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
Share this article...
WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
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.
Black Friday is back, and with it comes huge savings on some of the market’s most popular gaming and tech products. We’ll be covering all the best deals in more details over in our deals hub, but if you haven’t got time to read through those, why not see our top picks below.
-
ASUS TUF NVIDIA RTX 5080
Was $1599
Now $1199
-
ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti
Was $999
Now $849
-
Samsung Odyssey OLED G6
Was $899
Now $649
-
TCL 43S250R Roku TV 2023
Was $279
Now $199
-
iBUYPOWER Y40 Gaming PC
Was $2,299
Now $1,819
-
Samsung Odyssey G9 (G95C)
Was $1,299
Now $777
-
Alienware Area-51 gaming laptop
Was $3,499
Now $2,799
-
Samsung 77-inch OLED S95F
Was $4,297
Now $3,497
-
ASUS ROG Strix G16
Was $1,499
Now $1,199
*Prices and savings subject to change. Click through to get the current prices.
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.
- 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.
