You can use a PS5 controller on PS4 with the help of a workaround method because currently, PS4 doesn’t support a DualSense controller natively via USB cable or a direct Bluetooth connection.
You can use a PS5 controller on PS4 with the help of PS Remote Play app which works on platforms like Mac, PC, iPhone, and Android. Install the app on one of the supported devices. Then, connect the PS5 controller to the supported device via Bluetooth or USB. Launch the app and finally select PS4.
We will explain in detail how you can use a PS5 controller on the PS4 with the help of the official PS Remote Play application, which is the core part of this workaround method. We will also answer some of the common questions that you may have regarding playing with a PS5 controller on PS4.
Can you use a PS5 controller on PS4?
According to Sony’s official FAQ about PS5, “The DualSense wireless controller is not compatible with the PS4 console”. If you try to connect your DualSense controller to PS4 via a USB port or Bluetooth, the controller will not work at all. Therefore, you won’t be able to use a PS5 controller on PS4 Slim or PS4 Pro directly. But relax, there is a workaround, and that is with the help of the PS Remote Play Application.
Workaround: PS Remote Play helps to use a PS5 controller on PS4.
PS Remote Play is the official PlayStation app from Sony to stream games from your PlayStation console to other devices such as Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, PS5, and PS4 consoles. Even though the application is used to stream the live video and audio feed to your connected device, we found that we can use the app as a workaround method to use a PS5 controller on PS4.
We recommend installing the application on your smartphone such as iPhone or Android device so that it is easier for you to play on PS4 using the DualSense quickly.
We also recommend that you use a high-speed internet connection for the internet so that connectivity remains intact throughout your gameplay. You can use a LAN connection to connect the PS4 console to your router for better performance and to avoid connection drops during remote play.
First, you will need to enable the Remote Play functionality on your PS4 console by following the below steps:
- To enable remote play, go to the PS4 “Settings“ and select “Remote Play Connection Settings“, then turn on “Enable Remote Play”.
- After that, select “Account Management“, choose “Activate as Your Primary PS4“, and then select “Activate”.
- Remote Play can be used even if your PS4 console is in rest mode by going to “Power Save Settings” and selecting “Set Features Available in Rest Mode”. Enable the option “Stay Connected to the Internet” and the option “Enable Turning on PS4 from Network”.
Now that your PS4 is ready for the Remote Play connection, follow the below steps to install the PS Remote Play on your mobile device and connect a DualSense controller:
- Put the Dualsense controller in pairing mode by holding the PlayStation Button and the Create button simultaneously for a few seconds. The Dualsense controller will start blinking blue light.
- Now go to your smartphone’s settings, and find Bluetooth options.
- Select the DualSense or wireless controller from the list, it might appear in the “Other devices”
- Your PS5 controller is now paired with your smartphone.
- Now, Install the PS Remote Play app on your smartphone from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
- On your smartphone, launch the PS4 Remote Play application and select “Sign in to PSN“.
- Sign in to PlayStation Network using the same account as on your PS4 console, then select the “PS4”option in the PS remote play app.
Congratulations! you have successfully connected your PS5 controller to PS4 with the help of the PS Remote Play application. Now you can use a PS5 controller on PS4 and play all the games. You can also use PS Remote Play to use PS4 from other devices such as Windows PC, Mac, and PS5 consoles.
Can you use a PS5 controller on a PC?
You can certainly use the PS5 controller on a PC using different 3rd party applications. First, you will need to connect your DualSense controller to the PC and then map the buttons using 3rd party applications so that the DualSense controller can be used on the PC. We have curated a complete guide on how you can use a DualSense controller on a PC.
Can you connect the PS5 controller to PS4 via Bluetooth?
Although a connection can be established between the DualSense and PS4 via Bluetooth, we found that the DualSense controller was not working at all, even after a successful connection with PS4. Therefore, we recommend the method described in the above post to use a PS5 controller on PS4 via the PS Remote Play app.
Do adaptive triggers work on the PS5 controller when playing on PS4?
The PS5 controller is not officially supported on the PS4 console. We have presented a workaround method in this article, i.e. the PS Remote with which you can use a PS5 controller on PS4.
But because of the limitation that PS4 games don’t support the new DualSense features such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback itself, therefore adaptive triggers don’t work on the DualSense controller when playing on PS4.
On the other hand, adaptive trigger and haptic feedback work flawlessly on PS5 games.
