The DualSense is a revolutionary controller. Sony has put a lot of work into this controller so that players can experience new sensations thanks to haptic feedback. Because of this, Sony has positioned itself with a much more compelling controller than the Xbox Series X controller, which, despite being a very ergonomic device, features a more conservative design. As is usually the case, PlayStation 5 buyers are users who have been playing on Sony consoles for years. And many have wondered if it's possible to connect the PS5 controller to their old PlayStation 4.
Officially, the PlayStation 5 controller is not compatible with the PS4 . Sony's decision is understandable, as they want to offer the controller's new features exclusively to their new console. However, it is possible to connect the PS5 controller to your PlayStation 4. In this post, we'll explain all the available methods and how to do it.
Is the PS5 controller really compatible on PS4?
Officially, the PlayStation 4 does not support the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller. Many users tried to connect the new controller to their PS4 as soon as they took their new console out of the box. It was a complete failure. It wasn't possible, neither by connecting the USB-C cable directly nor by using Bluetooth. Official compatibility is not available from Sony. And it doesn't look like this decision by the Japanese company will change anytime soon.
Why is this? The most reasonable explanation is that they wanted to avoid complications and confuse users . The PS5 controller has quite specific functions. The last thing Sony needs is to confuse users while they're playing. Although, basic support from the company would have been great. After all, the controllers aren't that different, and there isn't that much difference between the two consoles.
Can a Dualshock 4 be used on a PS5?
And what about the reverse? What if we have a good collection of fully customized, limited-edition, and multi-colored DualShock 4 controllers? Will I be able to use my old controllers on the brand-new PS5? The answer is a bit ambiguous, as it has a yes and many caveats. Yes, the PS4 controller can be connected to a PS5 without problems, but forget about playing God of War: Ragnarok with it.
The Dualshock 4 will not be compatible with the games and version of PS5, since these make use of the exclusive functions of DualSense, such as progressive triggers and haptic vibration. The only way to use the PS4 controller on PS5 is by playing PS4 games on the console, as this will create a level playing field between the game and the controller hardware.
These limitations are a stick for those users who shout to the four winds in defense of backward compatibility. And it is that yes, Sony has not put problems for you to use your controller in the new console, but the real utility is far from the definition of backward compatibility that many could have in their heads.
The reality is that, but you also have to look at the generational evolution, and that is that we cannot applaud all those improvements of the DualSense and say how wonderful they are and then want to use a DualShock 4 with worn sticks. Don't you think?
How to play on PS4 with a PS5 controller
Yes, you read that right. Official compatibility doesn't exist, but it can be done . And don't worry, you don't need to make any unusual modifications to your console. In fact, there are several methods, so you can choose the one that suits you best. All of these methods work with PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro without any issues. We'll start with the free methods and finish the post by detailing the different dongles or connection devices you can buy to connect your DualSense to the PS4. Let's get started:
Using PS Remote Play
PS Remote Play is a program that lets you control both your PS4 and PS5 using a Windows PC, Mac, smartphone, or even a PS Vita. It's not the most convenient method, since you'll have to connect the DualSense controller to one of these devices, which will act as a bridge to your PS4 . But hey, if you're going to cheat, it's a method that can come in handy if a friend comes over and you want to play a quick game of FIFA on PS4.
The steps to follow are the following:
- Download application PS Remote trust your PC or Mac. So far there is no easy way to connect the remote to the mobile, so we will use one of these two devices.
- Install the application.
- Follow the steps using your account to connect to your PlayStation 4 console.
- Using a USB cable, connect the DualSense controller from PlayStation 5 to the app PS RemotePlay.
- Once connected, you will have been able to bypass the blocking that your PS4 does to the DualSense and you can play without problems. Of course, the computer will have to be on and with the remote connected at all times.
On the downside, depending on your home internet connection, this method might be a little disappointing, as there could be a slight delay between pressing the buttons on your controller and the action appearing on the screen. But hey, it's a free solution that's good to know in case it comes in handy sometime. This isn't the most effective method for some games, especially if you enjoy action games or those that require skill or reflexes. However, the next method works perfectly well for both those games and online games.
Using an adapter
On the other hand, what not many people know is that there are specific devices that allow you to connect all kinds of controllers to your console. There are several different models. They work like a dongle, usually through the console's USB port. The device is in charge of receiving the signal from a non-compatible controller and translating the instructions so that the console believes that we are using an original controller. These are the best devices we have at the moment:
Titan Two
One of the best adapters on the market is the Titan Two. The device isn't exactly cheap, but it allows you to connect your PlayStation 5 controller to your PS4 both wired and wirelessly.
- connect the adapter Titan Two to your console PlayStation 4 via USB.
- Use the cable of your DualSense to connect the command to Titan Two.
- Now you can use the wired controller without problems.
- (Optional) If you want play wirelessly, once you have done steps 1-3, remove the usb cable of the DualSense. Press PS button and you can now use the PS5 controller on your console without cables.
This other method offers complete compatibility without any lag or complications. It's quite expensive, but you might be able to recoup the cost in the long run, as it's compatible with virtually every console we know of. Not only can you play with your DualSense on PS4, but you can also use it to play on the Switch with either this controller or an Xbox controller, for example.
