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Usually, no: one standard PS Remote Play session on a phone, tablet, PC, Mac, Android TV device, or PlayStation Portal is not documented by Sony as supporting two independent controllers. There are exceptions: PS5-to-PS5 Remote Play lets additional players join, and a second controller connected directly to the host console may work in some local multiplayer games. Sony’s PS5 Assist Controller feature also uses two controllers—but both control one player.
What “two controllers” can mean
| Setup | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Two controllers paired to one phone, tablet, PC, Mac, Android TV device, or Portal | Not a generally documented feature of the standard Remote Play setup. |
| One controller on the Remote Play device and another connected directly to the host console | A possible, game- and setup-dependent workaround for local multiplayer—not a guaranteed Remote Play feature. |
| Players joining through a PS5 Remote Play client | Supported by Sony’s documented PS5-to-PS5 procedure; up to three additional players can join. |
| Two controllers operating as one | Supported on PS5 with Assist Controller, but this is not two-player multiplayer. |
The distinction matters because a PS5 or PS4 can use multiple controllers locally, but that does not mean one Remote Play client can send two independent players’ inputs. Sony lists DualSense, DualSense Edge, and DUALSHOCK 4 controllers for Remote Play, but its standard setup instructions do not describe pairing two independent controllers to one client session. See Sony’s Remote Play overview and its PC and Mac setup guide.
Can two people play on one phone, computer, or Portal?
Do not count on pairing a second Bluetooth controller to the same phone or computer and getting a second player in the game. Sony does not document that as a general feature of the PS Remote Play app. The same applies to PlayStation Portal: its built-in controls provide one Remote Play control surface; Sony does not document Portal as a hub for two independent controllers. A second phone or tablet is not a reliable substitute either; simultaneous independent mobile Remote Play sessions controlling one host console are not the standard documented route.
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Remote Play streams a game; it does not add multiplayer modes. For couch co-op, the game must support local multiplayer. If it supports only online multiplayer, a second local controller will not make it a local co-op game.
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- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
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Workaround: connect the second controller to the host console
If both people are in the same room as the PS5 or PS4, one possible setup is to control Player 1 through Remote Play and connect Player 2’s controller directly to the host console. This relies on the console’s usual local controller and user behavior; Sony does not present it as a universal Remote Play feature, so results can vary by game, account setup, console, and client device.
- Create or confirm a second user profile on the host console.
- Start Remote Play using the primary account and connect the first controller to the Remote Play device.
- Launch a game that supports local multiplayer.
- Pair the second controller directly to the host console, not to the phone, computer, or other Remote Play device.
- Press the PS button on the second controller and sign in with a different profile or a guest account, then join as Player 2 in the game.
If Remote Play disconnects or the second player cannot join, check that the second controller is not signing into the account already being used for Remote Play. Try restarting the game after both users are signed in, and verify that the second controller is paired to the console. Test a different local multiplayer game to rule out a title-specific limitation. This setup is not guaranteed to work with every game or client.
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- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Supported multiplayer route: Remote Play from one PS5 to another
Sony documents a multiplayer option when the client device is another PS5. Start Remote Play on the client PS5 using the same PlayStation account as the host for the initial connection. After connecting, additional players sign in on the client PS5 and press the Options button on their controllers to join. Sony says up to three additional players can join the multiplayer game. The person who started Remote Play controls the session: if that player quits, the session ends for everyone who joined. Microphone use is unavailable during multiplayer games in this mode. The game must still support the relevant multiplayer mode. See Sony’s PS5-to-PS5 Remote Play instructions.
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Sony describes a specific PS4 multiplayer arrangement: one player uses an Xperia device for Remote Play, while another uses a device connected directly to the PS4, such as a DUALSHOCK 4. Sony limits this arrangement to one Xperia device and one directly connected DUALSHOCK 4 at a time, and both PSN IDs must be registered on the PS4. This is a specific Xperia setup, not evidence that two phones or two standard Remote Play clients can connect to one PS4. Details are in Sony’s PS4 Remote Play multiplayer support article.
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- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Assist Controller: two controllers, one player
On PS5, Assist Controller lets two controllers operate the same account as one combined input. It can help someone navigate a game or share control of a character, but it does not assign one controller to Player 1 and the other to Player 2.
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility, then Controllers.
- Choose Use Second Controller for Assistance.
- Turn on Use Assist Controller.
Sony introduced the feature as an accessibility option; see the PS5 accessibility update announcement.
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Controller, device, and network checks
- Controller types: Sony lists DualSense, DualSense Edge, and DUALSHOCK 4 for Remote Play, with compatibility varying by device. A DUALSHOCK 4 is relevant to PS4 and compatible PS4 titles, but is not a general replacement for DualSense features in PS5 games.
- PC and Mac: Sony’s current setup instructions call for connecting the controller to the computer with a USB cable. Follow the PC/Mac guide.
- Mobile OS versions: Sony lists DUALSHOCK 4 support from iOS 14 and DualSense support from iOS 14.5; on Android, DUALSHOCK 4 support starts at Android 10 and DualSense at Android 12. Compatible Android TV devices are listed as requiring Android TV OS 12 or later. Check Sony’s compatibility details for your device.
- Update and sign-in: Update the console system software and Remote Play app. For Sony’s Xperia PS4 arrangement, both PSN IDs must be registered on the console.
- Game and peripherals: Some games require VR hardware or other peripherals that Remote Play does not support. Controller features such as haptics, adaptive triggers, motion sensing, audio, or microphone functions may also vary by client device.
- Connection quality: Sony lists 5 Mbps as the minimum broadband speed and recommends at least 15 Mbps for a better experience. A wired connection for the host console can help stability, but bandwidth does not make a second controller compatible.
For PC or Mac, Sony’s standard sequence is to enable Remote Play on the console, connect a controller to the computer by USB, launch PS Remote Play, sign in with the same PlayStation account used on the console, choose PS5 or PS4, and start the game. On PS5, the setting is Settings > System > Remote Play > Enable Remote Play; on PS4, it is Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Enable Remote Play.
Which setup should you choose?
- One person playing away from the TV: Use a phone, tablet, PC, Mac, compatible Android TV device, or Portal with one controller.
- Two people in the same room: The most dependable option is to connect both controllers directly to the console and play on a nearby display. The Remote Play-plus-host-controller workaround may work, but is less predictable.
- Two people needing independent controls through Remote Play: The documented route is a PS5 client connecting to a PS5 host, with additional players joining on the client.
- Two controllers for accessibility or shared control: Use PS5 Assist Controller; both inputs act as one player.
- Two people at different locations: Use the game’s online multiplayer if it supports it. Remote Play itself does not create a second independent phone or Portal connection.
Buying another controller can be useful for ordinary local multiplayer, but it does not turn one standard Remote Play client into a guaranteed two-controller hub. A Portal or mobile controller accessory is for one-player remote control, not a documented multi-controller solution.
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