Looking for ways to connect the PS5 controller to the PS4? The intent behind this query might be curiosity about its features, or your old controller is broken. Now the question arises: Do PS5 controllers work on PS4?
The answer is simple: PS5 controllers don’t work with PS4, but you have to do some workarounds to make it work. Sony’s official answer is that PS5 controllers are not compatible with, or designed to work on, the PS4. If you plug it in with a USB cable, it will charge, but pressing the buttons won’t work. Before diving into the ways, let’s first understand the difference between DualShock (PS4) and DualSense (PS5) and their connectivity.
PS4 Controller vs PS5 Controller – What’s the Difference?
| Feature | DualShock 4 (PS4) | DualSense (PS5) | PS5 Controller on PS4 |
| Native PS4 Support | Yes | No | No |
| USB Charging on PS4 | Yes+Input | Charge only | Charge only |
| Haptic Feedback | Rumble | Advanced Haptics | Not on PS4 |
| Adaptive Triggers | No | Yes | Not on PS4 |
| Battery Life | ~4–8 hrs | ~6–12 hrs | Varies |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | BT 4.0 | BT 5.1 | Via Adapter |
Bottom line: The DualSense is the better controller by a wide margin, but many of its best features won’t activate on a PS4, even through an adapter.
3 Ways to Use a PS5 Controller on PS4
Here are some ways ranked from best to workaround, whatever suits you and your budget.
1. Bluetooth USB Adapter (Best Method)
- Cost: ~$20–$30
- Difficulty: Easy
- Compatibility: Great
The Mayflash Magic-S Pro is the fan-favourite here. Plug it into your PS4’s USB port, pair the DualSense to it, and you’re good to start. This is the easiest solution.
Steps
- Plug the Mayflash Magic-S Pro adapter into your PS4’s USB port
- Put the adapter into pairing mode (hold the button until it flashes)
- On the DualSense, hold PS + Create until the light bar blinks
- Wait for both devices to handshake. Solid light means connected
- Launch your game and enjoy
You’ll get basic button input haptics, and adaptive triggers stay dormant.
2. Brook Wingman Converter
- Cost: ~$25–$40
- Difficulty: Easy–Medium
- Compatibility: Solid
The Brook Wingman XE / PS converters support cross-gen controller mapping. More feature-rich than the Mayflash in some scenarios, though some users report occasional compatibility quirks.
Steps
- Plug the Brook converter into your PS4’s USB slot
- Connect the DualSense via USB cable to the converter
- Follow Brook’s firmware setup using their desktop app (one-time)
- Start playing. A wired connection means near-zero lag
Some games may behave unexpectedly due to button remapping differences.
3. PS4 Remote Play via PC (Workaround)
- Cost: Free
- Difficulty: Medium
- Compatibility: Use as Last Resort
Stream your PS4 gameplay to a PC or Mac, then connect your DualSense directly to the computer via USB. You will be able to play PS4 just through a screen-sharing layer.
- Go to Settings and enable Remote Play on your PS4
- Download the PS Remote Play app on PC/Mac
- Plug the DualSense into your PC via USB-C
- Launch Remote Play and connect to your PS4
This option is not ideal for fast-paced games. It shows input lag and also kills the point of playing “on your PS4.”
Should you use a PS5 Controller on PS4?
If your PS4 controller is working fine and you are just thinking of buying a PS5 controller, it’s not worth it. If you are planning to upgrade to a PS5 console, investing in a PS5 controller is a great idea.
Otherwise, if you already have a PS4 controller at home, you should use that, as it’s a better and intended option. Using a PS5 controller will make you lose its core benefits. You will be paying for a fancy controller but only getting the basics.
Other Ways to Use the DualSense Controller
Apart from the PS4, the DualSense controller can be connected to other devices, including PC, MAC, Android, and iOS, via Bluetooth and USB cable.
1. Turn On Pairing Mode
- Make sure the controller is OFF
- Press and hold: PS button + Create button
- Wait until the light starts blinking blue rapidly
2. Enable Bluetooth on Your Device
- Go to Settings
- Open Bluetooth
- Turn Bluetooth ON
3. Search for Devices
- Tap “Pair new device” / “Add device”
- Wait for the device list to appear
4. Select Controller
- Tap “DualSense Wireless Controller”
5. Confirm Connection
- Light will stop blinking and stay solid
- Your device will show Connected
Alternative (Wired Method – Works on Most Devices)
- Plug the controller using a USB-C cable
- Connect to device (PC, Mac, some Android devices)
- The device should auto-detect the controller
PC games support the DualSense as the generic controller. On mobile devices, you can enjoy cloud streaming services, or you can play games through Remote Play. Please note that some features may not work on all platforms.
The Final Verdict
The PS5 controller is designed for the PS5 console. It has an ergonomic design and advanced features such as immersive haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that stimulate physical resistance. On the other hand, DualShock was made for PS4 hardware. You can connect the PS5 DualSense to the PS4 with a ~$20 Bluetooth adapter and play your PS4 library with Sony’s best controller yet. But sadly, it has its limitations, and you may miss the Dualsense experience.
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