Step-by-Step Guide on How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5?

The Playstation Ps5 offers a wide range of backward compatibility with most PlayStation 4 (PS4) games, allowing the players to enjoy their favourite games and titles from the previous generation even though the PS5 Controller does offer advanced features.

In this article we will discuss "How to connect Ps4 controller to Ps5?" and will provide you with a comprehensive walkthrough on how to connect a PS4 controller to a PS5 console.

Understanding PS4 Controller Compatibility with PS5

Before moving on to the main part, it's essential to recognize the limitations first which are:

• The DualShock 4 can be used to play PS4 games on the PS5. However, it cannot be used to play PS5-exclusive titles.
  
  

• To experience the full features of PS5 games, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, the DualSense controller is necessary.

Methods to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5

There are two primary methods on to know "How to connect PS4 controller to PS5?": via a USB cable or Bluetooth.

1. Connecting via USB Cable

This is the most straightforward method:

1. Power on the PS5 Console: Ensure your PS5 is turned on.
   

2. Connect the Controller: Use a USB cable to connect the DualShock 4 to one of the PS5's USB ports.
   

3. Pair the Controller: Press the PS button on the controller. The light bar will illuminate, indicating a successful connection.
   

4. Assign a User Profile: Select a user profile on the PS5 to assign to the controller.
   

2. Connecting via Bluetooth

For a wireless connection:

1. Navigate to the Settings: On the PS5 home screen, go to Settings > Accessories > Bluetooth Accessories.
   

2. Enter the Pairing Mode on Controller: Press and hold the PS button and the Share button on the DualShock 4 simultaneously until the light bar starts flashing.
   

3. Select the Controller on PS5: On the PS5 screen, under Bluetooth Accessories, select the "Wireless Controller" option that you can see.
   

4. Confirm the Connection: Once it is connected, the light bar will change to a solid color which will indicate a successful pairing.
   

Limitations and Considerations

• No Support for PS5 Games: As previously mentioned, the DualShock 4 cannot be used to play PS5-exclusive games.
  

• Limited Features: The DualShock 4 lacks the advanced features of the DualSense, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
  

• Potential Compatibility Issues: Some third-party PS4 controllers may not function correctly with the PS5. It's recommended to use official Sony DualShock 4 controllers for optimal compatibility.

Troubleshooting Tips

If you are having problems on how to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5, keep the following in mind:

• Make Sure the Controller is Charged: A low battery may prevent pairing from being successful.

• Reset the Controller: Press the reset button on the back of the controller, which is near the L2 button, using a small pin.

• Delete Existing Pairings: If the controller was already paired with another device, it could disrupt the connection. Delete existing pairings before trying to connect to the PS5.

• Update PS5 Firmware: Make sure your PS5 system software is updated, as updates can also fix compatibility issues.

Why Use a PS4 Controller on PS5?

Explore the benefits of using a DualShock 4 controller on a PS5, including cost savings, familiarity, multiplayer convenience, and controller preference for certain game genres.

PS4 Controller vs PS5 Controller: Key Differences

Break down and compare the features of the DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers:

• Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
  
  

• Microphone and speaker improvements.
  
  

• Battery life and charging.
  
  

• Comfort and ergonomics.

Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5 Games?

Now we will discuss  why PS5 games cannot be played using a DualShock 4 and discuss how PS5 game mechanics are designed around the DualSense hardware.

The short answer would be that no and there is no set answer for How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5, you cannot but if we look past the basics and decide to focus on the arbitrary we can surely see why this isn't possible.

Sony’s Official Stance on Controller Compatibility

Sony explicitly defines this limitation in official PlayStation documentation. Although DualShock 4 controllers are entirely supported for compatible PS4 games run on a PS5, the controllers aren't compatible with games exclusive to PS5. 

You will be instructed by the console to use a DualSense controller when you try to play a PS5 title with a DualShock 4.This decision was made to ensure that all players enjoy the complete experience that PS5 games are built to deliver—an experience heavily reliant on the capabilities of the DualSense.

Why PS5 Games Require the DualSense Controller

PS5 games are made to fully exploit the revolutionary capabilities of the DualSense controller, such as:

1. Haptic Feedback: Replacing the old rumble motors, the haptics in DualSense can replicate anything from driving through mud to the sound of footsteps on various surfaces.

2. Adaptive Triggers: These triggers provide dynamic resistance, allowing you to sense the tension of a bowstring, the brake pedal resistance, or the recoil of a gun.

3. Built-in Microphone: Allows for rapid voice chat without a headset, straight from the controller.

4. Improved Motion Sensors: Provide more accurate tracking in motion-based games.

5. Touchpad Enhancements and Lightbar Integration: Improving gameplay features and accessibility features.

These next-generation features are deeply integrated in the mechanics and immersion of PS5 games. Developers craft gameplay interactions and feedback loops with these features in mind as users want to know how to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5.

Attempting to play a PS5 game without the DualSense would be to strip the game of essential experiences, which is why Sony limits such compatibility. It’s like playing a game but your character is not fully equipped with powers.

Technical and Design Constraints

Aside from hardware, there are design and software explanations for this limitation. PS5 game engines tend to have code explicitly addressing trigger resistance levels, motion feedback, and contextual haptic feedback. 

