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Yes, but it depends on whether the DualSense has already been paired with your PS5. A controller previously paired with that console can usually reconnect wirelessly by pressing the PS button. You can also pair a second controller without a cable if another controller is already connected and can navigate the PS5 menus.
If this is the only controller and it has never been paired with this PS5, Sony’s documented first-time setup requires a compatible USB cable. Pairing it with a phone or computer first does not pair it with the console.
Can you connect a PS5 controller without a cable?
| Situation | Can you do it without a cable? |
|---|---|
| The controller was already paired with this PS5 | Usually. Turn on the console and press the PS button. |
| You are pairing a second controller and another is connected | Yes. Use the connected controller to select the new one in Bluetooth Accessories. |
| This is the only controller and it has never been paired with this PS5 | Not through Sony’s documented first-time setup; use a compatible USB cable. |
| You are pairing it with a compatible PC, Mac, phone, tablet, or Apple TV | Yes, through that device’s Bluetooth settings. |
| You want to charge it without plugging it into the PS5 | Use a compatible charging dock or other charging solution; pairing does not charge it. |
Sony’s DualSense support instructions require connecting a controller to the PS5 with a USB cable and pressing PS for its initial console pairing. After pairing, disconnect the cable for wireless play, provided the controller has charge.
Pair a second PS5 controller without a cable
You need one controller that is already connected to the PS5 to control the menus. Then:
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- 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.
- Turn on the PS5 and keep the working controller connected.
- On the PS5, go to Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories.
- Make sure the second DualSense is off. If its player indicator is lit, hold its PS button until the indicator goes dark.
- On the second controller, press and hold Create and PS at the same time until the light bar flashes.
- Use the working controller to select the new controller when it appears in the Bluetooth accessories list.
The flashing light bar indicates pairing mode; after a successful connection, the controller appears in the list and its player indicator lights. A PS5 supports up to four controllers at once, according to Sony’s controller support guide.
Reconnect a controller already paired with this PS5
Turn on the console and press the controller’s PS button. If it has charge and remains paired with that PS5, it should reconnect. Sony says the PS button reconnects a controller to the device it last connected to, so it may wake a PC or phone instead if that was its most recent connection. A controller paired with another PS5—or reset since its last connection—may need to be paired again.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
If your only controller has never been paired
For a first-time pairing, connect the DualSense to the PS5 with the included or another compatible USB cable, then press PS. Wait for the controller to pair; once it has enough charge, you can unplug it and play wirelessly. If you do not have a cable, borrow or obtain a compatible one, or use another controller already paired with the console to add this one wirelessly. Sony does not document a cable-free first pairing for the only controller.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutePair the DualSense with a PC, Mac, phone, or tablet
For Bluetooth pairing with another device, first turn the controller off by holding PS until the player indicator goes dark. Disconnect any USB cable, then hold Create + PS until the light bar flashes. Open the device’s Bluetooth settings and select the DualSense controller from the available devices. Pairing this way is separate from pairing with the PS5; you must reconnect to or pair with the PS5 independently.
Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
Sony lists Bluetooth support for Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11, macOS Big Sur 11.3 or later, iOS and iPadOS 14.5 or later, Android 12 or later, and tvOS 14.5 or later. Compatibility and controller features vary by operating system and game. Sony notes, for example, that PC haptic feedback may require USB; haptics are not supported over Bluetooth on Mac and mobile, adaptive triggers are not compatible with Android mobile devices, and the headset jack requires a wired connection on PC and Mac and is not compatible with mobile devices. See Sony’s Bluetooth pairing and compatibility details.
Switch between stored device pairings
Current DualSense models can store up to four device pairings. Sony’s shortcuts assign slots as follows: PS + Triangle for slot 1, PS + Circle for slot 2, PS + Cross for slot 3, and PS + Square for slot 4. To assign a device, hold its button with PS for more than five seconds until the light bar and player indicators flash. To switch to a pairing already stored in a slot, hold that slot’s button and PS for about three seconds. The pairing must already be saved in that slot; if all four slots are occupied, Sony says the least recently used slot is replaced when another pairing is added.
Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- 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.
Troubleshoot wireless pairing
- Check pairing mode. The player indicator should be off. Hold Create and PS together until the light bar flashes; holding PS alone reconnects rather than starting Bluetooth pairing.
- Check whether the PS5 needs another controller. If this is the first time this controller is being paired and there is no other connected controller to navigate the menu, use a USB cable for the initial setup.
- Check charge and try again. A nearly depleted controller may not enter pairing mode reliably. Charge it, then retry.
- Restart the console and repeat the pairing steps. If you are pairing a second controller, leave the first one connected so you can select the new controller on screen.
- Reset the DualSense if it still will not connect. Turn off the PS5 and disconnect the controller from USB. Use a pin to press the small reset button in the hole next to the Sony logo on the back for at least five seconds. Then retry pairing. Sony’s reset recovery instructions return to USB connection and pressing PS, so resetting alone does not make a never-paired controller connect to the PS5 wirelessly. See Sony’s reset instructions.
- Update software if you can use the PS5 with another controller. Check for console updates and controller software at Settings > Accessories > Controller (General) > DualSense Wireless Controller Device Software.
If the controller still cannot pair after reset and the appropriate USB or Bluetooth steps, consult PlayStation’s DualSense support for repair options.
Do you need to buy anything?
Usually not: a previously paired controller reconnects wirelessly, and another paired controller lets you add a second one without a cable. If the only controller is new to the PS5, a compatible USB cable is the practical solution for initial pairing; one you already own may work. A charging dock can charge controllers without plugging them directly into the console, but it does not pair a controller or bypass first-time setup. Sony’s DualSense Charging Station charges up to two DualSense or DualSense Edge controllers.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
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