Controller tester / Connection guides
Can you use a PS5 controller on a PS4?
No. A PS4 doesn't recognize the DualSense: it charges it but won't use it to play, over a cable or Bluetooth. Two workarounds do work: stream the PS4 to a PC or phone with PS Remote Play, or plug a Bluetooth adapter into the PS4.
Which controller works on which console
| Setup | Works? | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 controller plugged into or paired with a PS4 | No | The PS4 charges it and ignores the buttons. Sony says the DualSense is not compatible with the PS4 console. |
| PS5 controller + PS Remote Play (PS4 streamed to a PC, Mac or phone) | Yes, official | Full PS4 games with the DualSense connected to the PC or phone. Needs a decent home network; adds a little delay. |
| PS5 controller + Bluetooth adapter in the PS4's USB port | Yes, third party | Buttons and sticks work. Touchpad and vibration depend on the adapter; adaptive triggers and haptics don't. |
| PS4 controller on a PS5 | PS4 games only | Works for PS4 games played on the PS5, not for PS5 games. |
Plugging it in only charges it
Connect a DualSense to a PS4 with a USB-C cable and the controller charges, but the PS4 doesn't treat it as a controller: the PS button and sticks do nothing. Pairing it over Bluetooth doesn't work either. No system update has changed this, and Sony has never said it will.
The DualSense Edge behaves the same way.
Workaround 1: play your PS4 through PS Remote Play
Remote Play streams your PS4 to another screen, and the free PS Remote Play app accepts a DualSense. It's Sony's own method, so nothing extra to buy.
On the PS4, go to Settings › Remote Play Connection Settings and turn on Enable Remote Play, then Settings › Account Management › Activate as Your Primary PS4 › Activate.
Install PS Remote Play on a Windows 10 or 11 PC, a Mac, an iPhone or iPad (iOS 16 or later) or an Android phone (Android 12 or later for the DualSense). Connect the DualSense to that device: with a USB cable on a PC, or over Bluetooth on a phone. Sign in with the same PlayStation account as the PS4 and choose PS4.
Sony suggests at least 5 Mbps up and down, and 15 Mbps for a smooth picture; a wired connection for the PS4 helps most. Fast shooters feel the extra delay; slower games are fine.
Workaround 2: a Bluetooth adapter in the PS4
A small USB dongle pairs with the DualSense and presents it to the PS4 as a controller the PS4 understands. Two that list both the PS4 and the DualSense are the Mayflash Magic-S Pro 2 (about $30) and the Brook Wingman XE 2 (about $45).
Update the adapter's firmware on a PC first, using the maker's download page; touchpad and vibration support for the DualSense came in later firmware. Then plug it into the PS4, put the DualSense in pairing mode by holding Create + PS until the light flashes, and follow the adapter's pairing steps (usually a button on the dongle).
Expect buttons, sticks and triggers to work. Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback won't, because the PS4 has no idea they exist. Each adapter takes one controller.
Or play with a PS4 controller
The cheapest fix is a DualShock 4, which pairs with the PS4 over a micro-USB cable. If yours has started to drift, check how far with the stick drift test before replacing it; the drift fixes work for the DualShock 4 too.
The other way round: a PS4 controller on a PS5
A DualShock 4 works on a PS5 for PS4 games: connect it with a micro-USB cable and press PS. The PS5 won't let you use it in PS5 games, which expect the DualSense.
Check the DualSense works before you buy anything
If you're about to buy an adapter for an older DualSense, make sure every button and stick still works first. Plug it into a computer and open the PS5 controller tester; it shows each input live, battery and drift included.
Questions
Will a PS4 update ever add PS5 controller support?
Unlikely. Sony said at the PS5 launch that the DualSense is not compatible with the PS4 console, and no update since has changed that.
Can I charge a PS5 controller with my PS4?
Yes. Any powered USB port charges it, including the PS4's. The PS4 just won't use it as a controller.
Does the DualSense Edge work on a PS4?
No, not directly. Some adapters, such as the Mayflash Magic-S Pro 2, list the DualSense Edge as supported.
Do adaptive triggers and haptics work with Remote Play?
Only partly. Haptic feedback works on a PC over a USB cable when the game supports it; on a phone the controller may vibrate differently than on the console. PS4 games weren't made for adaptive triggers.
Last checked 2026-11-03. Menu names can change between system updates.