iOS 16 has a surprising gaming feature — here’s how to use it

A closeup view of a Nintendo 64 original controller.
(Image credit: Tonelson Productions | Shutterstock)

iOS 16 launched with many heavily requested features, but surely no-one saw the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis and N64 controllers getting compatibility with the newly updated iOS and tvOS 16.1.  If you did, then your wildest dreams have come true.

Smartphone touch screens are pretty intuitive — but for generations of gamers, Nintendo’s controllers were as familiar as the back of their hands. Clearly, Apple is a fan too with this latest addition of retro controllers following on from June’s integration of Nintendo Switch Joy-Con and Pro Controllers.

Interestingly this compatibility hasn’t been mentioned by Apple in the list of iOS 16.1 new features but was instead unearthed by users. Tech commentator Steve Troughton-Smith tweeted about his discovery, including a short clip of him using the D-pad of his SNES controller on an Apple TV. 

Of course, there is no N64 controller port on the iPhone 14  so it’s not quite time to dust off the consoles in the attic. 

The iOS and tvOS support comes for the Bluetooth versions Nintendo re-released for the Switch. Still, owners of these devices should welcome the chance to play some of the best iOS games with classic controllers. It’s barely a minute’s work to flashback decades to the golden age of gaming.

It’s a very similar process to connecting, say, Apple Airpods, but here’s a quick walkthrough.  
 

 How to connect classic controllers to iOS 16.1 

1.  On your iOS 16.1 device, tap the Settings app.
2.  Select Bluetooth and make sure it is turned on. You should see a list of nearby devices.
3.  On the controller hold down the pairing button, the lights on the controller should start flashing.
4.  On the Apple device tap the name of the controller to connect. 

 How to connect classic controllers to tvOS 16.1 

1. Use your remote to navigate to Settings.
2. Under the settings menu, choose Remotes and Devices.
3. On the controller hold down the pairing button, the lights on the controller should start flashing.
4. The name of the controller should appear on the screen, select it to connect.  

Andy is a freelance writer with a passion for streaming and VPNs. Based in the U.K., he originally cut his teeth at Tom's Guide as a Trainee Writer before moving to cover all things tech and streaming at T3. Outside of work, his passions are movies, football (soccer) and Formula 1. He is also something of an amateur screenwriter having studied creative writing at university.

Read more
Genshin Impact on a OnePlus Nord 4
Genshin Impact on Android finally adds controller support — 4 years after iOS
iPhone 16 Pro Max gaming.
I ditched my Legion Go to game on the iPhone 16 Pro Max — here's what happened
MCON mobile game controller with Samsung Galaxy Fold playing mobile game
The MCON gaming controller lets you turn your phone into a modern PSP Go — here's how
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
Just got a new iPhone 16? Try these 10 features first
Apple Vision Pro
Apple Vision Pro on track for PlayStation VR 2 controller support — here’s what we know
razer kishi v2 review
Best phone controllers 2025: take your mobile gaming to the next level
Latest in Gaming
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date just tipped — here's when you might be able to buy
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Monday, March 24 (#652)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #386 (Monday, March 24 2025)
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Sunday, March 23 (#651)
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #385 (Sunday, March 23 2025)
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 rumored specs — here’s what we know so far
Latest in News
NFL Sunday Ticket logo for YouTube
NFL Sunday Ticket 2025 pricing revealed — and it's bad news
Ben Mendelsohn in Andor season 2
'Welcome to the Rebellion' — new ‘Andor’ season 2 trailer teases a darker edge
Russian flag with padlock smashing through glass
47 VPNs could be axed from Google Play Store following Russian demands
ChatGPT on iPhone
ChatGPT was down — updates on quick outage
Emma D'Arcy in House of the Dragon season 2
‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 has officially begun filming — what it could mean for the potential release window
AirPods Max in various colors
AirPods Max is getting a big update with lossless audio and ultra-low latency — here's how it works