It also has another advantage : it allows you to connect a mouse and keyboard to your PlayStation . This way, you can cheat a little in some games where a controller is a disadvantage compared to a keyboard. However, using this gadget for malicious purposes is entirely up to you; we didn't intend to give you any ideas. You should also be aware that you could be banned from some games if you start using this in an... illegal way.
Magic-S Pro
This other dongle also allows you to connect the DualSense to the PlayStation 4 without any problems . This device is very interesting because the manufacturer constantly updates the firmware. In fact, this gadget was already on sale when the DualSense was released, achieving the much-desired backward compatibility during the first few months after the PlayStation 5 launch, thanks to a firmware update that the dongle 's creators uploaded to their website.
This device also allows you to connect your PS5 controller to other consoles like the Nintendo Switch. It costs around €30 and connects to the console wirelessly , so you won't have to worry about cables. One of the advantages of this model over other alternatives is that Mayflash maintains its update schedule over time . Therefore, if Sony were to discontinue compatibility with these models, the company could potentially circumvent the limitation by updating the device's firmware.
See offer on AmazonMagic NS 2
It is an alternate version of the original Magic. It continues to maintain compatibility between the DualSense and the PlayStation 4 console, although it offers new compatibility with old consoles. The dongle costs around 30 euros and can be a good investment if you are really going to use the PS5 controller on your previous generation console.
See offer on AmazonCoov DS50
This is a fairly affordable alternative to connecting the DualSense to the PS4 that has also been around for a short time. This model is multiplatform, so it can also be used on consoles like the Nintendo Switch. On the PlayStation 4, this model can be used directly through the USB port, while on other consoles you will have to use the USB OTG adapter that comes in the pack. The Coov DS50 is a very useful device, compatible with all PS4s that retains all the functionality of the PlayStation controller – although, obviously, we will not be able to use native DualSense features on the PlayStation 4. If the price of Magic dongles seems expensive to you, this alternative is not bad either. However, the community behind the other device is a very interesting reason to decline the Magic, since they will almost certainly have updates and compatibility with new consoles for many years.
By the way, you can find the Coov DS50 under a lot of brands like AKNES, Uniquelove, Triamisus, GoolRC or Haowen among many other names. They are usually the same device, so you can go for the cheapest one.
See offer on AmazonPS3 case: DualSense is supported
If the incompatibility of the PS5 controller with the PlayStation 4 seemed absurd and out of place to you, you should know that the PlayStation 3 offers no resistance to the DualSense controller.
There's no official support from Sony either, but the controller can even be connected wirelessly . This was discovered by some of the first users who got their hands on Sony's latest console.
Why can the Dualsense connect to PS3 and not PS4?
Apparently, the reason is that the PS3 supports generic controllers via Bluetooth. Therefore, the console detects the DualSense as just another aftermarket controller . In fact, you can try quite a few modern controllers on the old PlayStation 3 and you'll see that most are natively supported.
The PlayStation 4 , on the other hand, doesn't directly block the connection with the DualSense; rather, Sony decided at the time to eliminate support for generic controllers . Since then, only a few controllers are licensed by Sony and allow seamless connection to the PlayStation 4. This explains why even their own controller can't connect to the console, as they haven't continued to update the list of compatible controllers for their older console (which is understandable, of course).
Is it worth paying to reuse the DualSense on PS4?
As you've probably noticed, the options exist, but they end up being quite a headache, not to mention the financial outlay involved in the more direct and reliable solutions. In the end, it's more practical to look in the secondhand market and get a DualShock 4 in good condition than to find a solution for connecting the PS5 controller to the PS4 . If you're in a hurry and need a second controller for your PS4, the Remote Play option could save the day, but it's obviously not the most convenient. So there you have it:
See offer on AmazonOther ways to use the DualSense
We have already explained all the tricks to make your DualSense work on your old PlayStation 4. If you want to know how you can connect this controller to a different system, here are some extra tricks to use your device:
- Android: You can pair your controller natively. In this way, you can seamlessly play mobile titles with your controller wirelessly. Sony recommends using a mobile with Android 12, but you can connect the controller via Bluetooth even if your smartphone is not yet on that version. To use it on your mobile, we recommend that you use some type of support that allows both the phone and the remote to be attached.
- iOS: If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you can also use the DualSense to play. The same is true if you have an Apple TV at home. You will need to have at least iOS 14.5. Then, you can simply connect the controller via Bluetooth without much problem.
- Nintendo Switch: Believe it or not, you can also use the DualSense to play on the Switch. The support is not native, but there are several ways to activate it. The easiest and most accessible way is using the 8BitDo dongle. It connects to the console dock and allows you to connect and play with the DualSense —as well as with other controls. The other method is through software, only on modified consoles, so it is not such an accessible method.
- Chromecast with Google TV: You can use the PS5 controller both to play games you download from the Google Play Store on your TV, and to access Stadia or GeForce Now without leaving the sofa. As we said, the PS5 controller is quite versatile, so you will be able to use it in a multitude of systems without having to buy more specific controllers.
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