Connecting your PS5 controller to your PS5 is a crucial first step in your gaming journey. The PS5 DualSense controller is a marvel of modern gaming technology.
It features adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, and a built-in microphone, all designed to enhance your gaming experience.
This article will discuss the detailed process of connecting your PS5 controller to your PS5 and other devices.
Table of Contents
How to Connect and Pair a PS5 Controller to the PS5
When you first set up your console, you must first pair the controller with your PS5.
- Turn on your console and connect the DualSense controller to the USB-C cable included.
- If the controller is turned off, press the PS button on the center of the controller. The light bar on top of the controller should blink, and the player indicator LED should light up.
- Once the controller is working, disconnect the USB-C cable to use the controller wirelessly.
You will periodically need to charge the controller by connecting it to the console or a wall charger. The controller will charge while the PS5 is in sleep mode. - If prompted, update the system software to make sure the controller has the latest firmware updates.
Once a controller is paired with the system, you can turn on the PS5 by pressing the PS button on the controller. The light bar may flash blue until it connects with the console.
You can connect a PS4 controller to a PS5 controller to play PS4 games; however, you can’t play PS5 games with the PS4 controller. You can also use the DualSense with a PS4.
Connecting Additional Controllers to the PS5
You can use your connected controller to pair additional controllers over their wireless connection. This is perfect for when the USB ports on your PS5 are already populated.
- Confirm the controller you are pairing is turned off
- Before pairing, check the light bar of your controller. If the light bar is on, you can press and hold the center PS logo button until the light turns off.
- Access the Bluetooth Accessories menu in the PS5 settings
- Go to Settings by navigating to the top right corner of the PS5 home screen. Once you’re in there, navigate to ‘accessories’, then to ‘general’, then to ‘Bluetooth Accessories’.
- Press and hold the Create button and the PS logo button at the same time
- When you’re on the Bluetooth Accessories page, turn on your PS5 controller by pressing down on the PlayStation logo and waiting for the light to turn on. Then, on your TV, look for it in “Accessories Found”. Select it with the DualSense controller already connected.
How to Connect a PS5 Controller to a Windows PC
Most Windows PC devices support the controller via a USB-C wired connection. Simply plug the controller into an available USB port and your PC will recognize the device as a compatible gamepad. The PS5 controller also supports Bluetooth with minimal setup. Here’s how to connect a PS5 controller to a PC via Bluetooth.
- Open the Settings page on your PC and click on the “Devices” section
- You want to make sure Bluetooth is turned on. This will allow your computer to recognize compatible devices and connect to them wirelessly via Bluetooth. If your computer does not natively support Bluetooth connections, you can also purchase an adapter for Bluetooth support.
- Press and hold the create button and the PS logo button at the same time until the light bar blinks
- This will put your controller in pairing mode, and you’ll be able to see it show up in the available devices list. Your PS5 controller can only pair with one device at a time, so you will have to repeat this process if you decide to pair it with something else.
- Select “Add Bluetooth or other device” and choose the option that says “Bluetooth” to begin searching for compatible devices
- Your computer will begin looking for devices in the air that can pair with it wirelessly via Bluetooth. It may take a moment for your PS5 controller to appear.
- Select “DualSense Wireless Controller” from the list of devices on your computer
- Select your controller from the list of available devices once it appears. Your computer should confirm once your device is ready to be used. You can then click Done and use your controller with your PC!
How to Connect a PS5 Controller to a Mac
Your Mac should recognize a PS5 controller as a gamepad when plugged into a USB port, just like with a PC. If you are not using a wired connection, the process for connecting via Bluetooth will be similar:
- Press and hold the create button and the PS logo button at the same time until the light bar blinks
- On your Mac, open the Apple menu, open System Settings, then click Bluetooth in the sidebar
- Select the DualSense Wireless Controller in the list of devices and click Connect
How to Connect a PS5 Controller to Android
If you’re looking to play games on your phone, both Android and iOS support the PS5 DualSense controller. It might not be as smooth as playing games natively on the touchpad, but going through the process is absolutely worth it, especially if you’re streaming console games.
- Press and hold the create button and the PS logo button at the same time until the light bar blinks.
- Open the settings page on your Android device and select Bluetooth. Confirm that Bluetooth is turned on
- Click the scan option
- Under “Available Devices” select “DualSense Wireless Controller”
How to Connect a PS5 Controller to an iPhone
Likewise, connecting a PS5 controller to your iPhone is incredibly simple. And now that iPhones support USB-C, it’s going to get even easier.
- Press and hold the create button and the PS logo button at the same time until the light bar blinks
- Open the settings page on your iPhone and select Bluetooth. Confirm that Bluetooth is turned on
- Under “My Devices” select “DualSense Wireless Controller”
PS5 Controller Troubleshooting Steps
If you’re having problems pairing your PS5 controller with the PS5 console, here are a few things you can try:
- Reset the PS5 controller. Use a straightened paperclip or another pointy object to press the sync button found inside a small hole on the back of the controller.
- Try using a different USB-C cable to connect the controller to the console.
- Update the system software. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.
If your controller is completely unresponsive, go to Sony’s PlayStation Fix and Replace page to see if you can get it repaired.
Conclusion
Connecting your PS5 controller to your PS5 is a simple yet essential task that can significantly impact your gaming experience. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth setup and enjoy the innovative features of the DualSense controller.
FAQs
Ensure the controller is charged and the PS5’s Bluetooth is enabled. Restart both devices if necessary.
Contact PlayStation support for further assistance if basic troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue.
You can’t sync your PS4 to a PS5, but you can transfer data from the older console to the new one. It’s possible to copy your games and saved data through a Wi-Fi transfer, a cloud storage transfer, or by using a USB storage device.
Unless you already have a different controller connected to your PS5, you can’t sync a DualSense controller to the console without the use of a USB-C cable. However, if you do have a working controller connected (either wirelessly or physically), you can wirelessly sync another controller through Settings.
Make sure the USB headset is charged, then plug the USB adapter into the console. Once ready, turn on the headset and watch the blinking blue light. Once it stops blinking and glows a solid blue, the headset is successfully paired.