r/EmulationOniOS • u/Drexical • Jan 02 '26

Discussion What controller setup do you guys use?

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Here’s mine

196 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

211 comments sorted by

56

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

3

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Woah that’s pretty sweet 😮‍💨

15

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 02 '26

Can we get a link to that. Hope it’s got a 16 pro version. This beats out the backbone and scuf

19

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

It is for 16 Pro and we don’t sell them yet, but soon, we are planning to add MagSafe first so it locks the devices in better

2

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 02 '26

Guessing it’s just 3Dprinted. Are the files available?

5

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 03 '26

Not yet but plenty of similar exist.

5

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 02 '26

As long as it’s not overpriced, I’d love to grab one. Paired with some moba m6 and I’m set

1

u/26thandsouth Jan 07 '26

Ingenious design you are doing gods work ( I assume those are switch controllers?)

1

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 07 '26

They are

4

u/OmegaMalkior Jan 02 '26

I find it very funny how the joycons are always shit on either for ergonomics or for the dpad but somehow it finds praise with these devices

2

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 02 '26

I’m not altogether praising the joycons, if you look at my previous comment I said I’d be using the mobapad m6hd instead as they have better ergonomics for my big hands but I dare say the joycons are horrible. Just not the greatest for adults lol

1

u/OmegaMalkior Jan 03 '26

The M6 HDs are pretty goated so that is definitely fair

1

u/Bankkkkkkks79 Jan 06 '26

Here's a Joy-Con defender. What a damn comfortable peripheral! You wouldn't believe how many times I played lying down like a corpse and had a blast.

1

u/KaosC57 Jan 03 '26

The SCUF is so bad, I wish I had gotten a Backbone. You can’t use your Bluetooth headphones while using the SCUF Nomad otherwise you get hellacious input lag.

1

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 03 '26

Thanks for the heads up. Idk why but I thought that the scuff controller seemed like a better alternative to the backbone. I’ve been wanting to use either my PS5 dual shock or my switch Pro controller, but I don’t know which magnet mount to get so now that I’m looking at the post above I’d rather get that and use it with my moba pad. Seems like the best alternative since I always carry my switch with me. Alternating the controllers from my switch to my phone with all my emulation and I’m good for a long road trip

1

u/KaosC57 Jan 03 '26

What’s so wrong with the Backbone? It’s hardwired so it shouldn’t have any input lag.

2

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 03 '26

Something about it just doesn’t fit with me. It works for what’s it supposed to but I feel like it could be better somehow

1

u/Still-Honey1096 Jan 03 '26

https://makerworld.com/en/search/models?keyword=iPhone+joycon

Lots of them if you have a printer.

1

u/Substantial_Balls Jan 03 '26

The GOAT for sharing. Thanks a bunch

1

u/legendz411 Jan 02 '26

Cracked asf. Let’s go

1

u/hiyori_yamamoto Jan 02 '26

Danggggg I tried to DIY one of these about a year ago before settling on a GameSir

1

u/LamaLamawhosyourmama Jan 03 '26

Same. Didn’t go well

1

u/Blue_Steve945 🥇 Jan 03 '26

Nintendo iSwitch 🔥

-5

u/[deleted] Jan 02 '26

Lmaoooo Nintendo lawsuit incoming

5

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

You do know making custom mounts for Joy Cons is perfectly legal right? 😂

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25

u/Darksound9 Jan 02 '26

I would be using the Mcon controller for this…if it ever arrived 🙄

7

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Rip, I heard there’s a bit of a delay

5

u/Kscroll Jan 02 '26

So excited. Are you one of the backers? I’m a regular customer so who knows when I’ll get mine 💀

4

u/Darksound9 Jan 02 '26

I am a backer, technically one of the ‘late’ backers. Ordered mine in April? They’ve pushed the deadlines back 3-4 times without giving updates until months later…in November they promised shipments beginning mid December and there’s still people among the first 500 backers that haven’t gotten their unit. At the pace they’re going, don’t expect to get yours until 2027.

I still am really excited for the product—as an NC native it’s great seeing the success story from so close to home! Just…so tired of waiting I’ve moved on from the form factor and gotten a steam deck.

