How to Connect a Controller to iPhone for eNES

Which controllers work?

eNES works with the Bluetooth game controllers that iOS supports (MFi and the common console controllers), plus many controllers that plug into the port or clip around the phone. If iOS recognizes it as a game controller, eNES can read it.

How to connect a controller to iPhone via Bluetooth

Put the controller in pairing mode. On most models you hold a pairing or share button until a light flashes; check its manual.
On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is on.
Tap the controller's name under Other Devices. It moves to My Devices when paired.
Open eNES, tap a game and tap Play. Press any button: the controller now drives the game.

Pairing happens once. Next time, just switch the controller on before or during a game and eNES picks it up again.

Button layout in eNES

How controller buttons map to the consoles
On your controller	NES game	SNES game
D-pad or left stick	D-pad	D-pad
Face buttons	A and B	A, B, X and Y
Shoulder buttons	Not used	Left Shoulder and Right Shoulder
Menu and options buttons	Start and Select	Start and Select

Two players

Connect a second controller and eNES assigns it to player 2. If one disconnects, the other moves to player 1 automatically, so a single remaining pad always controls the main player.

Play on a TV with a controller

Start a game, then connect an AirPlay receiver or an HDMI adapter. The game appears on the big screen and the iPhone keeps showing the touch controls. With a controller in hand you can put the phone down and play from the sofa.

Tidy up the screen

Turn on Hide With Controller in Settings and the touch controls disappear while a controller is connected, then come back when you disconnect it.
Prefer to keep them? Lower their Opacity under Personalization instead.

Troubleshooting

The controller connects but nothing happens: press a button once in the game, or quit and reopen the game.
It will not pair: remove it from Bluetooth in iOS Settings (Forget This Device) and pair again, or charge it.
It is paired with another device: turn Bluetooth off on that device first, since many controllers only reconnect to the last one.
A button feels unresponsive: check the controller's battery, then test it in another game.

Questions and answers

Can I use two controllers in eNES?

Yes. eNES reads up to two connected controllers at once, one for each player.

Do I need to set up buttons in eNES?

No. eNES maps a connected controller automatically; there is no pairing screen inside the app.

Can I use a keyboard on iPad?

Yes, eNES supports an external keyboard on iPad for playing, in addition to game controllers.

How to connect a controller to iPhone and play eNES with it