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Can you use a PS5 controller on a PS4?

Does a PS5 controller work on a PS4 console? Well, the DualSense is not compatible with the PS4, however, there is a workaround

Updated: Apr 21, 2022 2:36 pm
Can you use a PS5 controller on a PS4?

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Many wonder if you can use a PS5 controller on a PS4 but sadly the PS5 controller is not compatible. The PS5 controller is one of the most popular gamepads of all time and has received further upgrades recently, improving the haptic triggers longevity. You can use a PS4 controller on PS5 Digital and Disc editions when playing PS4 games but ultimately that is it in terms of compatibility. Not all is lost, there is a workaround for those that own a PC and have the patience but the results may not be worth it.

Why aren’t PS5 controllers compatible with PS4 consoles?

The tech upgrades in the latest controllers have meant Sony could never make them truly compatible, or maybe didn’t really want to. In any case, Sony stated the controllers are not compatible in their FAQs, and getting the DualSense controller working on the PS4 is a tedious task and really not worth your time unless you have no other option.

How to connect PS5 controller to PS4: the workaround

Before starting, you are going to need to download the PlayStation Remote Play app onto your PC. 

  1. Follow the prompts on your PC and use the PS Remote Play app to connect to your PS4.

2. Now connect your PS5 controller to the PC with a USB cable and then link it to the app.

Once done, you should now be able to use your DualSense PS5 controller on your PS4 console.

The reason some may not like the workaround here is that firstly, you will need a high-speed internet connection to keep the latency between PC and PS4 as low as possible. A more obvious caveat is that you cannot use the latest features in the DualSense pad. The adaptive feedback and haptic triggers will just work like a regular old PS4 controller but at least you can play those games.


Shaun, with a computer science degree and 15 years of computer experience, has been passionate about competitive FPS gaming since the mid-2000s.

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