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How to Pair a DualSense Controller with a PS5, PC, or Phone

Connect a DualSense to a PS5 by USB and the PS button, or pair it with a supported PC or phone using Bluetooth. See reconnection and troubleshooting steps.
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To pair a DualSense with a PS5 for the first time, connect it to the console with its USB cable and press the PS button. For a supported PC or phone, disconnect USB, hold Create and PS until the light bar blinks, then choose the controller in the device’s Bluetooth settings. The steps differ when reconnecting to a PS5 or switching between saved devices.

Pair a DualSense with a PS5 for the first time

  1. Turn on the PS5.
  2. Connect the controller to the console using the included USB cable.
  3. If the controller is off, press the PS button. The light bar blinks and the player indicator lights when pairing completes.
  4. Unplug the cable for wireless play if the controller has enough charge.

A DualSense must be paired again when you move it to another PS5. One PS5 supports up to four controllers at once. Sony’s DualSense connection instructions cover the console setup.

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Pair it with a PC or phone over Bluetooth

Sony lists Bluetooth and USB support for Windows 10 (64-bit) and Windows 11; macOS Big Sur 11.3; iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5; tvOS 14.5; and Android 12. These are minimum operating-system versions listed in Sony’s guide, not a guarantee that every game or app supports a controller.

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  1. Turn off the controller. If its player indicator is lit, hold PS until it goes dark.
  2. Disconnect any USB cable.
  3. Hold Create, then hold PS until the light bar blinks.
  4. Open Bluetooth settings on the PC or phone, choose the option to add or pair a device, and select the controller from the available devices.
  5. When pairing completes, the light bar blinks and the player indicator lights up.

Sony notes: “Each time you change devices, you must pair the controller with the new device.” See Sony’s Bluetooth pairing and device-support guide for the listed requirements.

#1 Best Overall
Playstation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller - White (Renewed)
  • 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.

Reconnect to a PS5 or switch between saved devices

Reconnect to a PS5

Connect the controller to the PS5 with a compatible USB cable and press PS. Remove the cable for wireless play. Sony’s current instructions use this USB-and-PS method to reconnect to a PS5.

Use one of the stored device pairings

A DualSense can store up to four device pairings in slots. To assign or select a slot, hold PS together with Triangle, Circle, Cross, or Square; each face button corresponds to a different slot. The controller’s lights indicate the selected slot. When all four slots are occupied, the least recently used pairing is replaced. These slot instructions are for switching among saved device pairings; for a PS5 reconnection, use the USB method above. Sony’s multi-device guide explains the slot controls.

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PlayStation DualSense® Wireless Controller - Midnight Black
  • 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.

Add a second controller wirelessly to a PS5

  1. With the first controller, open Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories.
  2. On the second controller, hold Create and PS until the light bar blinks.
  3. Select the second controller on the PS5 screen using the first controller.

See Sony’s DualSense controller support page for this process.

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Pairing works, but a game or controller feature does not

Pairing establishes the connection; the game or app still needs to support controller input. Support for individual DualSense features also varies by platform and game.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Playstation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller - White (Renewed)
Playstation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller - White (Renewed)
DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.; Devices with macOS 11.3, iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 or tvOS 14.5 or later supported.
$58.00
Bestseller No. 3
PlayStation DualSense Edge Wireless Controller - Midnight Black
PlayStation DualSense Edge Wireless Controller - Midnight Black
Ultra Customizable Controls; Mappable Back Buttons; DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
$199.00
Bestseller No. 5
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Gray Camouflage - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Gray Camouflage - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback; Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
$74.00
Best Value
PlayStation DualSense™ Wireless Controller – Gray Camouflage - For PS5, PC, MAC & Mobile
  • Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
  • Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
  • Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
  • Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
  • Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Rank #4
PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Midnight Black (Renewed)
  • 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 with 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.
Rank #3
PlayStation DualSense Edge Wireless Controller - Midnight Black
  • Ultra Customizable Controls
  • Mappable Back Buttons
  • DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
  • Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
  • Steam games: Check the game’s Steam store listing under Controller Support. Sony says the listing identifies Full or Partial Controller Support. See Sony’s PC gaming support guidance.
  • Haptics: On PC, haptic feedback requires a USB connection and a game that supports it. Sony says haptics are not supported on Mac or mobile devices.
  • Adaptive triggers: These are not compatible with Android-based mobile devices.
  • Microphone and speaker: The built-in microphone and speaker are available on Windows PC when supported by the game.
  • Headset jack: On PC and Mac, the headset jack requires a wired connection; it is not compatible with mobile devices.

If Bluetooth pairing fails

  1. Make sure the controller is off before starting Bluetooth pairing, and remove its USB cable.
  2. Repeat the Create-and-PS pairing sequence, holding until the light bar blinks, then select the controller in the device’s Bluetooth settings.
  3. If it still will not connect, reset the controller using Sony’s instructions. If the problem persists, contact PlayStation Repairs through Sony Support.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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