How to Use a PS4 Controller on Xbox Series X or S

This article explains how to use a PS4 controller on the Xbox Series X or S to play games using Xbox cloud gaming and Game Pass on your phone or PC.

Can You Use a PS4 Controller on Xbox Series X or S?

Despite some confusion on the matter, you can’t actually use a PS4 controller on your Xbox Series X or S. While PS4 controllers use Bluetooth just like Xbox controllers, your Xbox, regardless of generation, just isn’t set up to work with a PS4 controller. You can use a PS4 controller on a PS5, but only to play your old PS4 games.

If you want to play next-gen games with a PS4 controller, your best bet is cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming on your phone, or Game Pass Ultimate on your PC.

How to Play Xbox Series X/S Games With a PS4 Controller

The easiest way to play Xbox Series X/S games with a PS4 controller is game streaming with Xbox Game Pass. This requires a PS4 controller, a subscription to Game Pass, and a compatible phone. You will pair your controller to the phone, stream Xbox Series X/S games to the phone, and play them using the PS4 controller. 

Here’s how to play Xbox Series X/S games on your Android phone with a PS4 controller:

1. On your PS4 controller, press and hold the PS button (in between the analog sticks) and the Share button simultaneously until the light bar starts blinking.

2. Enable Bluetooth on your phone if you haven’t already.

3. Navigate to Settings > Connected Devices on your phone.

4. Tap Pair new device.

   

5. Select Wireless Controller from the list, and tap Pair.

   

6. Install the Xbox Game Pass app if you haven’t done so already, and log in.

7. Open the Xbox Game Pass app.

8. Tap CLOUD to see only cloud games.

9. Tap the game you want to play.

10. Tap PLAY.

    

11. Start playing your Xbox Series X/S game with your PS4 controller.

    

    Get a DualShock 4 phone clip and mount your phone to your controller for the best experience.

How to Play Xbox Series X/S Games With a PS4 Controller on PC

The vast majority of games that are available through the Game Pass Ultimate subscription are for Xbox One, but the same exact service also has Xbox Series X/S games and will move away from Xbox One titles with time. To play Xbox Series X/S games on your PC with a PS4 controller, all you have to do is set up your PS4 controller with your PC, download the game you want to play, and play it.

Here’s how to play Xbox Series X/S games on your PC with a PS4 controller:

1. Set up your PS4 controller to work with your PC.

2. Download and install the Xbox app on your PC if you haven’t done so already.

   You can get the Xbox app straight from Microsoft.

3. Launch the Xbox app.

   

4. Click the game you want to play.

   

   Both Xbox One and Xbox Series S/X games are available. Microsoft makes all of its first party titles available on PC, and select third party titles as well.

5. Click Install.

   

6. When the game is done installing, click Play.