I've been trying to use my iPhone as a portable gaming machine for years, but I often hit the same roadblocks when trying to have it replace my Nintendo Switch when I travel. And it's not for lack of Apple and other companies putting in the effort, as there are tons of games available for the iPhone, between titles that run directly from the device to more-intensive games that I can stream over a strong internet connection.
Gaming on the iPhone is more convoluted than it should be, and it's frankly easier to do on Android. For example, the openness of Android's operating system makes it easy for me to install alternate stores like the Epic Games Store. There's also a longer history of companies developing Android phones that are optimized for gaming, offering high-refresh displays and responsive screens that are easier to use for fast-paced games.
But Apple appears to be refining its gaming experience with iOS 26, partly with a new Games app that serves as a dedicated hub similar to what I see on gaming phones from RedMagic and Asus.
However, it's going to take more than adding a fancy gaming menu to make the iPhone feel more like a Steam Deck or a Switch. Here are a few of the issues I experience when trying to game on the go with the iPhone, and what I think Apple could do with the iPhone 17 and iOS 26 to provide a more compelling alternative to more traditional platforms.
The Backbone One provides a good grip for playing games but at $100 it's expensive. Mike Sorrentino/CNET
The iPhone 17 needs a good controller
There are so many options for connecting gaming controllers to an iPhone, but none fit exactly right. I've purchased clips that let me tether my iPhone with an Xbox controller, which are relatively cheap and easy to find between $10 and $30. These are great for letting me use my console controller with the iPhone, and I can choose to either use a Bluetooth connection or hardwire my controller to the iPhone. Yet they aren't great for use while on a train or for long periods, because they start feeling heavy, as they support the entire iPhone's weight. Not to mention my concern that a bumpy moment on the train might shake the phone out of the clip, potentially leading to an unwelcome fumble for my phone.
If you want a more comfortable gaming experience, controllers like the Backbone One let you slot your iPhone in like it's a Nintendo Switch. These are the most ideal because you have a solid grip on your device, have console-like controls, and -- in the case of the Backbone -- you're hardwired into the controller to reduce latency. But at $100, the Backbone One specifically is quite expensive (I was thrilled when a colleague had a review unit I could borrow). The iPhone itself is an expensive device, and I don't want to have to spend an extra $100 on a controller just to make it better for gaming.
Apple has dodged the matter of having a good gaming controller by lending its endorsement to a variety of products. Sometimes you'll even see the Apple TV paired up with Sony's DualShock controller at an Apple Store for Apple Arcade demos. While I do appreciate the iPhone's universal compatibility with different gaming controllers, it might help if Apple were to officially partner with at least one controller for what the company would consider an "ideal" experience for gaming on the iPhone. Perhaps it could be a controller grip that makes use of MagSafe as an attachment, or even a controller created in partnership with a third-party like 8BitDo. The goal wouldn't be to replace the freedom of using any controller you want but to perhaps bring a coherent experience to what would be the most ideal way to even get started with playing games on your iPhone.
Sayonara Wild Hearts launched on Apple Arcade and can be played on the iPhone, iPad and Apple TV (pictured here) with the subscription. Or you could buy it on a console and just own it. Sarah Tew/CNET
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