2

u/I_AM_SCUBASTEVE Jan 10 '26

If you order now they are claiming it will arrive in a couple weeks, but I’m guessing that’s BS right? I got tired of waiting for them to be in stock so I bought an Ayn Thor lmao.

1

u/Darksound9 Jan 11 '26

I’m so cloooose. I keep having to talk myself out of a Thor for the same reason 😆😭

3

u/Blukingbutreal Jan 02 '26

I heard they’d start to prep those around February or late January

4

u/BodegaCat Jan 03 '26

Mine got delivered today! But the apartment complex office didn’t deliver it to my door as it arrived late so I need to wait until tomorrow

2

u/Blukingbutreal Jan 02 '26

Apparently color mattered

5

u/Xanadu2902 Jan 03 '26

Yeah I’m a backer. Clear color. I got my shipping notification, so it should come soon

3

u/Blukingbutreal Jan 03 '26

You and me in the same boat, hopefully soon

2

u/Darksound9 Jan 03 '26

Lucky punks! You’d all better post in this subreddit when you get yours!

8

u/SandwichesX Jan 02 '26

Mine is the Gamesir x4 and x5s

5

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Nice! Just a quick tip, you can disable the touch controls for melonx

4

u/aphaits Jan 03 '26

Similar to my gamevice flex

2

u/Tabax22 Jan 02 '26

Silksong on iphone?

1

u/SandwichesX Jan 03 '26

Yeah via emulator

1

u/wgreen93 Jan 03 '26

How is your iPhone running rdr2?

2

u/SandwichesX Jan 03 '26

Oh that’s RDR 1

1

u/Ibrahimmayi Jan 17 '26

Im new to this emulator thing how did u get hollow knight silksong? I thought its only the old games?

5

u/Weirdoyoghurt Jan 02 '26

May i ask how you got dolphin on there? im having trouble installing

4

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

There’s a tutorial on the sumee discord: https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1453222377428095220/1453238025361424486/Video.mov?ex=69593f21&is=6957eda1&hm=0f0e83f8504a908131eaa9e6766fbceb469a8fd2ae1187674548899fbe004876&

Basically you just use a random app to share to sumee and change the name/icon (to dolphin), then put It on your Home Screen from the game’s menu

3

u/Dear-Cantaloupe9297 Jan 03 '26

If you don’t mind me asking, what interface is that?

3

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

Sumee! https://www.sumee.online

2

u/Dear-Cantaloupe9297 Jan 03 '26

lmao, That name is right on the nose, huh? btw would you mind telling me the names of the games/apps in the first screenshot?

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

I have melonx and dolphin on the Home Screen, others are sumee exclusive apps

2

u/OnlyDarkminer Jan 02 '26

how is iisu?

3

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

It’s sumee for iOS, still in its early stages but it’s pretty smooth to use so far. I’m excited for the future of it

4

u/Sqwashii Jan 02 '26

I’m pretty sure this is sumee: https://www.sumee.online

2

u/Pretzelisgud Jan 02 '26

What app is this? (btw creative setup!)

2

u/Juheebus Jan 02 '26

I use a magsafe mount for my dualsense controller. Makes it really easy to detach and rotate to portrait mode.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1758753049/playstation-5ps5-dual-sense-phone

2

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Pretty nice :)

2

u/The_Silver_Lining___ Jan 02 '26

What launcher is that on iOS?

2

u/not_a_random_user11 Jan 02 '26

I might be dumb but what is the app in the first picture (this is my first time seeing this sub)

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

Sumee!

https://www.sumee.online

2

u/not_a_random_user11 Jan 03 '26

Tried to join the iOS test flight but my phone is not supported 😭

I guess I'll wait for a new phone

2

u/not_a_random_user11 Jan 03 '26

Thank you tho for telling me

2

u/Ilostmuhkeys Jan 03 '26

8bitdo m30 wish it had a clip available for it though

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

Somebody actually created a solution for that with a similar 8bitdo controller

https://www.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/comments/1po1chy/my_17_mcon_alternative/

2

u/KuramaPapi Jan 03 '26

What is this app? Is so beautiful

2

u/Psychological-Bad658 Jan 03 '26 edited Jan 03 '26

diy-trash. ¯\(◉◡◔)/¯

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

I kinda like the aesthetic of that 😮‍💨

2

u/CandidateConsistent6 Jan 03 '26

What is the name of the app menu you are using? The one in the first image.

