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How to connect and use your PS4 controller on a PS5

You can use the DualShock 4 on your PS5, but there is a catch.
By
September 6, 2022

If you’re wondering whether or not you can use your DualShock 4 controller on a PS5, the answer is yes, but with some limitations. The biggest caveat is that you can only use a PS4 controller to play PS4 games on your PS5 console. However, you can use a PS4 controller to play PS5 games streamed from your console to another device, such as a PC, via PS Remote Play. Here’s how to connect and use your PS4 controller to a PlayStation5.

Read more: How to control your PS4 from your PS5

QUICK ANSWER

A USB cable is the quickest way to connect a PS4 controller to your PS5. Use a Micro-USB cable and plug one end into the DualShock 4 and the other end into a USB-A port on your PS5. Power on both devices, and they will sync.

How to connect and use your PS4 controller on a PS5

If you’re planning to buy a PS5, you might be wondering if your older DualShock 4 controllers for the PlayStation 4 will work on the new console. The good news is that you can use the DualShock 4 controller to play PS4 games on your PlayStation5 console. Unfortunately, you cannot play PS5 games with a PS4 controller on the next-gen console. Players will need to use a DualSense controller to play PS5 games.

To use your PS4 controller on a PS5, you can use a Micro-USB cable to connect the controller to your console. Once connected, press the PS button at the center of the DualShock 4 to turn the controller on and link it to your PS5. Once the controller is fully charged, you can unplug the USB cable to use the DualShock 4 wirelessly.

micro USB Cable

If you don’t have a USB cable, you can try pairing the PS4 controller to your PS5 wirelessly. Navigate to the settings menu from the PS5 homepage and select Accessories –> General, and choose Bluetooth accessories. Once the PS5 begins scanning for devices to pair, press and hold the Share button and the PlayStation button on the DualShock 4 until the light on the top of the controller begins to flash rapidly.

DualShock 4 Bluetooth accessory on PS5 menu

You will see DUALSHOCK 4 appear in the list of available devices. Select that to complete the pairing process.


Read more: How to pair the PS4 controller to various devices

FAQs

No, the DualSense controller is not backwards compatible to work with the PS4. However, you can use the DualSense controller to play PS4 games on your PlayStation5 console.