MacRumors reader Pdfu has been on fire lately, uncovering new camera features for the iPhone, as well as new features for the upcoming Apple Watch lineup. Now comes word that he has spotted code in the macOS 26.7 release candidate that references two as yet unreleased Apple gaming controllers.
Pdfu says:
Apple has tested at least two unreleased game controllers, according to code briefly included in macOS 26.7.
The first release candidate contained substantial support for two devices identified as
T6502andT1057. macOS added software for recognizing the hardware, reading input from controls and sensors, and sending commands to the controllers’ vibration system. The same T6502 and T1057 profiles also appeared in macOS’siOSSupportcopy ofGameController, which is used by compatible iPhone and iPad apps running on a Mac.
A feature comparison between the two controllers is as follows:
|
Feature
|
T6502
|
T1057
|
| Main controls | A, B, X, and Y; D-pad; two clickable thumbsticks; shoulder buttons; analog triggers | Same |
| Center buttons | Home, Menu, and Options | Home and Menu |
| Connectivity | Apple USB | Apple USB, Apple Bluetooth, Beats USB |
| Motion input | None | Accelerometer and gyroscope |
| Haptic localities | Left and right handles | One whole-controller actuator |
| Haptic innovation | Normal and Synthetic software channels | OS discovers built-in click, buzz, and rumble effects from the device |
We’ve seen several rumors about Apple-made game controllers over the years, but so far none of those claims have come to fruition.
It should be noted that while the code found in the first macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC could point to an Apple controller in the works, it could also be pointing to internal test hardware Apple uses for testing game controller code and support. The report says Apple removed the code in the second macOS Tahoe 26.7 RC.