How to Connect PS4 Controller to a PS5

Just plug it in and start playing

by
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Writer
Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Jennifer Allen
Updated on December 01, 2020
reviewed by
Jerrick Leger headshot
Jerrick Leger
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.
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Article reviewed on Feb 02, 2021
Jerrick Leger

What to Know

  • Plug the PS4 controller into your PlayStation 5 to pair it.
  • You can play all PS4 games with the PS4 or PS5 controller. 
  • You can't play PS5 games on the console with a PS4 controller.

This article teaches you how to connect a PlayStation 4 controller to a PlayStation 5 console. It also explains any limitations or restrictions that come from doing so.

How to Connect a PlayStation 4 Controller to a PS5

Wondering will PS4 controllers work on PS5? You're in luck. It's very simple to connect a PlayStation 4 controller to a PS5 providing you follow these key steps on what to do.

  1. Get your PlayStation 4 controller and connect it to the PS5 console with the included charging cable.

  2. Press the PS button on the middle of your Playstation 4 controller to turn the controller on.

  3. Choose a user to associate the controller with on the console.

  4. The controller is now connected to your PlayStation 5 console.

    Tip:

    You can unplug the controller from the charging cable and it will still work with the console.

What Can I Do With a PS4 Controller on a PlayStation 5?

The key reason to use a PS4 controller on a PlayStation 5 is so that you can easily play PS4 games. You can already do this with a PS5 DualSense controller but if you're looking to play PS4 multiplayer games and you only have one PS5 controller, this is a good way of allowing more than one of you to play a game. If you simply prefer the feel of the PlayStation 4 controller, it can be useful too.

You can also use a PS4 controller to navigate the menus of the PlayStation 5 dashboard with the experience being mostly identical to using a PlayStation 5 controller. 

Note:

This applies to both official DualShock 4 controllers and any third-party PlayStation 4 devices you might own.

What Can't I Do With a PS4 Controller on a Playstation 5?

You can't play PlayStation 5 games with a PlayStation 4 controller. If you try to, a warning message appears when you load a game stating that 'PS5 games can't be played using the DUALSHOCK 4'.

It is possible to play PS5 games with a PlayStation 4 controller if you do so via the PS Remote Play app on your smartphone, tablet, or PC/Mac, but it's simply not possible on the console.

Can You Use a Playstation 5 Controller With the Playstation 4?

Simply put, no. The console won't recognize a PlayStation 5 controller, even if you plug it in via the charging cable first. However, it is possible to use the PS Remote Play app to play a Playstation 4 game remotely and use a PlayStation 5 controller connected to your PC/Mac, smartphone, or tablet. 

There's not really anything to gain from this method but if you've only got one controller and you simply have to use your PlayStation 4 console in some form, this is an option. 

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