The fastest way: USB cable to your PS4

Plug a USB micro cable into the port on the back of your PS4 controller and into any USB port on the front of your PlayStation 4. The controller will light up and pair automatically — you do not need to press anything or hunt through menus. Once it pairs this way, you can unplug the cable and use it wirelessly.

This is the method Sony designed for first-time setup, and it works every time without fail. If you do not have a micro USB cable, any phone charger cable from the last ten years will work — they are all the same connector.

Key Takeaways

  • A USB cable plugged into your PS4 pairs the controller when ready without any menu navigation.
  • Once paired by cable, the controller connects wirelessly to your PS4 automatically when you press the PS button.
  • To pair a PS4 controller with a phone, computer, or tablet, hold the Share and PS buttons together for three seconds until the light flashes, then select it from your device's Bluetooth menu.
  • If your controller will not pair wirelessly, try the USB cable method again or hold the reset button on the back for five seconds.
  • A PS4 controller can be paired to multiple devices but will only connect to one at a time.

Wireless pairing to your PS4 after the first connection

After you have paired your controller by cable once, it remembers your PS4. Press the PS button (the large button in the center) and the controller will connect wirelessly within a few seconds. You do not need to do anything else — no menus, no codes, no second pairing step.

If the controller does not connect when you press PS, check that your PS4 is turned on and not in rest mode. If it is in rest mode, press the PS button on the controller again and it will wake the console. If the controller still will not connect after thirty seconds, unplug the USB cable and plug it back in for a few seconds, then try the PS button again.

Pairing a PS4 controller to your phone, tablet, or computer

Hold down the Share button and the PS button at the same time for about three seconds. The light on the back of the controller will start flashing white — this means it is in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to.

On your phone, tablet, or computer, open the Bluetooth settings. You should see "Wireless Controller" or "PS4 Controller" appear in the list of available devices. Tap or click it. The controller will connect and the light will stop flashing.

This pairing method works on iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Mac computers, Windows computers, and Linux machines. The controller will work with any app that supports game controllers — games, streaming apps, and some media players all recognize it.

What to do if the controller will not pair

If holding Share and PS does not make the light flash, the controller may have lost its pairing mode. Try again: hold both buttons for a full five seconds this time, not three. If the light still does not flash, your controller may have a low battery. Plug it into a USB cable for two minutes, then try again.

If the controller pairs to your phone or computer but will not pair to your PS4, try the USB cable method: plug the controller directly into the PS4 with a micro USB cable. Leave it plugged in for ten seconds, then unplug it and press the PS button. This resets the wireless connection to your console.

If you have paired the same controller to multiple devices (your phone and your PS4, for example), it may be trying to connect to the wrong one. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, then press the PS button on the controller. It should connect to your PS4 instead. You can turn your phone's Bluetooth back on after the controller connects to the console.

Pairing multiple controllers to one PS4

You can pair up to four controllers to a single PS4 at the same time. Plug each one in with a USB cable, one at a time. Each controller will pair automatically and remember your console.

Once all four are paired, you can use them wirelessly. Press the PS button on each controller and they will all connect. This is how you set up controllers for multiple players in the same room.

Why your controller keeps disconnecting

If your controller connects and then drops the connection after a few minutes, the problem is usually distance or interference. Move closer to your PS4 — Bluetooth works best within about 20 feet with a clear line of sight. If you are sitting far from the console or there are walls between you and it, the connection may drop.

If you are close to the console and the connection still drops, check what else is using Bluetooth nearby. Wireless headphones, other game controllers, or even a microwave can interfere with the signal. Try turning off other Bluetooth devices and see if the controller stays connected.

If the controller still disconnects, the battery may be low. Plug it in for at least an hour. If it disconnects even after a full charge, try the reset method: hold the small reset button on the back of the controller (you may need a paperclip or pen to reach it) for five seconds, then pair it again with the USB cable.

Pairing a second-hand or borrowed PS4 controller

If you are using a controller that was paired to someone else's PS4, it will still remember that console. When you press the PS button, it may try to connect to their system instead of yours. To clear the old pairing, hold the reset button on the back for five seconds, then plug it into your PS4 with a USB cable.

The reset button is small and recessed — you will need a straightened paperclip, a pen, or a SIM card ejector to press it. Hold it for a full five seconds, not just a tap. After you release it, plug the controller into your PS4 and it will pair as if it were brand new.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PS4 controller on my PlayStation 5?

No. The PS5 uses a different controller called the DualSense, and PS4 controllers do not work with it. However, a PS4 controller will work on a PC, phone, or tablet the same way it works on a PS4 — hold Share and PS for three seconds and pair it through Bluetooth.

Do I need to pair my controller every time I turn on my PS4?

No. Once you have paired it by USB cable, the controller remembers your PS4. Press the PS button and it connects automatically. You only pair it once, unless you reset the controller or pair it to a different console.

What if I lost the USB cable that came with my PS4?

Any micro USB cable will work — the same type used by most Android phones and older devices. You can buy one at any electronics store or online for a few dollars. You only need it for the first pairing; after that, the controller connects wirelessly.

Can my PS4 controller connect to two devices at once?

No. A PS4 controller can be paired to multiple devices, but it only connects to one at a time. If you want to use it on your phone and your PS4, you have to turn off Bluetooth on one device before the controller will connect to the other.

How long does a PS4 controller battery last?

A full charge lasts between four and eight hours depending on how much you use the vibration and light features. If you turn off vibration in your settings, the battery lasts longer. Plug it in whenever the light turns orange or red.