Can you connect Nintendo switch controller to iPhone or iPad? You might enjoy playing games on your iPhone for short periods of time, but it can be irritating to play for longer stretches.
There are all kinds of controllers that are made to play on the iPhone because people are looking to make the experience more enjoyable.
When you use these controllers, you don’t have to use the touchscreen any longer. The trade off is that you have to buy them.
If you already have a controller, such as a Nintendo Switch controller, you might wonder if you can use it on your iPhone. Continue reading to find out.
Can You Connect Nintendo Switch Controller to iPhone Or iPad?
Although you can connect a lot of different devices to the iPhone using Bluetooth, you won’t be able to connect the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or a Joy Con.
This is unfortunate because you can use the controllers of Nintendo competitors, including the Sony PlayStation and the Microsoft Xbox.
People often think that this makes no sense because both the iOS and the Nintendo Switch use Bluetooth. The question is, “Is there a way around this issue?”
Sadly, it isn’t that simple. It takes more than Bluetooth functionality for devices to be compatible and work together. Apple has requirements for any business that wants to build a product that is compatible with iOS devices.
They require that companies become accredited and obtain documentation, and the products need to work with the iPhone, iPad, and the iOS system in general.
If a company meets the requirements, Apple will give them a license. However, the application process can be intimidating and some companies don’t even take the time to try.
The label “Made for iPhone (Mfi)” tells you whether a device is compatible or not. If devices are not compatible and are missing this label, as in the case of the Nintendo Switch controllers, it simply means that Apple and Nintendo haven’t tried to work together to make them compatible.
The reality is that if Apple desired to have these controllers be compatible with their devices, they have the ability to do so without Nintendo’s input.
They have made other controllers, such as the Dualshock and the Xbox controller, compatible through a firmware update.
They have not done this with the Nintendo controllers and while it could change in the future, you can’t use the controllers now. That being said, you can use your Nintendo controllers on your computer and on Android devices.
They use Bluetooth to connect, so you can check to see what they are compatible with. However, if you want to play on your iPhone, you need to buy a Mfi controller or use the Xbox wireless controller or the Dualshock 4.
How To Connect Nintendo Switch To Mobile Hotspot
There are a lot of great features available when you have your Nintendo Switch connected to the Internet. You can access the Nintendo EShop, play online games such as Fortnite, or play with other people.
In addition, some games have online features that you can only access when you have an Internet connection.
If you’re away from home without WiFi but you have a mobile phone with a hotspot, you can connect your Nintendo Switch and access the online features available.
This is a great option for people who want to use these features while they are away from WiFi. It is important to check your smartphone’s data plan.
If you have an unlimited plan, you will be fine; however, some phones get a certain amount of data at a particular speed and then they slow it down after that for the rest of the billing cycle.
This can be true with unlimited plans, so you want to know what your plan says so that you don’t end up with slow data speeds for the last half of the month.
You should also try to learn how much data your games take because that can impact your data plan for the month. Some games use less data than others while you are playing.
If you have an iPhone and want to connect your Nintendo Switch to your hotspot, you will want to use the WiFi hotspot. You can set it up on your phone pretty easily by following these steps:
- Open the settings on your phone
- Select Personal Hotspot
- Make sure that the Personal Hotspot is set to Allow Others to Join
- Look at the WiFi password
- Change the password or use the one that is there
- Enter the password on your Switch to join
- Get connected
It is a simple process as long as you have a Personal Hotspot within your cellular service plan. Your Switch will work just as if it is connected to WiFi at home.
If you have an Android phone, the process is a little different. You can set up a WiFi hotspot from your phone following these steps:
- Open the settings
- Select Network & Internet
- Select Hotspot & Tethering
- Select WiFi Hotspot
- Turn the Hotspot on
- Look at the network name and password
- Enter them on your Switch
No matter which smartphone you have, you need to connect your Switch once you turn on the hotspot on your phone.
It is easy to do. In fact, it is the same as when you connect it to your wireless network at home or anywhere else. You can follow these steps:
- Go to Settings from the Home Screen of your Switch
- Select Internet
- Select Internet Settings
- Search for networks
- Select your phone’s Hotspot from the Networks Found list
- Enter the password for your phone’s hotspot and select OK
As long as your phone has a signal, your Switch will stay connected to the Internet. If your cell drops service in a bad area, you will probably have to reconnect the Hotspot but it is easy to do.
You just need a signal and you can connect your Switch to your phone anytime, anywhere.
Final Thoughts
If you play games on your iPhone, you might wonder if you can use your Nintendo Switch controller. Unfortunately, it is not compatible.
Apple has a process where companies need to register with them to make devices that are compatible with iOS products and Nintendo has never done this.
Although Apple could choose to update their firmware to allow the controllers from Nintendo to be compatible, they haven’t done it yet.
You can use your Nintendo Controllers on your Android devices and on your computers, though. If you want to use your Nintendo Switch while you are away from home, you can connect it to the hotspot on your phone.
This works for both your iPhone and your Android phone as long as you have a hotspot included in your cellular service plan.
You will need to enable the hotspot, and then get the name of the network and the password so that you can connect your Switch.
This will allow you to play games on your Nintendo Switch and access the online features when you are traveling or out of range of your WiFi.
This makes it very convenient to take your Nintendo Switch with you. You can always play without the Internet if you have cartridge games, but you can use your hotspot to access online features.
