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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For PS5-format games on a PS5, use a DualSense wireless controller. A DUALSHOCK 4 works on a PS4 and with supported PS4-format games on a PS5, but it cannot play PS5-format games. Third-party controllers are model- and game-dependent, so check compatibility before buying.
Start with the console and the game’s format
Controller compatibility depends on both where you connect it and whether you are playing a PS4- or PS5-format game. A PS4 game running on a PS5 remains a PS4-format game for this purpose; it does not become a PS5-format game simply because the console is newer.
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- PS5-format game on PS5: PlayStation says PS5 games can only be played with DualSense wireless controllers. PlayStation’s PS5 backward-compatibility guidance.
- PS4-format game on PS5: DualSense, DUALSHOCK 4, and some officially licensed or third-party controllers can work, but support varies by game and controller.
- Game on a PS4 console: PlayStation’s PS4 pairing guidance describes connecting a DUALSHOCK 4. The sources cited here do not establish DualSense compatibility with the PS4 console.
PlayStation describes the PS4 library as containing more than 4,000 games playable on PS5, but that figure is not a count of games compatible with every controller. Some games or functions may behave differently on PS5.
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| Controller | PS4 console | PS4-format game on PS5 | PS5-format game on PS5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DualSense wireless controller | Compatibility not established by the sources cited here | Works with supported games | Yes; PlayStation identifies DualSense as the controller for PS5 games |
| DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller | Yes | Works with supported games | No |
| Officially licensed third-party standard gamepad | Model-dependent; check the manufacturer | May work with supported games | Not supported as a standard controller for PS5 games under PlayStation’s stated rule |
| Licensed specialty peripheral, such as a racing wheel or arcade stick | Model- and game-dependent | Model- and game-dependent | May work when the game and device support it |
| Earlier-generation PlayStation controller, including DUALSHOCK 3 | Not established here as generally compatible | No general PS5 support | No general PS5 support |
PlayStation cautions that not all officially licensed or third-party controllers work on PS5. Licensing alone is not proof that a particular controller supports a particular game. See PlayStation’s compatibility guidance and check the device maker’s support information.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
What to use in common situations
You want to play a PS5-format game
Use a DualSense wireless controller. PlayStation’s published rule is that PS5 games can only be played with DualSense wireless controllers; do not assume a DUALSHOCK 4 or a standard third-party gamepad will work for PS5-format software.
You want to use a PS4 controller on PS5
A DUALSHOCK 4 can play supported PS4-format games on PS5. It cannot control PS5-format games. PlayStation also identifies DUALSHOCK 4 use for designated PS VR games on PS5, so check the support information for the specific game and setup.
Rank #2
- 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.
You want to use a specialty controller
For a racing wheel, arcade stick, flight stick, or other specialized device, verify the exact model against both the game and console. Sony treats specialty peripherals separately from ordinary gamepads, and compatibility can depend on the title as well as the hardware.
Pair a DUALSHOCK 4 with a console
- Turn on the console.
- Connect the DUALSHOCK 4 to the console with a USB cable.
- Press the controller’s PS button to pair it.
- After the controller has sufficient charge, disconnect the cable to use it wirelessly.
PlayStation says a DUALSHOCK 4 pairs with one console at a time and that up to four controllers can be connected to a console. Follow the current PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 pairing instructions if the steps do not work.
Rank #3
- 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.
Check before buying a third-party controller
- Confirm the controller’s exact model number and the console it supports.
- Check whether support covers the specific game and its PS4 or PS5 version.
- Distinguish a standard gamepad from a specialty peripheral; their compatibility rules can differ.
- Use the manufacturer’s current compatibility list. PlayStation’s own PS5 compatibility page also advises checking with manufacturers for products and specific titles.
PlayStation’s current support guidance states that not all officially licensed or third-party controllers may work on PS5. Isabelle Tomatis, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s vice president of global marketing, also stated in a PlayStation FAQ dated August 3, 2020, that DualSense is not compatible with the PS4 console: the DualSense wireless controller FAQ.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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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