Can You Use a PS5 Controller On a PS4?

Can you use a PS5 controller on a PS4? 

Unfortunately, the PS5 DualSense controller doesn’t come with backward compatibility.

But, if you bought a PS5 controller before getting your hands on the latest Sony console, there is a workaround.

Here’s how to play on PS4 with a DualSense controller.

How To Connect a PS5 Controller To PS4

Although the PS5 has almost 100% backward compatibility with PS4 titles, Sony made it clear that the PS5 controller will not work on PS4 consoles long before the product was launched.

The PS5 controller shares a lot of the PS4 features, including motion support and a built-in speaker, but Sony designed it specifically for the PS5 console, with some perks that are unique to PS5 games.

For that reason, Sony’s latest wireless controller is not compatible with PS4 consoles. Needless to say, this didn’t sit well with fans of the most popular console in the world.

Luckily, there is a way to use your PS5 controller to play games on PS4 with the help of a middleman.

One way to do that is to connect your controller to your PC and stream your games from your PS4 to your computer. Here is how to do that:

1. Download the PS Remote Play app on your PC. You can find the free app on Sony’s official website.
2. Turn on your PS4 and connect it to the Internet.
3. Log into your PlayStation Network account. 
4. Open the Remote Play app on your PC and sign into the same PSN account.
5. From your PC, click the PS4 icon to connect the two devices.
6. Plug your DualSense controller into your PC using a USB-C cable and link it to the Remote Play app.

You can then stream your games on your PC and play them with the PS5 controller.

Note that this method has its downsides. Frequent drops in your Internet connection or slow Wi-Fi can cause significant input delays. Sony recommends at least 15Mbps for a smooth experience.

Also, you won’t get to experience the haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features– these are exclusive to PS5 games.

How To Connect a PS5 Controller To PS4 With Bluetooth

If you’re wondering how to connect a PS5 controller to PS4 without a USB cable, here’s some good news: one of the many perks of the new DualSense controller is that it’s wireless. 

If you want to cut out the cloud-based middleman and skip the USB cable, you’ll need to add a different type of middleman to the mix. There are a number of adapters on the market, like the 8BITdo adapter and the Titan Two adapter, that can help make the connection work.

Alternatively, you can connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth and stream games from your PS4 with Remote Play. You can also connect your PS5 controller to your PC without a cable if your computer supports Bluetooth connections.

Does a PS5 Charger Work On A PS4 Controller?

Since Sony went to great lengths to make sure the PS5 controller doesn’t work on PS4, it only makes sense that you can’t charge it on a PS4 console, unless you get yourself an adapter.

If you don’t have one, you can charge your PS5 controller in two ways: with a USB-C cable plugged into a PS5 console or on the PS5 charging dock.

Bottom Line

Although the PS5 DualSense controller is not compatible with PS4 consoles, you can still play on your PS4 with it, but you’ll need a middleman.

The best way to play on your PS4 console with the DualSense controller is to connect it to your PC and stream the game from your PS4 onto the computer with the Remote Play app.