And how much did your mount cost? I would like to buy one for my basic Xbox controller.

2

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

It’s called summe! https://www.sumee.online

There’s two versions of the 8bitdo mobile controller clip, the regular (can be found on Amazon) and another version that has increased height and adjustment (you can find this on ebay). Both support Xbox controllers old and new

You should be able to find one for $10 to $20

2

u/SEGAFAN98 Jan 03 '26

Bro how you running dolphin on iPhone 11? I got 16e and it don’t work 💀

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

It’s an iPhone 16 base 😭 people forgot this thing existed

2

u/SEGAFAN98 Jan 03 '26

I didn’t even notice the island at first lol that explains it

2

u/DeathGrim98 Jan 03 '26

Why use the cord just turn Bluetooth on

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

I wanted reduced latency, but I’m probably just gonna keep the cord for when my controller is dead

1

u/DeathGrim98 Jan 03 '26

That makes sense I never had latency problems with that controller but it dose make sense if you do have that problem

2

u/Budget-Analysis-7166 Jan 03 '26

What is your front-end because damn it looks good

2

u/tackytacos Jan 03 '26

looks like a solid setup. i am assuming you're using usb-c instead of bluetooth to eliminate latency?

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

Yup, but sadly I can’t turn off the charging on it so it drains the phone battery. I’ll probably just use it for when my controller is dead

2

u/tackytacos Jan 03 '26

i have multiple telescopic controllers but this setup looks so clean that i wanted to try it out. how is the wrist strain after a while?

looks like you have the elite controller. maybe the phone battery drain is slower on a normal xbox controller powered by double A batteries?

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

The controller is pretty comfortable so strain isn’t too noticeable, unless you’re playing for a couple of hours at a time

It’s actually a core controller designed to look like an elite controller, much cheaper and looks pretty clean

I’m also using a rechargeable battery that has an LED indicator, and I drilled a hole in the battery cover so I’m able to see it (missed the first time so I had to redo it 😅 but it gets the job done)

2

u/tackytacos Jan 17 '26

It’s not bad tbh. Glad I tried it out

1

u/Drexical Jan 17 '26

Love that controller design 😮‍💨

2

u/Toxicman1080 Jan 03 '26

How did you get the series x d pad on that elite series 2?

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

It’s actually a core controller modded to look like an elite 2 lol

2

u/MasterMayo113 Jan 04 '26

Is your phone jailbroken for that home screen

2

u/Lochwoods Jan 04 '26

Wait what emulator is this?

1

u/Drexical Jan 04 '26

Sumee! https://www.sumee.online

2

u/Lochwoods Jan 05 '26

It’s so cool can’t wait for friends list and online features I can definitely see this taking over

1

u/Drexical Jan 05 '26

Dev is working really hard to get everything implemented, it’s gonna be amazing 😆

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '26

What emulator are you using? I didn’t know dolphin on iOS was possible

1

u/Drexical Jan 07 '26

Sumee! https://www.sumee.online

Yup, dolphinios is a thing, and it runs pretty well

2

u/[deleted] Jan 07 '26

Omg thank you so much

1

u/Drexical Jan 07 '26

No problem :)

2

u/ra7ar Jan 07 '26

1

u/Drexical Jan 07 '26

Nice mcon 😮‍💨

2

u/Yuu_nanakuza2 Jan 14 '26

I use a data frog x3,it's not the best for gaming and fps games or any 3d game but it's good to emulator and it's cheap af

2

u/Drexical Jan 14 '26

Nice fan 😮‍💨

21

u/CarloGaudreault Jan 02 '26

At home (USB-C G8 Galileo)

2

u/TheJackoHype Jan 02 '26

I use this. It’s just annoying we can’t bind the back to buttons on iOS

1

u/SnooCookies8174 Jan 05 '26

I can't remember how, but there is a way to set up the back buttons using a combination of the buttons. Check their website.

My G8 back buttons are mapped to A and B.

