Yes, a PS4 controller works on PS5, but only for PS4 games

You can connect a PS4 DualShock 4 controller to your PS5 console, and it will work — but only when you are playing PS4 games. The PS5 will not let you use a PS4 controller for any PS5 games. If you want to play the newer games your PS5 can run, you need a PS5 DualSense controller.

This matters because the PS5 DualSense has features that PS5 games are built around: haptic feedback (precise vibrations that change based on what is happening in the game) and adaptive triggers (buttons that get harder or easier to press depending on the game). A PS4 controller cannot do either of those things, so PS5 games straightforward will not recognize it.

Key Takeaways

  • PS4 DualShock 4 controllers work on PS5 only for playing PS4 games, not PS5 games.
  • You connect a PS4 controller the same way you would to a PS4: through Bluetooth or a USB cable.
  • PS5 games require a PS5 DualSense controller because they use haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that PS4 controllers do not have.
  • If you own both a PS4 and a PS5, your PS4 controllers can move between them without any setup beyond pairing.

How to pair a PS4 controller with your PS5

The pairing process is straightforward. Hold the PS button and the Share button on your PS4 controller at the same time until the light bar on the back starts flashing white. This puts the controller into pairing mode. On your PS5, go to Settings, then Accessories, then Controllers, then Bluetooth Accessories. Your PS4 controller should appear in the list — select it and it will pair.

If you prefer a wired connection, plug the PS4 controller into your PS5 with a USB cable. The PS5 will recognize it when ready without any pairing steps. This is useful if your controller's battery is low or if you want a stable connection without wireless interference.

Once paired, the PS4 controller will stay connected to your PS5. You do not need to re-pair it each time you turn on the console, the same way you would not need to re-pair a PS5 DualSense controller.

When you can actually use a PS4 controller on PS5

Your PS4 controller works for any PS4 game you play on the PS5. The PS5 can play most PS4 games — not all, but the vast majority. When you launch a PS4 game, the PS5 will let you use either a PS4 controller or a PS5 DualSense controller. The game will work the same way with either one.

You cannot use a PS4 controller for PS5 games. If you try to launch a PS5 game with only a PS4 controller connected, the console will ask you to connect a DualSense controller before the game will start. This is a hard requirement, not a preference.

You also cannot use a PS4 controller to navigate the PS5 home menu or settings. The PS5 menu requires a DualSense controller. This means if you want to switch between games or adjust console settings, you will need to pick up the DualSense even if you were just playing a PS4 game with the PS4 controller.

Why PS5 games need a DualSense controller

The PS5 DualSense controller has two features that PS4 controllers do not: haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Haptic feedback means the controller vibrates in precise, detailed ways — not just a rumble, but specific patterns that match what is happening on screen. If you are walking through snow, you feel the texture of snow. If you are firing a gun, you feel the recoil pattern of that specific weapon.

Adaptive triggers are the shoulder buttons (L2 and R2) that physically resist your press. In a game like Spider-Man, pulling the trigger to fire a web shooter feels different from pulling it to fire a gun. The trigger actually pushes back harder or softer depending on what you are doing. A PS4 controller has regular triggers that just click — they cannot do this.

PS5 games are designed around these features. Developers build the entire experience assuming you have them. A PS4 controller straightforward cannot deliver that experience, so the PS5 will not let you use one.

The difference between PS4 and PS5 controllers

Beyond haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, the PS5 DualSense controller has a built-in microphone and speaker, a touchpad (like the PS4 has), and a Create button instead of a Share button. The PS4 DualShock 4 has none of the new features. The DualSense is also slightly larger and heavier.

Both controllers use Bluetooth and can be charged via USB-C, though the DualSense charges faster. Both have a light bar on the back that glows different colors depending on what is happening. If you are used to a PS4 controller, the DualSense will feel familiar but noticeably different in your hands.

What happens if you only have a PS4 controller

If you own a PS5 but only have PS4 controllers, you can still play PS4 games on the console. You just cannot play any PS5 games. The PS5 will not let you start a PS5 game without a DualSense controller connected, even if you have a PS4 controller paired and ready.

If you want to use your PS5 for its newer games, you will need to buy a DualSense controller. You can find them at any retailer that sells gaming hardware — Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, GameStop, and others. They cost around $70 new, though prices vary by retailer and whether you buy a standard color or a special edition.

Can you use a PS5 controller on a PS4

No. A PS5 DualSense controller will not work on a PS4 console at all. The PS4 does not support it, and there is no way to make it work. If you have both consoles and want to use the same controller on both, you are limited to PS4 controllers — they work on both, but DualSense controllers only work on PS5.

This is one reason some people keep their PS4 controllers even after buying a PS5. If you switch between the two consoles, PS4 controllers let you do that without buying extra hardware. But if you only play on PS5, there is no advantage to keeping a PS4 controller around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a PS5 controller to play PS4 games on my PS5?

No. PS4 games on PS5 work with either a PS4 DualShock 4 controller or a PS5 DualSense controller. You can use whichever one you have. You only need a DualSense for PS5 games.

Can I use a PS4 controller to navigate the PS5 menu?

No. The PS5 home screen and settings require a DualSense controller. You can use a PS4 controller only when you are inside a PS4 game. Once you exit the game, you need the DualSense to do anything else on the console.

Will my PS4 controller battery drain faster on PS5?

Battery life is roughly the same on PS5 as it is on PS4. A PS4 controller lasts around 8 to 10 hours of play before needing a charge, whether you are using it on a PS4 or PS5. The PS5 DualSense battery lasts about the same length of time.

What if my PS4 controller stops working on my PS5?

First, try charging it fully with a USB cable. If it still does not connect, unpair it from the PS5 (go to Settings, Accessories, Controllers, and remove it from the list), then pair it again using the pairing steps above. If it still will not work, the controller may be faulty.

Can I use multiple PS4 controllers on PS5 for multiplayer games?

Yes. You can pair up to four PS4 controllers to your PS5 at once, just like you could on a PS4. This works for PS4 games that support multiple controllers. For PS5 games, you would need multiple DualSense controllers instead.