Apple may be building its own game controllers for iPhone, with Beats branding under consideration

Apple may be building its own game controllers for iPhone, with Beats branding reportedly under consideration, after code references revealed two possible devices.

Apple game controller plans emerge from macOS code

The reports follow references found in an early macOS 26.7 release candidate to two devices identified as T6502 and T1057. MacRumors’ report said the profiles were removed from the next release candidate. The profiles included a D-pad, dual thumbsticks, shoulder buttons, analogue triggers and Home/Menu controls. The code was later removed from a subsequent release candidate, so the hardware remains unannounced and may still be internal testing material.

According to 9to5Mac’s report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman corroborated the project and said it could eventually appear under the Beats brand. The report says one controller may include motion sensors, while the two devices have different haptic implementations. No design, price or release window has been reported.

What Apple’s controller could do for iPhone and Apple TV

Apple already supports Xbox and PlayStation controllers across its devices, and Apple Arcade games can use compatible gamepads. An Apple game controller would therefore need to offer more than a familiar button layout. Instant pairing, cross-device switching or Find My support would be plausible advantages, but none has been confirmed for these devices.

The project would also fit Apple’s wider push into gaming. The company’s Apple Games app gives players a central place to find games and connect compatible controllers, while Apple TV supports Apple Arcade on the television.

Apple has not announced the controller and has not commented on the reports. For now, iPhone and Apple TV owners can continue using the existing third-party options, including the Razer Prio covered by tbreak. The Apple game controller is still a code discovery with a possible Beats label, not a product you can order.