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  • Setting Expectations
  • How To Connect PS4 Controllers To Your PS5
  • Backward Compatibility: What Is It And How Does It Work?
  • Remote Play: Streaming PS5 Games to Other Devices with a PS4 Controller
  • Quick Troubleshooting Guide

Remember that trusty PlayStation 4 controller you bonded with over countless late nights and epic wins? Well, guess what? It doesn't have to gather dust just because you snagged a shiny new PS5. That's right, you can still rock your old gamepad with your new console!

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Today, we're walking you through exactly how to connect your PS4 controller to your PS5. But first, let's get a few things out of the way...

Updated on July 11, 2024, by Sai Vsr: In this update, we've thrown in a quick little troubleshooting guide on how to handle common issues while connecting your PS4 controllers to your PS5. Check it out!

Setting Expectations

There are a ton of benefits to using your old PS4 controller with your PS5—the biggest being the cost saving. With PS5 controllers costing anywhere between $70 to $300, having this option is a godsend to gamers. BUT, there is a catch:

You can't play PS5 games with your PS4 controller.

Here's what you can do though:

  • Play PS4 games that are backward compatible with your PS5 console.
  • Use "Remote Play" to stream PS5 games to a different device and connect your PS4 controller there to play.

How To Connect PS4 Controllers To Your PS5

Now that we've got that out the way, let's look at how you can connect your Dualshock 4 to your PS5. There are two ways you can do this: wirelessly or via a USB cable. Let's look at the easier one first:

Connecting Your PS4 Controller via Bluetooth

Step 1: Head to your PS5's Settings

Use your PS5 controller to navigate to the cogwheel icon in the upper-right corner of your PS5 homepage.

Step 2: Click Accessories

Scroll down to the "Accessories" menu. Select and on the next window look for "Bluetooth Accessories."

Step 3: Bluetooth Pairing

Grab your PS4 controller and put it in pairing mode. To do this:

  • Hold down the "PlayStation" button together with the "Share" button.
  • Wait for five seconds or until the light on the top part of your PS4 controller starts flashing.

Step 4: Scanning for Device

At this point, your controller should appear in the "Accessories found" section on your screen. Using your PS5 controller, scroll down to find your device and select.

A pop-up saying "Do you want to register this Bluetooth accessory?" should appear on your screen.

Select "Yes."

Step 5: Enjoy!

Voila! Your PS4 controller and PS5 are now best friends forever (or at least until you get a DualSense, but that's a story for another day).

Connecting Your PS4 Controller Via USB Cable

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Not a lot of people still have micro-USB cables lying around in their homes. (I certainly don't.) But for this process to work, you're going to need it—so make sure to buy one online or from the department store before you start!

Step 2: Establish Connection

Take one end of the micro-USB end of the cable and insert it into the slot in your PS4 controller.

The other end goes into your PS5's USB port; make sure it's connected snugly.

Step 3: Pair Your Devices

Press the "PlayStation" button on your PS4 controller. If the light bar starts flashing, it's in pairing mode. If not, don't panic! Just wait a few seconds, and it should connect automatically.

Step 4: Start Playing!

When the light on your controller stops flashing, it means you're good to go. It's time to enjoy some great games!

Backward Compatibility: What Is It And How Does It Work?

I mentioned earlier how you can play backward-compatible PS4 games on your PS5, but what exactly does that mean? Well, it means you save money, that's what!

You don't have to re-buy your entire library just because you snagged a PS5. The PS5 is backward compatible with the overwhelming majority of PS4 games, meaning you can seamlessly jump between generations without leaving your beloved titles behind.

How Exactly Does This Work?

There are two ways backward compatibility works:

  • Physical Games: Just insert your PS4 game disc into the PS5 (assuming you have the version with a disc drive) and the game should boot up, ready to play. You might get notified of an update requirement, but don't worry, that's just the PS5 sprucing things up for its older cousin.
  • Digital Games: If you’ve gone all-digital, simply log into your PlayStation Network (PSN) account on your PS5. Head to your game library, and download your PS4 games.

