Apple is reportedly developing two new game controllers for iPhone users, potentially marking the company’s first move into dedicated mobile gaming hardware.
The discovery was reported by Joe Rossignol on September 13 after references to the devices were found in the code of macOS 26.7. Although the information was uncovered in Mac software, the controllers are reportedly designed for use with the iPhone.
Mark Gurman later confirmed that the hardware is aimed at iPhone users and is being developed as a first-party Apple product. Internal references reportedly identify the devices as hardware made by Apple rather than accessories from an outside manufacturer.
Instead of launching the controllers under the Apple name, the company is reportedly planning to release them through Beats, the brand Apple acquired in 2014. Beats has gradually expanded beyond headphones and speakers, adding products such as phone cases and charging accessories.
The choice of Beats could allow Apple to position the controllers differently from its premium hardware. The devices could use more affordable materials and a less expensive design, potentially giving the company a way to reach mobile gamers without placing them alongside its higher-priced Apple accessories.
The move would also give Apple a direct product in a category currently filled largely by third-party manufacturers. iPhones already support a variety of external gaming controllers, but Apple has yet to offer its own dedicated gamepad for the platform.
Gaming also fits into Apple’s broader push to make its devices more capable gaming machines. Recent iPhones have gained stronger processors and graphics performance, while Apple has continued expanding gaming support across its platforms.
Using Beats for the project could give Apple more flexibility to explore the category while maintaining a separate identity from its main hardware lineup. The brand’s existing connection to entertainment and lifestyle products could also make it a natural fit for gaming accessories.
There is still little information about the reported controllers themselves. Their design, features, pricing and release date have not been revealed, and Apple has not officially announced the products.
For now, the software references and subsequent reporting suggest that Apple is exploring the idea of entering the iPhone gaming controller market. If the project reaches the market, Beats could become the brand behind Apple’s first dedicated gaming controllers for iPhone.
