NOTE: Backbone+ Membership is not available on Android at this time, but will be available soon! You can still download the Backbone App.
Not at all! Backbone+ membership enhances your free Backbone app, and you don't need either to game with your Backbone One controller! Let's break it down:
Backbone App - a free app with features like controller firmware updates and joystick calibration, and button remapping. We recommend you download this free app in order to keep your Backbone One controller firmware updated.
Backbone+ Membership - a premium subscription inside the Backbone app to manage all your games in one place, 20+ features unlocked, exclusive perks, personalized game recommendations, streaming directly to Twitch, and more. A Backbone+ subscription is NOT required to play games with your Backbone One controller, but you will be signed up for a free trial when you first open the app. This can be canceled at any time.
See the difference between using the Backbone App with and without Backbone+ here.
To use your Backbone One without using the Backbone App, just attach the Backbone One to your device and open any controller-compatible games you have downloaded to your device.