Can You Use a PS5 Controller on PS4?

Q: Can You Use a PS5 Controller on PS4?

Unfortunately, you cannot use a DualSense PS5 controller on PS4 . Several people have tested this and found that, although a PS4 will charge a DualSense when plugged in, the controller won't be recognised by the console. Tapping the PS button on a DualSense while wired to a PS4 doesn't do anything, and the DualSense won't work with the console if you try to connect via Bluetooth pairing, either. There is one way to get it to work, and that's via Remote Play. Plug your DualSense controller into your PC and begin Remote Play with your PS4, and you'll be able to control your PS4 with the PS5 controller. It's a bit convoluted, but it works. It's worth noting that new features such as adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and the built-in microphone array wouldn't work with PS4 games anyway. You won't get any of the benefits the DualSense brings because PS4 games are not built for them, so you might as well just use your regular old DualShock 4.

Will DualSense work with PlayStation 4?

by Sammy Barker Thu 12th Nov 2020

Can you use a PS5 controller on PS4? We've already answered whether you can use a PS4 controller on PS5, but what about the other way around? Will the DualSense work with the PlayStation 4? As part of our PS5 guide, we're going to reveal whether you can use Sony's brand new pad on your current-gen console. For more information, be sure to check out the following: PS5 Controller: DualSense Features, Price, and Battery Life.

Can You Use a PS5 Controller on PS4?

Unfortunately, you cannot use a DualSense PS5 controller on PS4. Several people have tested this and found that, although a PS4 will charge a DualSense when plugged in, the controller won't be recognised by the console.

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Tapping the PS button on a DualSense while wired to a PS4 doesn't do anything, and the DualSense won't work with the console if you try to connect via Bluetooth pairing, either.

There is one way to get it to work, and that's via Remote Play. Plug your DualSense controller into your PC and begin Remote Play with your PS4, and you'll be able to control your PS4 with the PS5 controller. It's a bit convoluted, but it works.

It's worth noting that new features such as adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and the built-in microphone array wouldn't work with PS4 games anyway. You won't get any of the benefits the DualSense brings because PS4 games are not built for them, so you might as well just use your regular old DualShock 4.

Were you hoping to use a PS5 controller on PS4? Check out our PS5 guide, and let us know in the comments section below.

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Total_Weirdo
Fri 31st Jul 2020

Can't wait for the PS5.

I'm all saved up and ready to spend!!!!!!

2
Cls_grcd
Sun 2nd Aug 2020

Clickbait articles with no actual new knowledge or information. We expect better from Push Square than resorting to such cheap tactics to drive up clicks. You already have one article - unashamedly linking to it here, where you ask if PS4 controllers work on PS5 and you say "Sony’s yet to officially confirm whether PS4 controllers will work on the PS5, but it makes sense for the PlayStation 5 to support the DualShock 4 given that the console is completely backwards compatible with the PlayStation 4". In other words, you don't know - but make a guess. Now you do the same, saying "Sony's yet to confirm whether you can use a PS5 controller on PS4, but given it has the same range of inputs, then it's possible. However, usage may be limited".

In other words, you don't know. You speculate. You've made two different articles for what could be summarised in a single tweet, and you also managed to get promoted by Google so that these two spam click bait articles appear in everyone's news feeds.

This is not news. You used to have far more integrity and better content. What happened? What's up with all your articles?

3
Kerr1416
Sat 17th Oct 2020

Yes I hope it is like the ps4 controller on ps3. Especially since the release of the controller is oct 30

4
karmamule
Mon 2nd Nov 2020

@Cls_grcd Agreed, this non-article is cheap and annoying. I'll be blocking pushsquare from showing up on my news feeds if they keep up with this sort of content.

5
XxsupremesavagexX
Fri 25th Dec 2020

I dont have a PC i spent money on the dual sense and i was hoping if sony atleast make an update were ws can connect the dualsense to the PS4

6
Dominatso
Sat 6th Mar 2021

I actually bought one thinking it would work both on the PC and my Pro but. Also because my DS4 was defective but i don't regret a thing. Via steam and adding my non steam games (and stores attached tot them btw) everything works flawlessly.

I have no stick drift whatsoever and this, even without the haptic feedback has to be the most precise stick control i have ever noticed in a controller.

I tried 3 games without steam support and out of 3 worked even then and i have the DS4 driver and setup installed with which you can do even more but i don't really need it.

BTW Haptic feedback support is in Shenmue 3 on the PC which you can get to work with a workaround using the DS4 driver.

7
rjejr
Fri 16th Apr 2021

@Dominatso Month late reply but I have a question - you ever try the PS5 controller w/ Gamepass on PC? Not Xbox itself, that would just be silly. 😁 I'm playing on PC now w/ my PS4 controller but I have to keep moving it back and forth between PC and my PS4. I don't have a PS5 but I have $50 credit expiring at Best Buy next month so I wss thinking of buying a DS5 ( or whatever Sony calls it) for when I do get a PS5, hopefully in June when Ratchet & Clank hopefully releases.

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