Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
If you managed to pick up a PS5 console but also own a gaming PC, you may be wondering if you can use the PS5 DualSense controller on a PC.
With its adaptive triggers and impressive haptic technology, it’s well worth trying to take advantage of its features on another platform if you have the means. In this guide we’re going to take you through the process of connecting the PS5 DualSense controller to your PC using USB or Bluetooth, so you can make the most of your PC games with Sony’s sleek controller.
Before we get started, it’s worth noting that the DualSense is fairly new and doesn’t have any official drivers on PC. You can still pair it with any PC, but it means your mileage will vary between games, depending on their level of DualSense compatibility.
Connecting a PS5 controller to your PC via USB is very simple. First, you need to check which USB ports your PC has. Some modern PCs will have USB-C ports built-in alongside USB-A, while most older PCs will only have USB-A.
Now you just need to use the appropriate cable to make the connection. Every PS5 comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable which you will likely be using to charge the DualSense controller. You can use this cable to make the connection between your PS5 and your PC, and as long as the game you’re playing supports the controller, your PC should instantly recognise the DualSense and let you control your game with it.
Establishing a wireless Bluetooth connection between your PS5 controller and your PC is a little trickier than the USB method. The main caveat is that your PC will need some sort of Bluetooth capability, which doesn’t necessarily come as standard. If it doesn’t have Bluetooth, you can buy a cheap Bluetooth USB adapter and plug it in to create an external Bluetooth system.
Once you have Bluetooth functionality, press the Windows key on your PC and type ‘Bluetooth’ to get to the Bluetooth menu. At the top, click ‘Add Bluetooth or other device’ and then ‘Bluetooth’ in the pop-up that follows. Pick up your DualSense for this next part. With the controller off, hold down the PlayStation button and the Share button and, after a few seconds, the controller’s light will start blinking quickly. This means the controller is ready to pair with your PC. Back on your PC, look for the controller in the list of devices (it will be marked by a controller symbol) and click on it to finish the pairing process.
As of writing, Sony has not released official PC drivers for the PS5 controller.
This will vary between games and is worth researching before you buy if the DualSense is the only controller you own. However, many games work with the controller, and some recent cross-platform titles make use of its adaptive triggers and haptics.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Founded in 2004, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Products tested and reviewed since 2003
