, but i might get a slim case so those buttons are depressed and the S9 is less likely to hit them. it has another inch or two of stretch so i don't think even a bulky case would be a problem.

HOWEVER don't consider this an endorsement, the thing is pretty damn expensive (i paid $65 on kickstarter, it's $70 and that's supposedly an early price before it goes to $99) and i totally expect bugs to come up. passthrough charging is working now but was a little weird initially. i might come back and edit this in a week or so after using it, but in the meantime if you guys have any questions or want pictures let me know. i'm gonna be playing some SNES/GBA games, which look so gorgeous on the mini's screen.