Older game controllers with the Apple TV
There are all kinds of game controllers made specifically for the Apple TV, such as the SteelSeries Nimbus. If you have an older game controller for iOS, you can also connect it to the Apple TV (fourth generation or newer).
Which game controller to pair with Apple TV?
If you have an older gamepad at home, it is important that it is an iOS-supporting controller. If you’ve used the gamepad in the past to game on your iPhone or iPad, you’re in the right place.
Let’s start with the most important thing: pairing this iOS controller with the Apple TV.
This is how you connect an iOS gamepad to the Apple TV
To connect a gamepad to your fourth generation Apple TV or newer, proceed as follows:
- Open the Settings app on Apple TV.
- Choose Remotes & Devices.
- Select Bluetooth under the Other Devices heading.
- Select Link game controllers and read the explanation.
- Then make sure the controller is in pairing mode.
- Once your controller appears on the Apple TV, select it from the list of detected Bluetooth devices.
Now that your Apple TV and game controller are connected, you can also use the device to navigate the Apple TV menus. It is important to know what the buttons do.
Game controller buttons on the Apple TV
- A button: Select menu options and confirm choices.
- B button: Go back a menu by tapping the B button, then press and hold the B button to return to the home screen.
- D-pad and joystick: Navigate menus.
- Turn on controller: If you turn on a controller when the Apple TV is off, the Apple TV will automatically start. A Siri Remote is therefore no longer necessary for this.
- Pause button: Same functions as the B button: return to the home screen by pressing and holding the button and go back a menu by tapping the button once.
- Triggers and Bumpers: Navigate from left to right through the tVOS menus.
As soon as you start an app or game, the function of the buttons is completely in the hands of the developer. The above list only applies to navigating through the tvOS menus. Do you want to know which Apple TV games can be played with a controller? We have a separate article about that!