Other Benefits of Backward Compatibility

  • Game Boost: This nifty feature can take compatible PS4 games and bump up their frame rate to silky smooth 60fps (or even higher in some cases!). Say goodbye to choppy framerates and hello to buttery-smooth gameplay.
  • Faster Loading Times: The PS5's SSD is a beast, and that means loading times for your PS4 games will be significantly reduced. No more staring at a black screen for what feels like an eternity!
  • Higher Resolutions: Some PS4 games can be rendered at higher resolutions on the PS5, making them look sharper and crisper than ever before.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. A small handful of PS4 games won't work on the PS5, and some might have minor glitches or compatibility issues. But the vast majority of your library will be playable and potentially even improved.

Is Your PS4 Game Backward Compatible with Your PS5?

So, how do you check if your PS4 games are compatible with the PS5? Easy! Sony has a handy database where you can search for specific titles or browse by genre. You can even see if a game will benefit from Game Boost or faster loading times.

Remote Play: Streaming PS5 Games to Other Devices with a PS4 Controller

There's a way you can use your PS4 controller to play PS5 games, as I mentioned earlier. Let me show exactly how that is done:

Setting Up Remote Play

  1. Enable Remote Play on Your PS5:
    • First, power up your PS5 and go to 'Settings'.
    • Navigate to 'System', then 'Remote Play', and turn on 'Enable Remote Play'.
    • It's like opening the gates to remote gaming land.
  2. Prepare Your Device:
    • You can stream to a PC, Mac, smartphone, or tablet.
    • Download the 'PS Remote Play' app on your chosen device.
    • Ensure the device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PS5.
  3. Connect Your PS4 Controller to Your Device:
    • For PC/Mac: Use a USB cable or pair it via Bluetooth (hold the PS and Share buttons on the controller until the light bar flashes).
    • For smartphones/tablets: Pair via Bluetooth in your device's settings.
  4. Launch Remote Play on Your Device:
    • Open the 'PS Remote Play' app.
    • Log in with your PSN account.
    • Select your PS5 console from the list.
    • Your device screen should now mirror your PS5 console's home screen.

Playing PS5 Games with a PS4 Controller via Remote Play

  1. Choose Your Game:
    • With Remote Play running, navigate your PS5’s menu using your device.
    • Select a PS5 game. It’s like having your PS5 library in your hands.
  2. Game On!:
    • Now, use your PS4 controller connected to your device.
    • You're ready to play PS5 games remotely with the comfort of your PS4 controller.

Quick Troubleshooting Guide

PS4 controllers aren't made to intuitively connect with the PS5. So, naturally, there's a good chance you're going to run into some issues while setting up. Here's a few handy tricks that you can try in that case:

1. Controller Won't Connect

  • First thing you're gonna want to check is if you have a low battery. Give it a quick charge for about 30 minutes using a working USB cable.
  • Next, try using a different USB port on the PS5.
  • If that doesn't work, you can always try a manual reset. All you need to do is use a paperclip to press the small reset button on the back of your controller for about five seconds. This should knock out most glitches and get your controller running. Also, make sure that your PS5 is updated.

2. Controller Disconnects Frequently

  • Check if you're within 10 meters of the PS5.
  • This is a little obvious, but it doesn't hurt to confirm anyway. Make sure there's no obstacles between the controller and console.
  • In some rare cases, too many connections around can interfere with your controller's signal, so make sure that you turn off any nearby Bluetooth devices.

3. Buttons Not Responding

  • Clean your controller with a can of compressed air and a slightly damp cloth. Make sure it isn't too wet, or you're going to risk water damage and nobody wants that.
  • Once you're done with that, give your PS5 a quick restart.
  • If your buttons still don't work, you can always boot up in Safe Mode and see if that fixes the problem. Just turn off your PS5, hold down the power button for about seven seconds, and then connect your controller again. That should fix it.

4. Controller Not Charging

  • Well, the most common fix here would be to try a different USB cable.
  • Next up, check for debris in the charging ports. In case you do find something, get in there with some compressed air, or maybe a very soft Q-tip and gently try to remove it.
  • Again, you can also try using a different USB port on the PS5.
  • You could always consider battery replacement if none of these tricks work out.

5. Issues with Remote Play

  • First, make sure that your controller is properly paired with your device.
  • Also, keep the Remote Play app and PS5 system software up to date.
  • Check that PS5 and device are on the same network
  • On PS5, confirm Remote Play is enabled in Settings > System > Remote Play (kind of obvious, but then again, you'd be surprised how often this happens).

So there you have it, folks! A quick and painless guide to connecting your PS4 controller to your PS5. Now go out there and dominate!

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