visionOS 26 to Support PlayStation, Xbox, and Spatial Controllers Natively
Apple’s gaming ambitions grow with new controller support and a unified Games app on the horizon
A New Era for Gaming on Vision Pro
Apple is set to supercharge its gaming ecosystem on the Vision Pro with the upcoming visionOS 26 update, bringing native support for PlayStation, Xbox, and spatial controllers. This move aims to transform the device from a productivity-heavy tool into a viable platform for immersive gaming.
- The update will officially include motion-aware spatial controllers, designed specifically for 3D interaction in spatial computing environments.
- This support has technically existed since visionOS 1.0, but developers have yet to widely adopt it due to its limited visibility and usability.
What’s New in Controller Support?
Apple Vision Pro already allows Bluetooth gamepads like those from PlayStation, Xbox, and MFi to pair and be customized per game. What changes with visionOS 26:
- Controller support will now be surfaced more clearly, including alerts in the App Store before purchasing controller-dependent games.
- New App Store badges will differentiate between:
- Games requiring traditional Bluetooth controllers (PlayStation, Xbox, MFi)
- Games requiring spatial controllers, meant for gesture-based, 3D gameplay
Apple has also partnered with Sony to bring PlayStation VR2 controller compatibility to Vision Pro. This collaboration has reportedly been in the works for months.
Deeper System Integration and Developer Outreach
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has not only finalized deals with Sony, but also begun reaching out to third-party developers:
- Apple is encouraging studios to integrate controller support directly into their Vision Pro titles.
- The aim is to offer console-level gaming capabilities in the spatial computing space.
These efforts suggest Apple wants Vision Pro to bridge traditional gaming with spatial experiences, rather than replace one with the other.
New Games App Coming Across Apple Platforms
In parallel, Apple is preparing a brand-new Games app, expected to launch with iOS 26, macOS 26, and beyond:
- This will serve as a centralized hub for Apple Arcade, App Store titles, and side-loaded games on macOS.
- Features may include:
- A “Play Now” tab to show friends’ activities and progress
- Leaderboards, achievements, and challenges—echoing the old Game Center
- Integration with FaceTime and iMessage for in-game chat and social play
- Potential mini-games using App Clip–style delivery
Apple’s recent acquisition of the indie studio behind Sneaky Sasquatch also signals deeper investment in original gaming content.
When Will This All Be Announced?
Although Apple has been laying groundwork for months, it’s still unclear if the full feature set—especially spatial controller support—will be unveiled at WWDC 2025 next week.
- At minimum, Apple is expected to showcase gaming improvements for visionOS and iOS 26.
- The larger rollout of the Games app and controller expansion may come later this year.
Final Thoughts
With visionOS 26, Apple is positioning the Vision Pro as more than just a productivity or entertainment device. Native support for console-grade and spatial controllers, a unified Games app, and growing developer engagement show that Apple is serious about making gaming a core part of its ecosystem.