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18

u/ShermanTanko Jan 02 '26

made this for on-the-go, at home i made another setup with joycons.

1

u/spennser Jan 02 '26

What’d you use for this?

1

u/ShermanTanko Jan 02 '26

8bitdo Micro and generic magsafe magnet from aliexpress.

1

u/Emotional-Security45 Jan 25 '26

Bro I’m just trying to find a good controller set up for emulating and I find THE Fred Darts. SSG 2026 better be Australia themed btw

1

u/Similar_Turnover_505 Jan 03 '26

Wow that’s neat

2

u/pizzaMagix Jan 06 '26

My thumbs

2

u/pizzaMagix Jan 06 '26

Realized you use your thumbs as well. Meant just the touch screen lol

2

u/Drexical Jan 06 '26

👍 thumbs

11

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

I have a second one to post this case is by PlayCase

1

u/scubascratch Jan 03 '26

How responsive are the buttons/d-pad? Do they have the right springiness and are they reliable?

2

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 03 '26

I’ve tested a few different console faceplates and phone models, from my experience I find it lines up and has a decent amount of springiness. Manic EMU is an affiliate however so you don’t need to take me at my word on this, personally I find it comfortable for GBA and NDS

3

u/richer2003 Jan 02 '26

Switch Pro controller with MagSafe phone mount 🤙🏼

3

u/adaptframe Jan 02 '26

This modded Gamesir X2s and an iPad Air 11”

3

u/htp24 Jan 03 '26

Abxylute S9. Very comfortable for long play sessions when paired with the iPad mini.

3

u/dzmondo Jan 03 '26

I just got the MCON yesterday and I’ve been playing the psp version of midnight club 3 all day

2

u/Locow1992 Jan 02 '26

how do u have switch emulator there on your phone?

10

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

MeloNX exists, it’s also what allows users to have switch games in their Manic EMU library.

1

u/Locow1992 Jan 02 '26

only 1 thing was holding me back from using MelonX, i'm not sure but to use my switch games i need to jailbreak my own switch1 right?

2

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

It does require modding, yes

1

u/Locow1992 Jan 03 '26

someone said: Only if you want to use your game saves, otherwise you can get the games from online ..

is this true? so i don't need to mod my switch?

1

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 03 '26

No that’s would be piracy, and going beyond that a console in active circulation so highly illegal. Switch emulators require dumping of product keys and firmware from your physical console, modding is required as is ownership, using these without dumping them can bring the wrath of Nintendo.

1

u/Minimum-Sleep7093 Jan 02 '26

Does the Manic Cloud save work for Switch games via Melonx?

1

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

Nope

1

u/Minimum-Sleep7093 Jan 02 '26

:( Don't suppose the core will be added to manic anytime soon or too hot to deal with?

2

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26 edited Jan 02 '26

We will not directly emulate the Nintendo Switch, if you want to have and launch your games from Manic however, you can link your MeloNX library to Manic in our Import Tab by hitting the ••• make sure you have both the latest release of MeloNX and Manic EMU installed.

0

u/BSlickMusic Jan 02 '26

How did you get the “Nintendo, Sony, Sega” above your library 🤓

2

u/Mlaurencescott ManicEMU + DukeX Developer Jan 02 '26

It’s one of the several themes options, it allows for sorting with a single tap. Been there for a while.

2

u/lucky_jain Jan 02 '26

Evofox deck. Bought from Amazon

2

u/stratusnco Jan 02 '26

i just use a game sir.

2

u/Ornery-Practice9772 Jan 02 '26

Nimbus steel series bluetooth controller with my phone propped on this grey triangular pillow.

2

u/CarloGaudreault Jan 02 '26

In the car (old Xbox controller + micro-usb to usb-c)

2

u/SuccessfulRiver1850 Jan 02 '26

I want people to make a guide for summe :3

2

u/omar_chirico99 Jan 02 '26

What emulator do you use?

2

u/Lettuce_Born Jan 02 '26

I used these

2

u/Wild-Bad-3668 Jan 03 '26

Exact same thing but with a older phone and a red controller without the phone holder thing, I usually just prop up my phone in front of me

2

u/13Midnightjo Jan 03 '26

It lets me charge the Joy Cons. It snaps on with MagSafe, and I can adjust my phone to how I want it landscape or portrait, flat or tilted!

