How to Connect PS5 DualSense & DualShock Controllers to Android Phone, iOS, & PC

The glossy feel of a PS5 controller is something unique—the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. I mean, who wouldn't want to use it even when gaming with other devices?

PlayStation has designed this controller in a different way than the preceding controllers, especially the DualSense controller, that comes compatible with most Android, iOS, and even PC.

In today's guide, I will show you how you can connect your PS5 controller to your Android Phone, iOS device (iPhone and iPad), and also to your PC, so you can get a better gaming experience, be it a DualSense, DualShock 4 controller.

Different Types of PlayStation 5 Controllers

PlayStation 5 or PS5 has two types of controllers: the DualShock 4 and DualSense controller. The DualSense came as a modification of the DualShock controllers of all the PlayStation Series.

1. DualShock Controller

The DualShock PlayStation controller is available for all the series of PlayStation gaming consoles. It has some haptic feedback during gaming sessions and its vibration is of another level. Its experience when using it improved with the later versions from DualShock 2 to DualShock 4 and we noticed the improvement with the PlayStation 4 controller. On PS5 it is even best than you can think.

2. DualSense Controller

Photo by Tamara Bitter on Unsplash

This controller was released based on the discussions of PlayStation with designers and famous gamers. The DualSense is the PlayStation 5's controller and was introduced on April 7, 2020. It is based on the DualShock 4 controller that came before it with an evolution of design and improvement of its capabilities thanks to discussions with gamers and designers.

The DualSense controller has adaptive triggers with haptic feedback through voice coil actuators that can change the resistance to the player as necessary, supporting experiences such as virtually drawing an arrow from a bow.

The DualSense maintains the same buttons as the DualShock 4, though the "Share" button was renamed to "Create" with additional means for players to create and share content. It has a new built-in microphone array so that players can speak to others using only the controller, and the included controller speaker has been improved.

You probably want to know how to connect this amazing PS5 controller to your Android, iOS, or PC device. Let's see that below.

How to Connect PS5 DualSense and DualShock Controller to Android Phone

Before we kick start, there is one thing you should know. Sony has not yet released a feature supporting remote play on Android using the DualSense PS5 controller, unlike iOS, whose version 14.5, released by Apple, supports remote play with the PS5 DualSense controller. However, there are so many apps that can get the job done on Android within seconds. Sony will certainly add a feature support for that feature in future updates.

As for the DualShock 4 PS5 Controller, it will definitely remote play with Android definitely but the Android device must be running Android Version 10 or above. Any inferior version will not work.

If you have a PS5 DualShock controller and an Android device of at least 10 as version, then follow the steps below to connect your controller to your Android phone for remote playing of your game.

1. On your Android device, Open Settings.
2. Click on Connected devices, then select Bluetooth.
3. Turn on your Bluetooth if it is off, then click on Pair new device.
4. Now press and hold your PS5 DualShock controller's "PS" and "Share" button for at least 5 seconds till it blinks a blue LED. Now it is ready to pair.
5. Go to your Android Bluetooth settings and locate your PS5 DualShock Controller's name. It is usually called "Wireless Controller". Click on it to pair.
6. Once paired, you can remote play your games on Android using your PS5 DualShock Controller.

Note!
Once Sony releases the feature support for DualSense controller, you can equally follow the above steps to connect the controller to your Android phone. The "Share" button here will be replaced by a "Create" button. All the steps for connectivity are the same.

How to Connect a PS5 DualSense, DualShock Controller to iOS (iPhone and iPad)

Unlike support issues on Android, Apple has made it really easy for all iOS users using versions as from iOS v14.5 to connect their PS5 DualSense or DualShock controllers remotely to their iPhone or iPad devices. Not only does iOS v14.5 support PS5 controllers, but it equally supports Xbox Series X controllers.

So if your iOS device isn't yet running at least v14.5, consider updating it and follow the steps below to connect your PS5 DualSense or DualShock controller to your iPhone or iPad.

1. On your iOS device, go to Settings.
2. Now click on Bluetooth in the navigation tray.
3. You will see a section of "My Devices" and under it is a list of already paired devices. Just beneath that list, you will see "Other Devices" which are devices ready to pair.
4. Now, on your PS5 DualSense Controller, press and hold the "Create" and "PS" buttons for 5 seconds at least until the LED starts blinking blue. If you let go earlier, your controller will turn on your PS5 console instead.
5. Now go back to your Settings on your iOS, and you will see "DualSense 5 Wireless Controller". Click on it to pair.
6. You have just connected your PS5 DualSense Wireless controller to your iOS device.

Note!
The same steps are to be followed if you want to pair a PS5 DualShock 4 controller to your iOS device. In this case, the "Share" button will be "Create" instead.

How to Connect a PS5 DualSense and DualShock Controller to PC

There are two ways you can connect your PS5 DualSense or DualShock controller to your PC, which are by using a USB cable and by using Bluetooth (for PC that support Bluetooth). However, the USB method should work for everyone.

How to Connect a PS5 DualSense, DualShock Controller to PC using USB Cable

For this method, you are going to need to use a USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable, as the DualSense uses a USB Type-C port instead of micro USB like the DualShock 4. Follow the steps below to connect your PS5 controller to PC using USB.

• Plug the cable into both the controller and your PC
• Windows will automatically detect it. 
• If your PC is equipped with a dedicated USB-C port (the case for most laptops), you could also use a USB-C to USB-C cable.

Note!
Windows 10 and above versions will easily detect the controller other unlike previous systems such as Windows 7, which will require you to install connectivity drivers.

How to Connect a PS5 DualSense, DualShock Controller to PC using Bluetooth

If you are not fan of playing with wires or cables, then this option should be the best for you. However, your PC will need to have support for Bluetooth before it can be possible. Laptops or Desktops with Bluetooth adapters of at least 2.0 will work well. Follow the steps below to connect your PS5 controller to your PC through Bluetooth.

• Press and Hold your PS5 DualSense Controller's PS and Share buttons together for at least 5 seconds till the LED begins to blink blue.
• On your Windows 10 PC, click on the speech bubble icon in the Taskbar located at the bottom-right corner of your screen. This will then open up the Action Center, so from there click "Bluetooth" and then select "Wireless Controller".
• Click on it to Pair, and if in case you are asked for a Pairing code, enter the default pairing code, which is 0000, and click on Pair.
• Your PS5 Controller should be connected to your PC immediately.
• You can now play your games on PC wirelessly.

Note!
The same steps can be followed for pairing a PS5 DualShock Controller to your PC through Bluetooth, and the only difference will be the "Create" button, which will in this case be "Share".

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Conclusion

The above steps will get your PS5 controller connected or paired to your Android Phone, iOS device, or PC without issues, be it the DualShock or DualSense controller.

As for Android, you need to make sure that your device is at least Android 10 or above as Android version. You can equally check for updates of your Android device. However, on Samsung's recent device, the connection shouldn't be a problem. 

Apple has made it easy for all its users to pair their PS5 DualSense controller to their iOS devices, and Android users are still waiting for the hot cake update from Sony.

PC users will not have problems too but to pair through Bluetooth, their Bluetooth devices will need to have support for such a connection. So we recommended adapters of at least 2.0.