Backbone Labs

Backbone Labs is an American technology company focused on mobile gaming hardware, gaming software, and connected gaming experiences. The company operates from offices in Atherton, California, and Seattle, Washington, and is best known for the Backbone One family of mobile gaming controllers and the Backbone app. The business was founded in 2018 by Maneet Khaira, who began developing the company while working at Google. Khaira’s objective was to make mobile gaming feel more coherent and accessible by bringing games, streaming services, social features, and controller support into a unified experience. Rather than treating a smartphone as an isolated gaming device, Backbone’s model connects it with a broad range of gaming ecosystems, including native mobile games, cloud gaming, console remote play, and PC streaming. Backbone’s first major hardware product, the Backbone One controller, launched on October 27, 2020. The controller fits around a compatible smartphone and provides physical controls intended to approximate the experience of a dedicated handheld or console controller. It was initially sold through limited product drops and later expanded into mainstream retail distribution. The product helped establish Backbone as a consumer electronics brand positioned between traditional console accessories and software platforms. The company’s software layer is the Backbone app, which acts as a discovery, launch, social, and content hub for mobile gaming. The app brings together games and services that would otherwise be accessed through separate applications. Supported ecosystems mentioned in reference material include Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link, Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, Boosteroid, Shadow, Apple Arcade, the Apple App Store, and Google Play. This cross-platform approach is central to Backbone’s positioning: the company presents the smartphone as a gateway to multiple gaming libraries rather than as a closed platform tied to one console manufacturer. Backbone added a paid software tier, Backbone+, in November 2021. The service introduced premium features such as Twitch streaming, enhanced recording tools, and additional Xbox integrations, along with selected promotional benefits and trials. The company also developed relationships with major gaming and technology businesses. Nvidia integrated GeForce Now with the Backbone platform in 2021, while Microsoft included Backbone in its Designed for Xbox partner hardware program and supported Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS. A later partnership with Sony produced a PlayStation-branded version of the Backbone One, designed to work with PlayStation Remote Play on iOS and Android. Backbone expanded its product range and compatibility over time. The Backbone One 2nd Generation, introduced in 2023, brought changes to the directional pad, phone stability, and included magnetic adapters intended to support more devices and phone cases. The second-generation line also broadened support across iOS and Android devices using USB-C connections. In 2024, Apple featured the controller in connection with the iPhone 16 launch, following Backbone’s announcement that the product was compatible with the new phone family. The company also released limited-edition products connected with Death Stranding and musician Post Malone. In May 2025, Backbone launched the Backbone Pro, a higher-end controller designed around improved ergonomics and additional hardware capabilities. Its features included wireless connectivity, rear buttons, and revised input components, extending the brand beyond the compact, phone-mounted format associated with the original Backbone One. Backbone has financed its growth through venture investment and strategic relationships rather than public-market listing. Its February 2022 Series A financing was reported as $40 million and was led by Index Ventures, with participation from technology, entertainment, and gaming investors. The company remains an active private technology and consumer electronics business. Its broader strategy is to make mobile devices a flexible interface for console-quality gaming, cloud services, social interaction, and game-related content creation.

