How to Pair Nintendo Joy-Con Controllers to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

With the release of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16, Nintendo Switch Joy-Con and Pro controllers can now be paired with iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs. Read on to find out how to do it.

Many people who play Apple Arcade games know that Apple's mobile devices and Apple TV set-top box already work with some popular game controllers. For example, since April 2021, these devices have been able to work with PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers.

Apple didn't make much of the fact that iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16 added support for the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con and Pro controllers, but they did. This means that users can now play better than they could with on-screen touch controls or their Apple TV Remote.

Also, one of the best things about using Joy-Con controllers is that you can connect just one or both of them. When you connect both, your games will see them as a single MFi controller.

You can even use the Joy-Cons as two separate controllers or as one big controller by holding down the home button and the screenshot button for a few seconds.

How to Connect a Joy-Con to iPhone or iPad

The steps below show you how to connect your Nintendo controller to your iPhone or iPad. For this example, we'll use a single Joy-Con.

1. Remove a Joy-Con from your Nintendo Switch.
2. Press and hold the Sync button on the black edge of the controller.
3. Wait for the lights alongside the Sync button to rove back and forth, indicating that the Joy-Con is in pairing mode.
4. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌.
5. Tap Bluetooth.
6. Wait for your Joy-Con to appear in the "Other Devices" section, then tap it to connect.

Your Joy-Con will show up in the "My Devices" list, and all but one of the pairing lights on the controller will go out. This means it's connected and ready to use.

How to Connect a Joy-Con to Apple TV

1. Remove a Joy-Con from your Nintendo Switch.
2. Press and hold the Sync button on the black edge of the controller.
3. Wait for the lights alongside the Sync button to rove back and forth, indicating that the Joy-Con is in pairing mode.
4. On your ‌Apple TV‌, select the Settings app.
5. Select Remotes and Devices -> Bluetooth.
6. Wait for your Joy-Con to appear in the "Other Devices" section, then tap it to connect.

You'll see a message on your Apple TV screen telling you that the Joy-Con has paired successfully and is ready to use.