How to Play PC Games with Your Phone as a Controller
This guide shows you exactly how to use your Android or iPhone as a free wireless Xbox 360 controller for Windows PC games. From download to first button press in 3 steps.
Step 1 — Download the Apps
On your phone: go to the Download page and get the Gamepad app. Android users can download the APK directly. iPhone users can find it on the App Store.
On your PC: download the Gamepad Server for Windows from the same Download page. This is a standard Windows installer (.exe) — run it and follow the prompts. It installs the ViGEmBus virtual controller driver automatically.
Step 2 — Connect Phone to PC
Open the Gamepad Server on your PC. It displays a QR code. Open the Gamepad app on your phone and tap the QR scan button. Point the camera at the QR code on your PC screen — the connection establishes in under 3 seconds.
Your phone is now a virtual Xbox 360 controller recognised by Windows. You can verify this by opening Windows Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Game Controllers and seeing "Xbox 360 Controller" listed.
Scan QR Code
One scan connects automatically — no IP address or network settings needed.
Windows Confirms
Check Game Controllers in Windows Settings to verify detection.
Ready to Play
Open any game — it detects the controller and switches to gamepad mode.
Step 3 — Launch a Game and Play
Open any PC game that supports controllers. Most modern games detect XInput controllers automatically — Fortnite, GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, FIFA, Elden Ring, and thousands of Steam and Epic titles switch to controller mode when they detect the virtual Xbox 360 controller.
For games that do not auto-detect, go into the game's settings and enable "Controller" or "Gamepad" input. Some older games require DirectInput mode instead of XInput — the Gamepad app supports both.
Download Free and Start Playing
Android APK, iOS App Store, Windows Server — all free from the Download page.