What can you actually do with the old PS4 controller on the PlayStation 5? We present to you what you can do with the DualShock 4 on the PS5 and where its functions stop.
So far, the tests for the PS5 have been published, but what about the old DualShock 4 controller? We present to you how you can use the old PS4 controller on the PS5 and what it can actually do.
Connecting the PS4 controller to the PS5: If you’ve already gamed on the PlayStation 4, you don’t need to adjust, as everything remains the same.
You connect your DualShock 4 to the PlayStation 5 using a microUSB cable to connect them. Afterwards, you can also use the controller via Bluetooth on the PS5.
Update: 11/9/2020: Ambiguous wording adjusted.
Using DualShock 4 on the PS5, but it can’t do everything
What can the DualShock do? Once you have connected your old controller to the PlayStation 5, you can do various things with it. You can…
- use and navigate the PS5 user interface
- launch and use apps
- and also launch games.
- You can also play old PS4 games with your DualShock 4.
What can’t the DualShock 4 do? With the last point, you are limited, as you can launch new PS5 games with the old PS4 controller, but you cannot actually play them.
Because once you start a PS5 game, you need to switch to the DualSense controller. If you start Astro’s Playroom, which is pre-installed on every PS5, you will receive a prompt from the console that you need to connect your DualSense. At this point, your DualShock will no longer work. Sony had already stated that PS5 games do not work with the PS4 controller.
So you cannot use your PS4 controller to play PS5 games. Conversely, it is possible that you can also use your new DualSense controller to play PS4 games.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DualSense Wireless-Controller [PlayStation 5 ]* | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

What about third-party controllers? The same applies to third-party controllers that are licensed for PlayStation: These work with PS4 games but not with the latest PS5 titles.
And if you haven’t noticed yet: The DualSense has a cool detail that many gamers tend to overlook. And this detail has a specific reason.
