Backbone console how to#
Backbone console install#
Backbone console android#
Backbone console Pc#
Backbone console free#

If you have an older model of the Backbone One, you can order a free adapter or, if you have a 3D printer, a template is available for it. It works but the downside is that the phone sits slightly further forward on the left-hand side. For this reason, an adapter is included – a piece of rubber that fits on the left-hand side of where the phone fits into the controller.

If you have an iPhone 13 or later, the camera bump on the rear means that, although it still fits, it doesn’t do so comfortably. The company got back to me a couple of days later but, in the meantime, I’d managed to solve it by reinstalling the app. I contacted Backbone via a contact form on its website.

Backbone console android#

The Backbone product was originally iPhone-only and Android compatibility has only come recently, hence some features are missing.Īt one point during testing, the app refused to load, simply stopping on a “spinner” and not progressing. It should be noted that this option isn’t available for Android. The following video and screenshots should give you a better idea of what of these features look like…

All your games shown in the Backbone app.

There’s a huge long list of features added by Backbone+, but what it effectively boils down to is: Backbone+ adds extra features, and you get 30 days free with your purchase. Then there’s the optional Backbone+ element, which is a premium service. On the iPhone, built-in controller settings allow you to do things such as remap the buttons (generally and per game). For all users, it provides basic features such as firmware updates and one-button screenshots. The app is very much a product of two halves. This is a handy, but rather limited, feature.

Backbone console Pc#

Essentially, you take your phone out and, after a quick settings change in the app, you can then connect to an iPad, Mac or PC using a Lightning to USB-C connection (so, yes, only iPads with USB-C connectors will work here). The Backbone One has another trick, which allows you to connect to other devices, but this only works for the iPhone version. On the underneath of the left-hand side is a headphone socket and on the right-hand side, a power connector, allowing a pass-through connection if you need to charge the phone during gaming. The controller doesn’t require any power, drawing everything it needs from your phone.

Backbone console install#

On the iPhone, as soon as I started hitting buttons on the controller, it immediately prompted me to install it. You’ll need to install the Backbone app for it to work. A connector on the right hand side should be aligned with your phone so that it slots in.

You place the phone in between the two side controller sections and the spring mechanism will then grip the phone securely in the middle. To insert the phone, you pull the Backbone One apart – a sliding mechanism in the middle ensures this opens up smoothly. The controller won’t work if your phone is in a case or has anything connected to the back, such as a Pop Socket.

Backbone console how to#

Inside is a paper safety guide, a piece of card that tells you how to set up the Backbone One, the controller itself and, if you have the iPhone version, an adapter (more on this later).

Everything inside is cardboard, bar three blobs of foam, which is great to see. Inside the flashy outer box is a simple, matt black box that opens up to reveal the controller. The packaging for the Backbone One is very nice. The Remote Play app, for those of you unaware of it, allows owners to remotely sign in and stream games from their PlayStation.Īll models of the Backbone One retail for £99.99. However, if, like me, you want to use the Backbone One in combination with the PS Remote Play app, then the changes are welcome. Mobile games will refer to the side buttons in terms of the usual ABXY arrangement, rather than PlayStation symbols, so the latter may be confusing. Whether to buy the standard or PlayStation version is a personal choice. For this review, I’m testing the iPhone PlayStation Edition, although images shown in this article are for the standard iPhone version. Apart from the colour, the main difference is that the ABXY buttons are re-labelled with the equivalent PlayStation symbols. The Backbone is a games controller into which you slot your smartphone, so you end up with the controller buttons on either side of the phone’s screen.Ĭompatible with both Android (with USB-C connection) and iPhone, there are two versions of the controller available – the black Standard model and a white PlayStation Edition. But is the gaming experience as good? Here’s our Backbone One review. Costing £99.99, it’s a damned sight cheaper than a full-blown console such as a Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. The Backbone One is a controller that turns your mobile phone into a games console.