Mobile gaming has taken a step forward. Hit titles that were previously only available on computers have become available on mobile devices, and PUBG can be counted among the greatest of these titles.
If you're a fan of this battle royale phenomenon that has taken the gaming world by storm, you're probably excited to find it on your phone. However, switching to touchscreen controls can be a difficult transition.
The ideal solution would be to link a controller to your phone and have the best of both worlds. In this article, we will explain how to do just that.
How to Play PUBG Mobile with Controller on Android Phone
To keep the battlefield fair, PUBG Mobile does not officially support full controller usage. If you have a Bluetooth controller, you can only use it for in-game movement. Other actions will not be mapped to the corresponding buttons.
But this is only the case with the vanilla settings. There is a workaround that will allow you to use your controller at full capacity when playing PUBG Mobile.
You will need to download a keymapper app on your phone. These apps are used to bind game controls to gamepad buttons in games that otherwise don't support gamepads.
Until recently, the most popular option was the Octopus app, which was available for free on the Google Play Store. However, this app has recently discontinued support for PUBG Mobile.
Fortunately, there is another option, although this one requires payment. It is called Panda Gamepad Pro.
To use this keymapper app to enable controller on PUBG Mobile, follow these steps:
- Download and install Panda Gamepad Pro.
- Connect your controller to your Android device.
- Launch Panda Gamepad Pro.
- Follow the app setup process to set up controls.
- Launch PUBG Mobile from the Panda Gamepad Pro app.
There are two things you need to consider when taking this approach.
First of all, PUBG Mobile will detect that you are using third-party software to play the game. This means that you will only be able to join matches with players using emulators. In other words, everyone in your game will be playing either using this method or via PC.
Second, the button mapping will only be active when launching the game through the keymapper app. If you launch PUBG Mobile alone, the game will revert to touchscreen controls.
How to Play PUBG Mobile With Controller on iPhone
Since PUBG Mobile does not offer official controller support, you will need to use a keymapper app.
These apps configure controller buttons to match in-game actions, which is useful for games like PUBG Mobile that don't support controllers.
Many keymapper apps on App Store are outdated which means they may not work well with PUBG Mobile. However, there is one that is still relevant: ShootingPlus.
Here's how to set up the app to allow playing PUBG Mobile with a controller on your iPhone:
- Download ShootingPlus from App Store and install the app.
- Connect the controller to your iPhone.
- Launch ShootingPlus.
- Follow the instructions to configure the commands.
- Use the ShootingPlus app to launch PUBG Mobile.
This method will allow you to play PUBG Mobile with a controller on your iPhone. However, you will only be able to do this if you launch the game through ShootingPlus. If you start PUBG Mobile alone, the hotkeys you created will not apply.
It is worth mentioning that the game will detect your configuration as an emulator and you will only have access to matches with players using a controller or playing on a computer. The game does this to prevent players with controllers from having an unfair advantage over touchscreen players.
How to Play PUBG Mobile With Controller on PC
Playing PUBG on your mobile device can be a great experience. However, the game could be made more enjoyable if played on a larger screen, such as your computer screen.
If you have already made progress in your PUBG Mobile account and don't feel like upgrading to the desktop version, you can easily upgrade to PC. In fact, it will make using a controller quite simple.
To play PUBG Mobile on your PC, you will need an emulator. You can easily find and download one of the popular options like Bluestacks.
The advantage of Android emulators is that they are generally compatible with controllers. This will also be the case with Bluestacks.
Once the emulator is installed, you'll need to sign in to your Google Play account to access your game. Then you can either use the native settings or remap the controls to your liking, and you'll be good to go.
Keep in mind that playing through an emulator will place you in matches with players who play the same way. You will not be able to join games with mobile players that use touchscreen controls.
Additional FAQs
Can I use a PlayStation or Xbox controller without any problems?
Most PlayStation and Xbox controllers with Bluetooth will be able to connect to your mobile device without issue.
The original controller model for PS4 might be the best option due to its compatibility with Bluetooth devices. However, if you own an Xbox, controllers like the Elite Series 2 or Series X will also deliver great performance.
Prepare to dominate the battlefield
Playing PUBG Mobile with a controller will likely put you in a tougher competition as other players in your matches will also get a controller or keyboard and mouse. Still, more competition can make the game more fun.
Now that you know how to play PUBG Mobile with a controller, you will have the opportunity to experience the classic battle royale game from a new angle.
Have you successfully configured your game for gamepad controls? What device did you play it on?
Let us know in the comment section below.