Backbone Labs began in 2018 as a startup founded by Maneet Khaira while he was working at Google. Khaira was interested in making smartphone gaming more unified and easier to navigate. At the time, mobile players commonly moved between separate apps for native games, console remote play, cloud streaming, social communication, and game recording. Backbone’s concept was to combine these experiences through dedicated controller hardware and a software layer that could organize multiple gaming platforms. The company’s first major product was the Backbone One, launched on October 27, 2020. The device attached to a compatible smartphone and supplied physical controls for mobile games and streamed games. It was initially made available through limited product drops. The product’s role was broader than that of a conventional phone accessory because it was designed to work with the Backbone app, which served as a central interface for game discovery, launching, social activity, and content creation. Backbone’s early development was supported by investment from figures and organizations associated with online video, gaming, entertainment, and venture capital. The company also began building relationships with platform operators. In March 2021, it integrated Nvidia GeForce Now into the Backbone platform and presented the Backbone One as a recommended device. In June 2021, Microsoft brought Xbox Cloud Gaming support to iOS through the Backbone ecosystem. Backbone also joined the Designed for Xbox hardware program, and Xbox-branded packaging was created for the controller. The company continued to extend the software capabilities of its platform. In November 2021, it launched Backbone+, a paid service that added features such as Twitch streaming, enhanced recording, and Xbox-related integrations. A partnership with Twitch also connected Twitch features and game information from the IGDB database with the Backbone app. Earlier in 2021, Backbone had responded to fitment concerns surrounding the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max by producing an adapter and releasing a free open-source 3D-printable file. Backbone raised a reported $40 million Series A round on February 23, 2022. Index Ventures led the financing, with other participants including technology and entertainment investors. The funding provided capital for continued product development, software expansion, and distribution. Later in 2022, Backbone worked with Sony’s design team on the Backbone One—PlayStation Edition. Its appearance drew on the PlayStation DualSense design language, and it was made compatible with PlayStation Remote Play on both iOS and Android. The Sony relationship complemented the company’s earlier work with Microsoft and reinforced Backbone’s cross-platform positioning. In 2023, Backbone released the Backbone One 2nd Generation. The updated design refined the directional pad, improved smartphone stability, and used magnetic adapters to accommodate more phones and cases. It also expanded support to iOS and Android devices using USB-C connectors. Alongside product updates, Backbone increased retail availability through its own channels and retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Target, GameStop, and Verizon. Backbone pursued brand partnerships and special-edition hardware as another part of its product strategy. In January 2024, it collaborated with Kojima Productions on a limited Death Stranding Edition with translucent yellow styling and a bundled iOS version of Death Stranding: Director’s Cut. In June 2024, it released a limited-edition controller connected with Post Malone, using translucent green materials and glow-in-the-dark elements. In September 2024, Backbone announced compatibility between the second-generation controller and the iPhone 16, and Apple displayed the controller during its iPhone presentation. In May 2025, Backbone expanded upward in the controller market with Backbone Pro. The model emphasized improved ergonomics and introduced wireless connectivity, back buttons, and revised input hardware. This marked a move beyond the compact phone-mounted format that had defined the original Backbone One. Across its history, the company has remained focused on making smartphones a common access point for native games, cloud services, console remote play, PC streaming, and gaming-related social content.

• 2025

  Backbone Pro launches

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone introduces a more ergonomic controller with wireless connectivity and rear buttons.

• 2024

  Death Stranding Edition launches

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone collaborates with Kojima Productions on a limited-edition controller themed around Death Stranding.

• 2023

  Backbone One 2nd Generation launches

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  The second-generation controller introduces design refinements, magnetic adapters, and expanded compatibility.

• 2022

  Series A financing

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone announces a $40 million Series A led by Index Ventures.

• 2022

  PlayStation Edition is released

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone and Sony release a PlayStation-branded Backbone One compatible with PlayStation Remote Play.

• 2021

  GeForce Now integration

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone integrates Nvidia GeForce Now with the Backbone platform and presents the Backbone One as a recommended device.

• 2021

  Microsoft Xbox partnership

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone supports Xbox Cloud Gaming on iOS and joins Microsoft's Designed for Xbox partner hardware program.

• 2021

  Backbone+ launches

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  The company introduces a paid software tier with enhanced recording, Twitch streaming, and Xbox-related features.

• 2020

  Backbone One launches

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Backbone launches its first mobile gaming controller on October 27 and begins selling it through limited product drops.

• 2018

  Backbone is founded

  [1]Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Maneet Khaira establishes Backbone as a startup focused on making mobile gaming more cohesive across hardware, software, and gaming platforms.

A cross-platform mobile gaming ecosystem that combines smartphone controllers with game discovery, cloud gaming, console remote play, social features, and content creation.

• Mobile gaming controller · 2020

  Backbone One

  Backbone's original smartphone gaming controller, launched in 2020. It mounts around a compatible phone and provides physical controls for native mobile games, cloud-streamed games, console remote play, and PC streaming. The controller is designed to work closely with the Backbone app, which provides game discovery, launching, social functions, recording, and streaming-related features.

• Mobile gaming controller · 2023

  Backbone One 2nd Generation

  The second-generation Backbone One refines the original hardware with an updated directional pad, improved phone stability, and magnetic adapters. The design is intended to fit a wider selection of smartphones and phone cases. The generation expanded support across iOS and Android devices, including models using USB-C connectors, and became more broadly available through major retail channels.

• Branded mobile gaming controller · 2022

  Backbone One—PlayStation Edition

  A PlayStation-branded version of the Backbone One developed with Sony's design team. Its visual language is inspired by the PlayStation DualSense controller, while its software compatibility supports PlayStation Remote Play on iOS and Android devices. The product represents Backbone's effort to connect its accessory platform with established console ecosystems.

