Compatibility
Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5?
Yes — but only for PS4 games. Here is exactly what a DualShock 4 can and cannot do on PS5, how to connect it, and when you need a DualSense instead.
Short answer: a PS4 DualShock 4 controller works on PS5, but only when you are playing a PS4 game. Sony blocks it in PS5 titles, so it cannot replace a DualSense — it can only extend a couch to a second or third player for backwards-compatible games.
What works and what does not
- PS4 games on PS5: fully supported with a DualShock 4, wired or via Bluetooth.
- PS5 games: not supported. The game refuses input and PS5 shows a message asking for a DualSense.
- PS5 system menus: mostly navigable, but you may be prompted to switch controllers.
- Media apps (Netflix, YouTube, Blu-ray playback): generally fine.
- Remote Play from a phone or PC: a DualShock 4 works there too.
Why Sony blocks it in PS5 games
PS5 games are built around DualSense hardware: adaptive triggers with variable resistance, haptic feedback instead of a single rumble motor, and a built-in microphone. A DualShock 4 has none of these, so Sony chose to block it rather than let PS5 titles run with missing inputs and broken feedback.
How to connect a DualShock 4 to PS5
- Wired: plug the controller into the PS5 with a micro-USB cable and press the PS button.
- Wireless: hold the PS and Share buttons together until the light bar flashes, then go to Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories and select the controller.
- If a PS5 game rejects it, that is expected behaviour — not a pairing fault.
When you should just buy a DualSense
If you play any PS5 game — or want split-screen and local co-op in modern titles — you need a DualSense per player. In Saudi Arabia a standard DualSense is around 299 SAR on Amazon.sa, and the DualSense Edge adds swappable sticks and remappable back buttons for competitive play. Keep the DualShock 4 for PS4 backlog games and Remote Play; buy the DualSense for everything current.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a PS4 controller on PS5 games?
No. A DualShock 4 works on PS5 only for PS4 games. PS5 titles require a DualSense because they depend on adaptive triggers and haptic feedback the older pad does not have.
Can I charge a DualShock 4 on the PS5?
Yes. Any PS5 USB port charges a DualShock 4 over micro-USB, though PS5 charging docks are shaped for the DualSense only.
Do PS4 racing wheels, arcade sticks and other accessories work on PS5?
Many licensed specialty controllers — racing wheels, arcade sticks and flight sticks — are supported in PS5 games when the developer enables them, unlike the DualShock 4. Check the manufacturer's PS5 compatibility list before buying.
Is a DualSense worth buying just for a second player?
Yes, if that second player will touch any PS5 game. A DualShock 4 simply will not function in those titles, so a second DualSense at around 299 SAR is the only way to get local multiplayer working.