The DualShock 4 simply does not have the internal structure to interpret or send these inputs and outputs. Even if backward compatibility was a technical possibility, the end result would be a diminished experience that might puzzle or disillusion players.

Sony's action maintains consistency and quality with every PS5 gaming experience, which is crucial to upholding their brand promise for next-generation immersion. Hence no way on "How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5?".

What Happens If You Try to Use a PS4 Controller on a PS5 Game?

If you connect a DualShock 4 into your PS5 and attempt to launch a native PS5 game—such as Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, or Returnal—you'll be greeted by a warning screen. It'll read something like:

"PS5 games require a DualSense wireless controller."

By then, you'll have to remove the DualShock 4 and plug in a DualSense to continue. There is no official bypass, and third-party adapters or unofficial procedures (if available) have reliability and security concerns.

Exceptions and Special Cases

It should be mentioned that not every game being played on PS5 is a PS5 game.You can usually verify this in the game library. If there is an option to select between "PS4" and "PS5" versions of a game.

If you choose the former, your DualShock 4 will be perfectly functional.In some cases with games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Minecraft still have their PS4 counterparts that can be downloaded and played on PS5

How This Affects Multiplayer and Local Play

This restriction can affect local multiplayer situations. The DualShock 4 won't be accepted, not even for player two. This is something to take into account before having game nights or buying games for local co-op play.

This restriction can heavily affect local multiplayer situations, especially for homes or configurations with a single DualSense controller. The console simply will not recognize a DualShock 4 as a replacement—not even for player two.

This has important implications if you're:

• Planning a game night and expecting to use older controllers you already own.
  

• Budgeting for a new console setup and considering whether to buy a second DualSense.
  

• Hosting younger players or siblings, who may be fine with simpler controllers but still need DualSense to participate.
  

• Switching consoles during a local tournament, where compatibility and setup speed are key.
  

The Hidden Cost of Multiplayer on PS5

This limitation also means that new owners of PS5 pay a secret cost. Though the console itself is an expense, many players ignore the other accessories necessary for multiplayer experience. A second DualSense controller currently sells at a high price point.

Third-party alternatives might come at the cost of performance or compatibility. Furthermore, if you're upgrading from a PS4 and are looking to reuse existing controllers for local play, this limitation effectively negates that cost-saving tactic.

You can still look up the ‘How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5’ method, but it won't be helping your cause with native split-screen, couch co-op, or competitive multiplayer on the latest games.

A Reminder for Digital Game Sharing Setups

In cases where families use game sharing features—like setting one PS5 console as the primary for multiple accounts—each account may have different controllers associated with them. 

This can be especially important for:

• Parents managing console access for multiple children
  

• Roommates with different controllers
  

• Couples or friends sharing a single PlayStation 5 unit

What About Cloud Gaming and Remote Play?

In the past few years, cloud gaming and remote access solutions have evolved dramatically, with more innovative technology and offering unprecedented flexibility to gamers. This keeps the gamers hooked up on games.

Using DualShock 4 on Remote Play: Limited but Functional

Regarding Remote Play and backward compatibility, the Dual Shock 4 becomes rather important once more Even if you are doing it from a PS5 console, you can utilise a Dual Shock 4 controller on the client device for PS4 titles being streamed via Remote Play. 

For those who haven't yet bought a second DualSense controller or just want the smaller Dual Shock 4 form factor for extended sessions, this presents a nice alternative. Still, the game has to be a PS4 native one. 

The system imposes the same hardware constraint whether you try to broadcast a PS5-exclusive game from a client device like your PC or phone: it needs a DualSense to play PS5 titles, whether or how you're streaming them.

Controller Requirements Still Apply

Although you're not gaming directly on the PS5, the console remains the host. Thus, controller compatibility rules are applied according to the game's platform—not the hardware of the Remote Play client. 

This implies that even if your laptop or mobile device can detect a DualShock 4, it will not function if the content is a PS5 game. The system will toss an error up or just flatly refuse to register input until a DualSense controller is set up and being used.

This can be confusing and even infuriating to users who expect that Remote Play somehow circumvents hardware constraints. But Remote Play is actually a reflection of your console's behavior, not a workaround for platform constraints. 

It's more akin to a distant HDMI cable and input receiver than a completely cloud-native gaming system.

PS Remote Play Setup Requirements

To get started with Remote Play, you'll need:

• A PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console
  

• A stable, high-speed internet connection (at least 15 Mbps recommended)
  

• A Remote Play-compatible device (PC, Mac, iOS, Android, or another PS console)
  

• The PS Remote Play app installed on your device
  

• A compatible controller (DualShock 4 for PS4 games, DualSense required for PS5 games)

Streaming Over Long Distances: Internet Speed Matters

In this case the performance will depend heavily on:

• Upload speed from your PS5’s home network
  

• Download speed at your client device
  

• Router quality and signal stability
  

• Distance from the host console

Conclusion

Although it is limited at face value and you don’t get the answer How to Connect PS4 Controller to PS5, Sony's move to prevent the usage of the DualShock 4 on PS5 titles is done in the spirit of immersive play. 

It protects all players from receiving a half-baked next-gen sensory experience. If you're clinging to your PS4 controller for multiplayer or nostalgic purposes, it'll still be of use to you with PS4 games on your PS5. 

But for next-gen gaming, the DualSense is a requirement, not merely because of policy but because of the technological advancement that characterizes the PlayStation 5.

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