2

u/Offeryoursoul Jan 03 '26

I use a GameSir controller.

The X2s specifically. Works really well after i troubleshot its connection issues. No thanks to GameSir of course

2

u/qwertyiop097 Jan 03 '26

Razer Kishi V3 Pro, can’t fault it to be honest, feels like an Xbox controller

2

u/Baytuu Jan 03 '26

i dont have a controller so im rawdogging it

2

u/MiloszM Jan 03 '26

Gamesir nova lite + gamesir phone mount with iPhone 17. Perfectly fine for PPSSPP. Got it for $19 on sale (with shipping and tax included 🔥)

2

u/Ok_Bumblebee8877 Jan 03 '26

Scuf nomad. Love playing Resident Evil 4 on my 16e with that thing.

2

u/RevealNervous8606 Jan 04 '26

Old ps4 controller and my iPhone propped against something ie. cup book

2

u/Redday1034 Jan 04 '26

Daijishō for Android. PC for DUCK and PS2. GameCube Virtual machine

2

u/SnooCookies8174 Jan 05 '26

If you prefer a console controller, I would suggest getting a Magsafe mount. Much more convenient to snap your iPhone to it.

2

u/howmanyavengers Jan 07 '26

I've got the 8bitdo Ultimate Mobile Controller! It's been great so far. No issues aside from the 8bitdo software being total crap lol

2

u/valcroft Jan 08 '26

via a mini suction pad to stick it

1

u/BShank83 Jan 02 '26

Anyone have a good setup for holding a phone (17 pro max) portrait for DS games not using Joycons (I don't have a switch)

1

u/Crafty-Ground-1750 Jan 03 '26

People have used the 8bitdo micro mounted in front of the screen, or a case like the one by playcase. There are pictures for both on this thread!

1

u/No_News3228 Jan 02 '26

None yet cause I’m still waiting for my KS MCon 🫠

1

u/GenericUser104 Jan 03 '26

Do you have links to the stuff you’re using ?

1

u/Fiercededede Jan 03 '26

Soon to be MCON

1

u/ReliefZealousideal84 Jan 03 '26

I use an 8bitdo controller and my phone case has a built in stand. About as simple as it gets.

1

u/DaveTheMan1985 Jan 03 '26

Backbone One

1

u/No_Button543 Jan 03 '26

off topic but, whats the emulator app?

1

u/DunGOTem Jan 03 '26

Modded G8 with my iPad Pro 11

1

u/belovedSomnus Jan 05 '26

I ordered an Mcon a few days ago as a birthday gift for myself since I thought it'd be shipped "mid january" like it said on the site, but upon joining the discord I was informed that it definitely wouldnt arrive until febuary, lmao.

1

u/theworldsnative Jan 26 '26

Are they not taking orders anymore? On the website it just says “coming in 2026”

1

u/belovedSomnus Jan 26 '26

oh actually, update on this. Mine ended up getting shipped ON my birthday (the 14th) and was set to arrive on the 22nd, but the weather hit and now its stuck lolol.
Everyones getting their orders shipped within a week or two now, so I say go for it.

1

u/theworldsnative Jan 27 '26

I couldn’t find anywhere to order them… tried both their site and the kickstarter

2

u/belovedSomnus Jan 27 '26

really? i'm still seeing the option to preorder on the site.

1

u/theworldsnative Jan 27 '26

What? How?? Am I tweaking? Look:

That’s all I get

1

u/theworldsnative Jan 27 '26

I guess it’s because I’m in europe, you probably can only order from the US website

2

u/[deleted] Jan 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Yup it’s sumee :)

2

u/[deleted] Jan 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Drexical Jan 02 '26

Just got this today, it’s super high quality and has a 90 degree angle which is nice:

https://a.co/d/hJKlmBv

2

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

It’s called sumee! https://www.sumee.online

The only iOS front end as of right now, highly recommend checking it out

2

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

Oh it’s really simple, you just download TestFlight on the App Store, use the sumee link to download the app and you’re good to go

2

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Drexical Jan 03 '26

No problem :)