How to connect PS5 controller to Windows PC, Mac, Steam

Playing games with a controller always brings unique experiences, much more interesting than with a regular mouse and keyboard. Of course, you don't necessarily have to use a console to get this experience. In fact, the console's controller can completely connect to the PC like a regular peripheral.

Below is how to connect your PlayStation 5 controller to a Windows PC or Mac via USB cable or Bluetooth for your reference.

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How to connect PS5 controller on Windows PC

The PS5 DualSense controller is a popular choice among gamers because of its comfort and advanced features. You can also connect it to your PC using a wired or wireless connection. Here's how.

Connect the DualSense PS5 controller to your PC using a USB cable

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The easiest way to connect the PS5 controller to your PC is with a USB cable. Luckily, Windows can automatically detect the controller, so you won't have to install the driver for it manually.

A USB-C data cable is required because the PS5 controller has a USB-C port. The other end of the cable (USB-A or USB-C) depends on the port on the computer.

The process here is very simple. Connect the USB-C end of the cable to the PS5 controller and connect the other end to the PC. Windows will notify that the controller is connected and the DualSense will light up.

It is done! The controller is now usable and you can continue playing video games. After launching a video game that supports controllers, the PS5 controller will have a white light around the touchpad.

Connect the DualSense PS5 controller to your PC using Bluetooth

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If you want to play games on your PC without cables, you can connect your PS5 controller to your PC via Bluetooth. If your PC does not have built-in Bluetooth, Bluetooth can be added to your PC with the help of a Bluetooth adapter.

To put the PS5 controller in Bluetooth pairing mode, you need to hold the PS and Create buttons at the same time. The Create button is like the Share button on the DualShock 4 controller.

Here's how to connect the PS5 controller to PC via Bluetooth:

1. In Windows 10 or Windows 11, go to Settings.
2. Click Add a device .
3. Select Bluetooth.
4. On the PS5 controller, hold the PS and Create buttons for 3 seconds until the controller starts flashing blue.
5. On PC, in the Add a device window , select the controller. Your controller will probably be named Wireless Controller .
6. After selecting the handle, it will stop flashing and emit a steady blue light.
7. Click Done .

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Obviously, the PS5 controller will consume battery when used wirelessly. Occasionally you will have to charge the battery to continue playing. On the contrary, playing with a wired connection will charge the controller while playing.

How to connect PS5 controller to Mac

How to connect and use the PS5 controller on a Mac is just as simple as on a Windows PC. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Take the PS5 DualSense controller out of the box and set up the port conversion cable that comes with it.

Step 2: Plug the controller into a spare USB port on your Mac.

Step 3: MacOS will automatically identify and establish a connection with the PS5 DualSense controller for you to use immediately.

Tip: Just like with Windows 10 PCs, you can also connect your PS5 controller to your Mac via Bluetooth. And of course, you will still need a Bluetooth receiver or a separate Bluetooth dongle.

Note: If you are using a new MacBook Pro, you will need to purchase an additional USB-C adapter to connect.

Limitations when using PS5 controller on Windows PC or Mac

There are some features that the PlayStation 5 controller may work well when connected to a Sony console, but are not supported on Windows PCs or Macs, including:

1. Does not support haptic feedback. It's a pity that this interesting feature of the PS5 DualSense controller cannot work on Windows PC or Mac, making the overall experience less attractive.
2. The adaptive triggers feature does not work. This is also one of the most worth experiencing features of PS5, and unfortunately it cannot work on Windows PC or Mac.
3. You may have to set up a node configuration. Some games will display the correct PlayStation button prompt, but not all, so you'll need to configure everything for each individual game.

How to use the PS5 DualSense controller with Steam

Steam is the symbol of PC gaming, but that doesn't mean Steam only supports keyboard and mouse. In fact, Steam has native controller support for all video games played on it. This feature can be used to calibrate and customize the PS5 controller for games played on Steam.

This means that even if you're playing a non-Steam game, you can still easily add the game to your Steam library and enjoy the controller support provided by Steam. This is especially useful for games that do not yet have built-in support for the DualSense controller.

Steam detects and activates the PS5 controller by default, but you can check to make sure your PS5 controller is connected to Steam by following these steps:

1. Connect your PS5 controller to your PC and launch Steam.
2. Inside Steam, go to the Steam menu.
3. Click Settings . The Settings window will open.
4. In the Settings window, select Controller .
5. You will be able to see your controller name at the top of the page as DualSense Wireless Controller .
6. Scroll down to External Gamepad Settings .
7. Check if PlayStation Controller Support is set to Enabled .

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You can access many settings for your PS5 controller through Steam, like setting a shutdown timer so the controller turns off after a period of inactivity, turning off force feedback, and changing the light color of your PS5 controller.

Samuel Daniel

Update 09 May 2024