• Wireless mobile gaming controller · 2025

  Backbone Pro

  Introduced in 2025, Backbone Pro is a higher-end controller designed to improve ergonomics compared with earlier Backbone One models. It adds wireless connectivity, rear buttons, and revised input mechanisms, broadening the product line beyond controllers that must remain physically attached to a smartphone during use.

• Gaming software platform

  Backbone app

  The Backbone app is a social and content hub for mobile gaming. It organizes access to native mobile games, cloud gaming services, console remote-play systems, and PC streaming tools. Referenced integrations include Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link, Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, Boosteroid, Shadow, Apple Arcade, the App Store, and Google Play.

• Gaming software subscription · 2021

  Backbone+

  Backbone+ is a paid service introduced in 2021. It adds premium capabilities to the Backbone app, including Twitch streaming, enhanced recording options, and Xbox app integrations. The service has also been associated with promotional benefits such as selected trials and partner offers.

• 2024Death Stranding Edition

  International

  Backbone partnered with Kojima Productions on a limited-edition Backbone One themed around Death Stranding. The translucent yellow controller was bundled with an iOS copy of Death Stranding: Director's Cut.

  Outcome. The collaboration extended Backbone's limited-edition strategy into premium game-related merchandise.

  Source
• 2024Post Malone limited-edition controller

  International

  Backbone collaborated with Post Malone on a limited-edition controller inspired by his visual style and interest in gaming. The product used translucent green materials, glow-in-the-dark elements, an aluminum directional pad, and laser-etched buttons.

  Outcome. The release was limited to 500 units and broadened Backbone's use of entertainment collaborations for product promotion.

  Source
• 2021Backbone and Xbox Cloud Gaming integration

  United States · iOS markets served by Xbox Cloud Gaming

  Backbone worked with Microsoft to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS users and joined the Designed for Xbox partner hardware program. The collaboration positioned Backbone One as an accessory for Microsoft's cloud gaming ecosystem.

  Outcome. Backbone received Xbox-related distribution and branding support, including availability through the Microsoft Store and redesigned Xbox-branded packaging.

  Source
• 2021Backbone and Twitch integration

  International

  Backbone and Twitch integrated streaming and viewing functions into the Backbone app through Backbone+. The partnership also used Twitch's IGDB database to provide richer game information.

  Outcome. Twitch features became accessible from the Backbone software environment.

  Source

• 2025

  Backbone Pro launchProduct launch

  Background

  Backbone expanded beyond the compact controller format associated with its original product line and targeted users seeking more ergonomic features.

  Action taken

  The company launched Backbone Pro with wireless connectivity, rear buttons, and improved input mechanisms.

  Aftermath

  The launch extended Backbone's hardware portfolio into a more feature-rich controller segment.

  Source

• 2023

  Backbone One 2nd GenerationGeneration change

  Background

  The original controller required continued hardware refinement as smartphones, connectors, camera modules, and phone cases changed.

  Action taken

  Backbone introduced an updated controller with a refined directional pad, improved stability, magnetic adapters, and broader iOS and Android compatibility.

  Aftermath

  The updated line supported wider retail distribution and improved compatibility with newer smartphones.

  Source

• 2022

  Series A growth financingStrategy

  Background

  Backbone pursued additional capital to support its mobile gaming hardware, software platform, and partnerships with major gaming ecosystems.

  Action taken

  The company announced a $40 million Series A led by Index Ventures.

  Aftermath

  The financing supported the company's continued product development and market expansion; specific allocation details were not provided in the cited material.

  Series A financing. $40 million raised (Announced February 23, 2022)

  Source

• 2022

  PlayStation Edition partnershipProduct launch

  Background

  Backbone's cross-platform strategy created an opportunity to associate its controller with a major console brand.

  Action taken

  Backbone and Sony developed and released a PlayStation-branded Backbone One compatible with PlayStation Remote Play.

  Aftermath

  The product gave Backbone a formal relationship with Sony while complementing its existing Microsoft partnership.

  Source

• 2021

  Launch of Backbone+Product launch

  Background

  Backbone sought to extend its hardware business with recurring software features and a more comprehensive in-app gaming experience.

  Action taken

  The company introduced Backbone+, adding premium recording, Twitch streaming, and Xbox-related integrations.

  Aftermath

  Backbone continued developing its app as a platform rather than limiting the brand to physical controller sales.

  Source

1. 1Backbone Labsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Backbone official websiteplaybackbone.com