VR controllers do not share one pairing method. The button sequence, the software and the connection type depend on three things: the controller model, the headset it is meant for, and the device you are pairing to (a PS5, a Windows PC, an Apple Vision Pro, or a PC running SteamVR). Confirm all three before you follow any steps below, because a procedure written for one combination can fail or mislead on another.
Identify your setup first
Match your controller and host to the row below, then follow only that section. The steps below are taken from the manufacturers’ own setup pages and developer documentation available for this guide.
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| Controller | Host device | Pairing method | Each controller paired separately? | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS VR2 Sense | PS5 | Included USB cable for first-time pairing, then the PS button | Yes. Left and right are paired one after the other | Sony PS5 support page |
| PS VR2 Sense | Windows PC | Bluetooth, using PS plus Create (left) or PS plus Options (right) | Yes, one at a time | Sony PC setup page |
| PS VR2 Sense | Apple Vision Pro | Bluetooth, selected in Settings > Bluetooth | Yes, each side has its own button combination | Apple Vision Pro documentation |
| Rift Touch | Rift headset through the Oculus app on PC | Guided Device Setup inside the Oculus app | Left, then right, through the prompts | Meta Horizon OS Developers, updated July 30, 2024 |
| SteamVR / Vive controllers | PC running SteamVR | Devices > Pair Controller in SteamVR | Not stated in the SteamVR quick-start guide | Valve SteamVR controller quick-start guide and Steam Support |
Meta Quest controllers are not covered by the steps in this guide. The only official Meta pairing instructions available for this article are for Rift Touch, and they should not be applied to Quest models. For current Quest steps, use Meta’s official support site.
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PS VR2 Sense controllers with PS5
Sony’s PS5 support page states that first-time pairing requires both the left and right controllers. The controller is assigned to the user who is signed in on the console at the time, so sign in to the account that will use the headset first.
- Turn on the PS5 and sign in to the user account that will use the headset.
- Connect the first controller to the PS5 with the included USB cable.
- Press the PS button on that controller.
- Connect the second controller with the cable and press its PS button.
- Remove the USB cable before using the controllers.
A PS VR2 Sense controller can pair with only one PS5 at a time. To move a controller to a different console, pair it on that console using the same steps. If a controller’s battery is low after pairing, charge it (see the charging section below).
If the included cable is missing or damaged, a replacement is reasonable only after you confirm the connector matches the port on your controller. Do not use a cable of unknown fit.
PS VR2 Sense controllers with Windows PC
Pairing to a PC uses Bluetooth, not the USB cable. Do not follow the PS5 cable procedure on a PC. Sony’s PC setup page calls for these preparations first:
- Disconnect any USB cables attached to the controllers.
- Charge both controllers before you start.
- Turn on Bluetooth on the PC.
- Hold PS and Create together on the left controller until its indicator blinks.
- In the PC’s Bluetooth settings, choose to add a device.
- Select the left controller while its indicator is still blinking.
- Hold PS and Options together on the right controller until its indicator blinks.
- Add and select the right controller in the same way.
Pair the two controllers individually. If an indicator stops blinking before you select the controller, hold the same button combination again to re-enter pairing mode and select it.
Controller pairing is only one part of a PC setup. Sony’s page also requires the PlayStation VR2 App and SteamVR for SteamVR games, a PS VR2 PC adapter, and the PC connections it specifies. Connect the headset by following those instructions, not the controller steps.
PS VR2 Sense controllers with Apple Vision Pro
Apple documents the PS VR2 Sense controller as a Vision Pro accessory. Pair each controller on its own.
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- On the left controller, hold PS and Create until the bottom indicator blinks.
- On Vision Pro, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
- Select the left controller while its indicator is still blinking. If it stops, re-enter pairing mode first.
- On the right controller, hold PS and Options until the bottom indicator blinks, then select it in the same list.
Apple states that not all apps support spatial accessories, so a paired controller may not work in every app. Apple also documents Logitech Muse as a supported accessory. To pair it, put the Muse into discovery mode using its own instructions, then select it in Vision Pro’s Bluetooth settings.
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Rift Touch controllers
Meta’s developer documentation, updated July 30, 2024, describes the Rift Touch setup flow. It applies to Rift and Rift Touch only.
- Make sure the Rift headset is connected to the PC.
- Launch the Oculus app.
- Select Devices, then select the Rift.
- Choose Device Setup.
- Proceed through the information screens.
- Under Set Up Your Input Devices, select Touch.
- For the left controller, hold Menu and Y as the screen indicates.
- Repeat the prompted procedure for the right controller.
SteamVR and Vive controllers
Standard SteamVR pairing
- Launch SteamVR.
- Select Devices, then Pair Controller.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- After pairing, press the system button on the controller to turn it on.
Vive wireless receiver troubleshooting
Steam Support’s connection troubleshooting describes Vive’s built-in wireless receivers. If pairing does not start:
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- Open the SteamVR console.
- Right-click the controller icon and choose Pair controller.
If Vive controllers still do not connect, open SteamVR > Settings > USB and confirm that both wireless receivers are listed. If a receiver is unavailable, move it to a different USB port. Steam’s page also describes USB reset and controller reset procedures. Use those only after basic pairing has failed, because they are recovery steps rather than setup steps.
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Work through these branches in order, and stop at the one that matches your symptom.
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- The indicator stopped blinking: Re-enter pairing mode with the same button combination, then select the controller again while it blinks.
- Only one controller pairs: Each controller must be paired on its own. Repeat the steps for the second controller.
- The PS5 does not recognise the controller: A PS VR2 Sense controller pairs with only one PS5 at a time. Pair it to the console you are using now.
- The controller pairs but does not work in an app on Vision Pro: Check whether that app supports spatial accessories. Apple says support varies by app.
- A Vive controller does not connect: Check SteamVR > Settings > USB for both wireless receivers, and try a different USB port if one is unavailable.
- The controller is low on battery or will not stay on: Charge it before you assume a pairing fault. See the charging section below.
Charging is a separate step from pairing
Sony states that PS VR2 Sense controllers charge over USB, one at a time, and cannot be used while they are charging. A charging station is sold separately by Sony and is another way to charge them. Charging does not establish a pairing, so a fully charged controller still needs to be paired with the host.
Note that Rift and SteamVR setup pages do not describe the same charging method. Check the instructions for your own controller model.
In practice, a controller that will not pair is not necessarily a charging problem, and a controller that charges normally is not necessarily paired. Treat them as two checks.
If the matching setup page does not produce a working pairing after these steps, confirm the controller model is supported by your headset and your app, then consult the manufacturer’s current support page for that model.
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