Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5? Explained (2026)
Short answer first: yes, you can use a PS4 controller on PS5, but only for PS4 games. The DualShock 4 does not work with PS5-native games. Sony requires the DualSense controller for those, and the block is deliberate.
This guide covers exactly what works and what does not, how to pair a DualShock 4 to your PS5, the Remote Play exception that bends the rule, and why Sony drew the line where it did.
The Short Answer: Yes for PS4 Games, No for PS5 Games
A DualShock 4 pairs with the PS5 over Bluetooth or USB and works fully with PS4 games. That covers disc and digital PS4 titles you play through backward compatibility. Buttons, sticks, touchpad, and rumble all behave as they did on the PS4.
Launch a game built for PS5, though, and the console stops you. It shows a message telling you to connect a DualSense wireless controller. This is a hard block, not a bug, and no setting turns it off.
| Scenario | DualShock 4 on PS5 |
|---|---|
| PS4 games (disc and digital) | Works fully |
| PS5-native games | Blocked, DualSense required |
| PSVR games on PS5 | Works, PSVR needs it |
| Remote Play streaming | Works, even for PS5 games |
How to Pair a PS4 Controller to PS5
Pairing takes under a minute. You will need your DualSense handy for the menus, plus a micro-USB cable that carries data, not just power.
- Connect the DualShock 4 to the PS5 with the micro-USB cable.
- Press the PS button on the DualShock 4. The light bar flashes, then turns solid.
- Go to Settings, then Accessories, then Bluetooth Accessories to confirm it is listed.
- Unplug the cable. The controller now works wirelessly.
If it will not pair, check the cable first. Many cheap micro-USB cables only charge and cannot carry data. Try the reset button on the back of the controller (press it with a pin for five seconds), then pair again. Also remove old pairings: on your PS4 or phone, forget the controller in Bluetooth settings so it does not fight for the connection.
The Remote Play Exception
Here is the one big exception. When you stream your PS5 to another device with Remote Play, a DualShock 4 can control PS5 games. The controller pairs with your phone, tablet, PC, or Mac, not with the console, so Sony’s block never kicks in.
To set it up, pair the DualShock 4 to your streaming device over Bluetooth, open the PS Remote Play app, and connect to your PS5. This is handy when the TV is taken. Remote Play also runs on a Mac, and if you are a Mac gamer, read our guide on whether you can play Valorant on a Mac.
Why Sony Blocks the DualShock 4 in PS5 Games
Sony built PS5 games around the DualSense: haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, a built-in microphone, and an improved motion sensor. Letting players swap in a DualShock 4 would break those features mid-game. Developers would need fallback modes for every effect.
It is also a clean break. When every PS5 player holds the same controller, studios can rely on its features in every game. No split experience, no lowest-common-denominator design. On PC the story differs: Steam supports the DualShock 4 natively, and tools like DS4Windows cover non-Steam games, because no single controller is mandatory there.
What About PSVR?
The original PSVR headset works on PS5 with a free camera adapter fromSonyand its games still need the DualShock 4 or PlayStation Move controllers. Your old pad earns its keep there. Note that PSVR2 is a different system with its own Sense controllers, and the DualShock 4 does not work with it.
Second Controller Options
If you need a second pad for PS5 games, buy a DualSense. Third-party PS5 controllers exist, but check that they are licensed for PS5 games. Some cheaper pads only register as PS4-style controllers and hit the same block.
For your desk setup, modern peripherals are worth a look too. Our explainer on keyboards with hall effect switches covers why rapid-trigger keys are taking over competitive play on PC.
Two-player nights are still easy. A second DualShock 4 handles PS4 co-op games on PS5 just fine. For couch co-op ideas on another console, see our list of the best co-op games on Switch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PS4 controller on PS5 for PS5 games?
No. Sony blocks the DualShock 4 in PS5-native games, and you must use a DualSense. The DualShock 4 works only with PS4 games played through backward compatibility.
Does the DualShock 4 work with PS4 games on PS5?
Yes. Pair it over USB or Bluetooth and play any backward-compatible PS4 game, disc or digital. All buttons, sticks, and rumble work as normal.
Why will my PS4 controller not connect to my PS5?
Charge it first, then use a data-capable micro-USB cable for the first pairing. Charge-only cables will not pair it. If it still fails, reset the controller with the pin button on its back and try again.
Can I use a PS4 controller for PS5 games with Remote Play?
Yes. When you stream your PS5 to a phone, tablet, PC, or Mac, the DualShock 4 pairs with that device instead of the console, so the block does not apply.
Will Sony ever allow the DualShock 4 for PS5 games?
Unlikely. PS5 games are built around DualSense features, and Sony has shown no sign of changing the policy since the PS5 launch. Once your pad is paired and you are back in your games, keep our Grow a Garden values list handy if you trade in Roblox. We cover PlayStation guides like this every week. Read more about Axeetech.
Axee Davies is the founder of AxeeTech, publishing gaming guides, codes, and Windows how-tos since March 2013. A tech enthusiast for 13+ years — starting with smartphones and Android rooting — he now runs a site that puts out a new guide every day for Roblox players, traders, and Windows users. More about AxeeTech