# Backbone — Next-Level Play

> Mobile gaming controller app for iPhone and iPad with recording and social features. (iPhone/iPad app by Backbone Labs, Inc.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Backbone Labs, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449660662)
- Category: Social Networking, Lifestyle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 98,796 App Store ratings · 846 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 405 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified, China), Latin American Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)
- Released: 2020-10-19
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663/reviews.md

## What is Backbone?

Backbone turns your iPhone and iPad Mini into the ultimate gaming device.

■ Play any game or service that supports game controllers.

The Backbone One controller works with services like PS Remote Play, Xbox Game Pass (xCloud), Apple Arcade, Xbox Remote Play, Google Stadia, and Amazon Luna.

It also works with games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Minecraft and Genshin Impact.

Press the Backbone Button to bring up the app and launch into your favorite games that support controllers from one place. 

■ Record, edit, and share epic gaming clips

Backbone One has a built-in Capture button that allows you to easily screen record or screenshot gameplay and share directly to social platforms like Instagram Stories and iMessage, all directly from your mobile device.

■ Never miss a moment

Hold the Capture Button to bookmark a moment when recording. Forgot to bookmark? Once a video is captured, Backbone’s app helps you identify your most action-packed moments automatically, allowing you to show off your best moments and highlights with ease.

■ Party with your friends

With Backbone’s Rich Presence feature, you can get push notifications when your friends start playing games on Backbone, making it easy to join the action in real-time. Once you see a friend online, you can link up for voice chat inside the app and move from game to game, seamlessly.

To learn more, download the app or visit https://backbone.com/

A Backbone+ subscription is required for some features within the app. 

Any feedback? Use the in-app feedback tool, ping us at support@playbackbone.com or tweet us @backbone

Terms of Use:  https://backbone.com/terms/

## Key features

- Play any game or service supporting controllers
- Record, edit, and share gameplay clips
- Automatic highlight detection
- Friend notifications and in-app voice chat
- Centralized game launcher

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Backbone+ | $7.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $49.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $3.99 | per month |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ 4 | $39.99 | per year |
| Backbone+ | $29.99 | per year |


## Chart rankings

- #130 in Top Free · Social Networking (US App Store)
- #55 in Top Grossing · Social Networking (US App Store)

## What do users think of Backbone?

Overall sentiment: neutral

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great gaming experience
- 👍 Seamless integration with app
- 🎮 Feels like a dedicated gaming device
- 💡 Turns phone into a portable console
- 🎨 Sleek and premium design

**Cons**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Locked features behind paywall
- 🔌 Requires removing phone case
- 🎮 Ergonomics not ideal for all games
- 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Random disconnections during gameplay
- App crashes and freezes
- Issues with controller button mapping
- Incompatibility with certain games

**Most requested features**

- Allow use without subscription
- Add more customization options
- Improve compatibility with various phone models
- Integrate with more cloud gaming services

## Recent user reviews (10 of 846)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/backbone-next-level-play/id1449660663/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Warranty issue outside USA

*2026-08-17, version 1.10.1*

I’m in Australia and I bought my backbone one directly on backbone.com. And it is faulty. Two months ago I submitted a warranty claim. It’s approved. But I was not provided a paid shipping label. I requested and got replied “waiting for their internal team to update”. 

I waited for one month and no response. I decided to pay for the shipping myself. I followed the return instructions and provided them the Australian Post tracking number. The faulty controller was delivered a month ago. And they claimed their warehouse still hasn’t received it. Since then I received no response from Backbone despite I constantly asked for updates.

### 4/5 — Yes

*2026-08-17, version 1.10.1*

It’s good

### 5/5 — Backbone rocks to me. (PlayStation Version)

*2026-08-15, version 1.10.1*

Great App…it does what it’s supposed and designed to do.

### 3/5 — it was good until may

*2026-08-14, version 1.10.1*

i literally haven’t been able to use the app since may this year

### 5/5 — Best thing since sliced bread

*2026-08-12, version 1.10.1*

I remember pre-ordering my backbone and have not looked back since so many of my favorite games, can be saved and became so much fun and easier to play. Streaming became more effortless as well.

### 1/5 — Logged me out for no reason

*2026-08-11, version 1.10.1*

Keeps logging me out of my Xbox account & it logged me out of the app

### 2/5 — Issues

*2026-08-10, version 1.10.1*

Worked good for a while but now most driving/off-road game don’t work would like to understand why please get back about this

### 5/5 — My favourite games

*2026-08-09, version 1.10.1*

Can you please do something where I can play Brawl stars and free fire with the back bone controller ,please it would level up my gaming experience

### 1/5 — Glitchy

*2026-08-09, version 1.10.1*

Very glitchy with perfectly good back bone

### 5/5 — Great Gaming App

*2026-08-08, version 1.10.1*

This is a very helpful app for gaming and it gives you
free stuff.

## Frequently asked questions about Backbone

### What does the Backbone app do?

The Backbone app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a premium gaming device. It allows you to play any game or service that supports game controllers, including popular platforms like Xbox Game Pass and Apple Arcade. The app also provides tools to record, edit, and share your gameplay highlights.

### What are the key features of the Backbone app?

Key features include the ability to play a wide variety of controller-supported games and services, a built-in Capture button for easy screen recording and screenshots, automatic detection of action-packed moments for highlight reels, and a Rich Presence feature that allows you to see when friends are playing and join them for voice chat.

### Is the Backbone app free to use?

The Backbone app itself is free to download and use. However, some advanced features within the app require a Backbone+ subscription. This subscription model allows for enhanced functionality beyond the basic gaming and recording capabilities.

### What devices is the Backbone app compatible with?

The Backbone app is designed to work with iPhones and iPad Minis, turning them into ultimate gaming devices. It leverages the Backbone One controller to provide a console-like gaming experience on these Apple mobile devices.

### How can I use the Backbone app for gaming?

You can use the Backbone app by connecting the Backbone One controller to your iPhone or iPad. Once connected, you can launch the app to access and play any game or service that supports game controllers, such as PS Remote Play, Xbox Game Pass, and Apple Arcade, all from one convenient place.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.10.2 — 2026-08-17

Bug fixes, enhancements, and performance improvements

### 1.10.1 — 2026-08-06

Bug fixes, enhancements, and performance improvements

### 1.10.0 — 2026-07-16

Bug fixes, enhancements, and performance improvements

### 1.9.26 — 2026-03-02

Bug fixes, enhancements, and performance improvements

### 1.9.25 — 2026-02-09

Bug fixes, enhancements, and performance improvements

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## Related topics

[backbone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone) · [backbone games](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone-games) · [backbone ps5](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone-ps5) · [backbone one](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone-one) · [xbox backbone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/xbox-backbone) · [playstation backbone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/playstation-backbone) · [stadia](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/stadia) · [backbone pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone-pro) · [ps backbone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ps-backbone) · [stadiaconnect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/stadiaconnect) · [backbone controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/backbone-controller) · [bone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/bone) · [taieb meftah](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/taieb-meftah) · [the connective hub](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-connective-hub) · [next lvl app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/next-lvl-app) · [mobile games controller](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/mobile-games-controller) · [piayaibert mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/piayaibert-mobile) · [jakub stachecki](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/jakub-stachecki) · [jfsl mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/jfsl-mobile) · [ps app play](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ps-app-play)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*