The PS5 controller works with iPhone through Bluetooth, but you need to put it in pairing mode first
The DualSense controller — the standard PS5 gamepad — can connect to an iPhone 13 or newer through Bluetooth wireless. The process takes about two minutes: you hold a button combination on the controller to make it discoverable, then select it from your iPhone's Bluetooth settings. Once paired, the controller works with games and apps that support it, though not every game does.
Older iPhones (12 and earlier) cannot use the DualSense controller at all. If you have an older device, you will need a different controller — the MFi (Made for iPhone) certified options like the SteelSeries Stratus Duo or 8BitDo Pro 2 will work instead.
Key Takeaways
- PS5 controllers only work with iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and newer models running iOS 16.1 or later.
- To pair the controller, hold the PlayStation button and Create button together for three seconds until the light bar flashes white.
- Once the controller appears in your iPhone's Bluetooth settings, tap it to complete the connection.
- Not every game supports the PS5 controller on iPhone — check the App Store listing for the game to confirm compatibility before you buy.
Check your iPhone model and iOS version first
Your iPhone must be model 13 or newer and running iOS 16.1 or later for the PS5 controller to work. You can check your model by going to Settings, then About — it will show "iPhone 13", "iPhone 14", or similar. To check your iOS version, go to Settings, then General, then About again and look for "Software Version".
If your iPhone is model 12 or older, the PS5 controller will not connect no matter what you do. Apple did not add DualSense support to older devices. In that case, look for an MFi-certified controller instead — these are designed specifically for iPhone and will work on any model.
Put the PS5 controller into pairing mode
Hold down the PlayStation button (the one with the PlayStation symbol) and the Create button (on the left side of the touchpad) at the same time. Keep holding both for about three seconds. The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing white — this means it is in pairing mode and ready to connect.
The controller will stay in pairing mode for about one minute. If the light stops flashing and goes dark, the pairing mode timed out and you need to try again. Do not let the controller sit idle during this step — move on to the next step right away.
Open Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and select the controller
On your iPhone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on (the toggle should be blue). Wait a few seconds and look for "Wireless Controller" in the list of available devices. Tap it to connect.
Your iPhone will pair with the controller automatically — you do not need to enter a code. Once the connection is complete, you will see "Wireless Controller" listed under "My Devices" with a checkmark next to it. The light bar on the controller will stop flashing and stay solid white, which means the pairing is done.
Test the connection with a compatible game
Not every game on the App Store works with the PS5 controller. Before you read or buy a game, check the description in the App Store — it should mention "controller support" or "gamepad support" if the game works with external controllers. Games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact support it, but many others do not.
Once you have a compatible game installed, open it and the controller should work automatically. If the game does not respond to the controller, close the game completely and reopen it. If it still does not work, the game may not support the PS5 controller on iPhone.
Reconnect the controller after the first time
After the initial pairing, your iPhone remembers the controller. The next time you want to use it, just turn on the controller by pressing the PlayStation button once, then go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap "Wireless Controller" to reconnect. You do not need to go through the full pairing process again.
If the controller does not appear in your Bluetooth list, it may have been forgotten. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find "Wireless Controller" under "My Devices", tap the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device". Then repeat the pairing steps from the beginning.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If the controller will not pair, make sure Bluetooth is on and the controller is in pairing mode (white flashing light). Try moving the controller closer to your iPhone — Bluetooth works best within 30 feet but can be blocked by walls or other devices. If you have multiple Bluetooth devices nearby, turn them off temporarily to avoid interference.
If the controller pairs but does not work in a game, the game may not support it. Check the App Store listing again or try a different game that you know supports controllers. If the controller works in some games but not others, that is normal — support varies by game.
If the controller keeps disconnecting, the battery may be low. Plug the controller into a USB-C cable and charge it for at least 30 minutes. A low battery can cause the connection to drop during use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PS5 controller on iPhone 12 or older?
No. Apple only added DualSense support starting with iPhone 13. If you have an older iPhone, you will need an MFi-certified controller like the SteelSeries Stratus Duo or 8BitDo Pro 2 instead.
Do I need to pair the controller every time I use it?
No. After the first pairing, your iPhone remembers the controller. Just turn it on and go to Bluetooth settings to reconnect. You only need to do the full pairing process once, unless you forget the device or pair it with a different iPhone.
Why does my game not respond to the controller even though it is connected?
The game may not support the PS5 controller on iPhone. Check the App Store listing to confirm controller support. If the listing says it supports controllers, try closing and reopening the game. If it still does not work, the game may have a bug or may only support certain controller types.
How long does the PS5 controller battery last?
The DualSense battery lasts around 12 hours of active play, though this varies depending on how much you use the vibration and haptic feedback features. Charge it with a USB-C cable when the battery gets low.
Can I use the PS5 controller on multiple iPhones?
Yes. You can pair the same controller with multiple iPhones. Just put it in pairing mode and connect it to each device the same way. The controller will remember all of them, and you can switch between devices by turning the controller off and on.