One of the most famous representatives of the Battle Royale genre, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, made a sensation in the past and even as of 2024 still holds the top position on Steam with a concurrent online count of 3.5 million players. It's no surprise that on the wave of the original’s success, the developers created a mobile version of the game PUBG Mobile which today has even surpassed the original in popularity. However, for new players, the control method on mobile devices may seem very inconvenient, which is why many look for an alternative, with the primary option being using a controller. Today, our editorial team has prepared material for you on how to play PUBG Mobile with a controller and whether it's even possible.

Is it possible to play PUBG Mobile with a controller?

Officially – no. Despite the game’s release in 2018, the developers at PUBG Corporation have yet to add support for playing with game controllers. Although there hasn’t been an official statement on controllers, everyone understands it’s about balance. Playing with controllers makes control much easier, giving such players an advantage over those using a standard phone without additional tools.

How to play PUBG Mobile with a controller

Although there’s no official way, the community and various enthusiasts have devised ways to bypass the restriction. Third-party applications from the Play Market and App Store are commonly used to connect the controller to PUBG Mobile. However, this isn't easy to achieve, and before starting, you’ll need to prepare by choosing the right gamepad and app.

Choose the right controller

Connecting a controller to a phone will happen via Bluetooth, meaning you need to choose a controller that definitely supports this function. Most Xbox controllers and PS4 and PS5 console controllers fall into this category. If you have a different controller, we recommend checking whether it supports Bluetooth; otherwise, you won’t be able to use it.

Download the appropriate application

The last preparatory step involves choosing an application to connect the controller to the phone. Finding such an app can be quite difficult. Most are quickly removed as they are unofficial or created to deceive users. As of writing, three popular apps remain: Panda Gamepad Pro and Panda Mouse Pro from the same developer, and ShootingPlus. These can be found on the Play Market, though the first two are paid, costing $5.6 and $6.6, so keep that in mind.

Another application is ShootingPlus, available on both platforms. It’s free, but for this reason, users describe it as low-quality. In reviews, players report frequent crashes and errors that close the app, so whether to use it or not is up to you.

How to play PUBG Mobile with a controller on Android phones

Now that you know about the necessary tools, it’s time to explain how to play PUBG Mobile with a controller on Android phones. Follow these simple steps:

1. Connect your controller to the phone via Bluetooth.
2. Download the required app, such as Panda Gamepad Pro.
3. Open the app and complete the calibration and settings for your controller.
4. Launch PUBG Mobile through the Panda Gamepad Pro app.
5. Enjoy playing with the controller.

Note that even though you're playing on a mobile phone, the system will recognize you as an emulator player, so you’ll be matched with other emulator players, preventing any advantage from using a controller.

How to play PUBG Mobile with a controller on iOS phones

On iOS devices, it’s a bit harder because Apple enforces stricter controls on its App Store. But even so, methods are available, and they are similar to the steps on Android.

1. Download the necessary app, like ShootingPlus.
2. Connect your controller to the phone.
3. Open the app.
4. Follow the instructions and set up the app.
5. Launch PUBG Mobile using the app.

As you can see, the method for playing PUBG Mobile with a controller on iOS is similar to Android, with the only difference being the chosen app.

Risks of using third-party applications

Using the methods described above is quite risky, and our editorial team does not endorse the use of third-party applications. Moreover, there are two additional risks involved.

Developer Ban

The first and main risk is the possibility of being banned by the developers. As we mentioned above, the developers at PUBG Corporation do not support controller play, so such players are automatically considered violators. There’s a lot of information online about bans, so use the methods above at your own risk.

Data theft

The second risk is the potential theft of your personal data when using certain applications. While Panda Gamepad Pro has a large fanbase and thousands of reviews, other apps can be malicious. Once installed on your phone, they may immediately steal your data. This risk is heightened by YouTube videos suggesting you enable developer mode and grant access to the app. Use only trusted apps and never disclose personal information in suspicious apps.

Alternative for controller play

If you're deterred by the possibility of getting banned or losing your data, but still find it hard to play PUBG Mobile on your phone, certain alternatives exist. Known as PUBG Mobile triggers, they work as follows.

These are small mechanical tools that attach to your phone. When pressed, they instantly trigger the corresponding key on the screen, making it much easier to control, shoot, and perform other actions.

These elements make it easier to hold your phone, reduce hand fatigue, and help you quickly adapt to mobile gameplay. The main advantage of these devices is that they only exert external influence on the phone, without attaching to your system. This means developers will never ban you because they are fully legal and do not affect the system, thus protecting your data from theft.