User profile for user: Jonkward
Jonkward Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

iPadOS 26 Update Broke Xbox Controller Functionality

Hi everyone,


I frequently play Xbox Game Pass games on my iPad via a web shortcut, using an Xbox One controller connected through Bluetooth. Since updating to iPadOS 26, the controller behavior has changed and essentially broken gameplay:


  • The Guide button now opens Apple Games instead of bringing up the Xbox menu.
  • The B button kicks me out of the game completely, showing a “Tap to play” message.


Because the B button is used constantly in most games, this makes it nearly impossible to play.


Does anyone know if there are settings in iPadOS 26 to disable or change this new controller behavior? Or is this just how Apple has remapped the buttons in the latest update?


Thanks in advance for any clarity or solutions!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 26

Posted on Sep 19, 2025 4:33 PM

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User profile for user: tsm98052
tsm98052
User level: Level 1
12 points

Posted on Oct 22, 2025 10:14 PM

Can confirm with GeforceNOW, PS5 controller, and iOS26, the new magic keyboard interaction breaks GFN. The forced controller interaction with the iOS26 desktop only happens when the Magic Keyboard is connected. This is a new interaction with the update. And makes no sense as to why I want my controller interacting with the iOS elements. (I didn't have accessibility turned on.) Yet there appears to be no setting to turn off that interaction. Seems the best work around now is to disconnect the magic keyboard, which now cause I can't use it to type in the chat field of games.


I did use however the controller successful with Apple Arcade games (e.g. Sasquatch and Retrobowl) with no problems. So this does appear to be a browser/app interaction with the keyboard, not with native apps. I'm hoping they revert the magic keyboard interaction or give an option to disable it. I had thought I had controller issues for a moment there.




[Edited by Moderator]

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User profile for user: tsm98052
tsm98052
User level: Level 1
12 points

Oct 22, 2025 10:14 PM in response to Jonkward

Can confirm with GeforceNOW, PS5 controller, and iOS26, the new magic keyboard interaction breaks GFN. The forced controller interaction with the iOS26 desktop only happens when the Magic Keyboard is connected. This is a new interaction with the update. And makes no sense as to why I want my controller interacting with the iOS elements. (I didn't have accessibility turned on.) Yet there appears to be no setting to turn off that interaction. Seems the best work around now is to disconnect the magic keyboard, which now cause I can't use it to type in the chat field of games.


I did use however the controller successful with Apple Arcade games (e.g. Sasquatch and Retrobowl) with no problems. So this does appear to be a browser/app interaction with the keyboard, not with native apps. I'm hoping they revert the magic keyboard interaction or give an option to disable it. I had thought I had controller issues for a moment there.




[Edited by Moderator]

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iPadOS 26 Update Broke Xbox Controller Functionality

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