Yes, your PS4 controller works on PS5, but with limits

Your PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controller will connect to a PS5 and work for most things you do on the console. You can use it to navigate menus, adjust settings, and play many games. However, Sony restricts PS4 controllers from playing PS5 games — you can only use them for PS4 games running on your PS5, streaming services like Netflix, and the PS5 interface itself.

This matters because the PS5 has a new controller, the DualSense, with features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that PS5 games are built around. Rather than forcing developers to make two versions of every game, Sony straightforward blocks PS4 controllers from PS5 games. If you want to play new PS5 titles, you will need a DualSense controller.

Key Takeaways

  • PS4 DualShock 4 controllers connect to PS5 via Bluetooth and work for PS4 games, menus, and streaming apps.
  • You cannot use a PS4 controller to play PS5 games — only DualSense controllers are allowed for new titles.
  • Connection is wireless and automatic; you hold the PS button to pair the first time, then it reconnects on its own.
  • If your PS4 controller does not connect, restart the PS5, forget the controller from Bluetooth settings, and pair it again.

How to connect your PS4 controller to PS5

The connection process takes less than a minute. Turn on your PS5 and hold down the PS button (the center button with the PlayStation symbol) on your DualShock 4 controller for three seconds. The controller will enter pairing mode — you will see the light bar on the back flash white. On your PS5, go to Settings, then Accessories, then Controllers. Your PS4 controller should appear in the list. Select it and the pairing completes.

After the first pairing, your PS4 controller will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on near the PS5. You do not need to pair it again unless you connect it to a different device or clear the pairing manually.

What you can and cannot do with a PS4 controller on PS5

Your PS4 controller works for navigating the PS5 home screen, adjusting settings, and using apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. You can also play any PS4 game you own through backward compatibility — the PS5 runs most PS4 titles, and your old controller works perfectly for them.

You cannot use it for any PS5 exclusive game. Titles like Astro's Playroom, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Sackboy: A Big Adventure require a DualSense controller. If you try to start a PS5 game with a PS4 controller connected, the console will ask you to switch to a DualSense before play begins.

Why PS5 games need the DualSense controller

The DualSense has two features PS4 controllers lack: haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Haptic feedback is precise vibration that mimics what is happening on screen — you feel the texture of different surfaces, the impact of footsteps, or the recoil of a weapon. Adaptive triggers are buttons that change resistance as you play, so pulling a gun trigger feels different from pulling a rope.

PS5 games are designed around these features. Rather than asking developers to strip them out for PS4 controller support, Sony blocks the older controller entirely. This keeps the experience consistent and prevents players from feeling like they are missing out on core gameplay.

Troubleshooting a PS4 controller that will not connect

If your PS4 controller pairs once but does not reconnect automatically, or if it will not pair at all, start by restarting your PS5. Power it down completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try pairing the controller again using the PS button method.

If that does not work, forget the controller from your PS5's Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings, Accessories, Controllers, then find your PS4 controller in the list and select Forget. Charge the controller for at least 30 minutes using a USB cable, then pair it fresh by holding the PS button for three seconds. If the controller still will not connect, try pairing it to a different PS5 or a PC to confirm the controller itself is working — a controller that pairs to other devices but not your PS5 may indicate a PS5 software issue that a restart usually fixes.

When to buy a DualSense controller

If you only play PS4 games on your PS5 and use streaming apps, your PS4 controller is fine. You do not need to buy a DualSense unless you want to play PS5 games. If you plan to play new titles, a DualSense is necessary — there is no workaround.

DualSense controllers cost around $70 new, though prices vary by retailer and color. You can find used ones for less, but battery life degrades over time, so a used controller may not hold a charge as long as a new one. If you play PS5 games regularly, buying a second DualSense is also useful so you and a friend can play together without swapping controllers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my PS4 controller for online multiplayer on PS5?

Only if you are playing a PS4 game. For PS5 games, you must use a DualSense. The restriction applies whether you are playing alone or with others online.

Will my PS4 controller work on PS5 if I update the firmware?

Firmware updates do not change the restriction. PS4 controllers will never work for PS5 games, regardless of what version of software your PS5 is running.

Can I charge my PS4 controller using the PS5?

Yes. Plug a USB cable into one of the PS5's USB ports and connect it to your PS4 controller's micro-USB port. The controller will charge whether the PS5 is on or in rest mode.

What if I connect both a PS4 and DualSense controller at the same time?

Both will work, but the PS5 prioritizes the DualSense for PS5 games. If you start a PS5 game with both connected, the system will use the DualSense automatically. You can use the PS4 controller for menus and PS4 games while the DualSense is also paired.

Is there any way to use a PS4 controller for PS5 games?

No. This is a hard restriction built into PS5 games themselves, not a setting you can change. Only DualSense controllers are supported for PS5 titles.