Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5? What Works in 2026?
Contents
Yes, you can use a PS4 controller on PS5, but there is one major restriction: the DualShock 4 can play supported PS4 games running on a PS5, but it cannot be used to play native PS5 games.
That distinction is particularly important in 2026 because many PlayStation games are available in both PS4 and PS5 versions.
A DualShock 4 may work perfectly when the PS4 edition is launched, then appear to stop working after the player switches to the PS5 edition of exactly the same game.
Sony’s current backwards-compatibility guidance confirms that the DualShock 4, DualSense and officially licensed third-party PS4 gamepads can be used with supported PS4 games on PS5. Native PS5 games, however, require a compatible PS5 controller such as the DualSense.
For anyone upgrading from an older console, that means there is still good reason to keep a PS4 controller rather than putting it in a drawer.
Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5 in 2026?
Yes. A genuine Sony DualShock 4 can be connected to a PlayStation 5 and used with backwards-compatible PS4 games.
The important part is which version of the game the PS5 is actually running.
| What You Want to Do | PS4 DualShock 4 on PS5 |
| Play a supported PS4 game | Yes |
| Play the PS4 version of a cross-generation game | Yes |
| Play a native PS5 game | No |
| Use an officially licensed PS4 gamepad with a PS4 game | Generally yes |
| Use certain licensed racing wheels or arcade sticks | May work with supported PS4 and PS5 games |
| Play supported original PS VR games | Yes, depending on the game |
| Use DualSense adaptive triggers | No |
| Use DualSense haptic feedback | No |
PlayStation says the overwhelming majority of more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on PS5, meaning a DualShock 4 can potentially remain useful across a very large part of an existing PS4 library.
Readers wondering how much of their older library can actually move across can also see this guide to playing PS4 games on PS5, which explains discs, digital games, saves, upgrades and backwards compatibility in more detail.
Can You Play PS5 Games With a PS4 Controller?
No. A standard DualShock 4 cannot directly play native PS5 games on the console.
This is the biggest limitation and the source of much of the confusion around PS4 controller compatibility.
A player can connect the controller successfully and may be able to interact with parts of the PS5 interface, but that does not make the controller compatible with a native PS5 game.
Once incompatible PS5 software is launched, a DualSense or another controller supported for that PS5 game is required.
Sony has maintained this policy since the PS5 was introduced. It said PS5 games were designed to make use of the capabilities of the DualSense controller rather than the previous-generation DualShock 4.
The restriction is therefore different from a pairing problem. Resetting the DualShock 4 or reconnecting it will not make a native PS5 title accept it.
Why Does a PS4 Controller Work on Some PS5 Games but Not Others?
Technically, the deciding factor is not simply the game itself. It is the console version of the game being played.
A number of titles have both PS4 and PS5 editions. If both editions are owned, the PS5 may allow the player to choose which one to install or launch.
For example, if a player launches the PS4 edition on their PS5, a DualShock 4 can be supported because the console is running PS4 software through backwards compatibility.
Switch to the PS5 edition, however, and the DualShock 4 will no longer qualify as the controller required for native PS5 gameplay.
That can make it seem as though a controller suddenly developed a fault when nothing is actually wrong with it.
How Can You Check Whether You Are Playing the PS4 or PS5 Version?
This is one of the most useful checks to make when a DualShock 4 connects to the console but stops working when a particular game opens.
PlayStation allows players who own both versions of a title to switch between them from Game Library. Sony’s current instructions say PS4 editions display PS4 next to the title, while the PS5 version displays the game title without the PS4 label.
The process is:
- Open Game Library from the PS5 Games home screen.
- Select the game.
- Open the three-dot options menu.
- Look for the available game versions.
- Select the PS4 version if it is owned and installed or available to download.
- Launch that edition and reconnect the DualShock 4 if necessary.
This distinction is particularly useful for cross-generation multiplayer games. Players buying or downloading a newer edition should check the version before assuming their existing PS4 controllers can be used for local multiplayer.
How Do You Connect a PS4 Controller to a PS5?
The simplest method is to pair it using a USB cable.
Sony’s support instructions say the console should be switched on before connecting the DualShock 4 using a compatible USB cable.
Pressing the PS button then pairs the controller with the console. Once pairing is complete, the cable can normally be disconnected for wireless use.
This can be particularly useful when bringing a controller across from another PS4 or PS5 because a controller needs to be paired with the console it is going to control.
A DualShock 4 uses a Micro-USB connection rather than the USB-C socket used by DualSense controllers, so players should make sure they have an appropriate cable. Check our guide on how to conect ps4 controller to Ps5 where we explained in detail.
Can You Connect a PS4 Controller to PS5 With Bluetooth?
A DualShock 4 is a Bluetooth controller and can be paired wirelessly.
Pairing mode on the DualShock 4 is activated by holding the SHARE and PS buttons until the light bar begins flashing. Sony uses the same pairing method when connecting the DualShock 4 to compatible Bluetooth devices.
For first-time console pairing or connection problems, however, using a USB data cable is usually the simpler route because it directly establishes the controller-console relationship.
It is also worth checking the cable itself if pairing fails. Some Micro-USB cables are intended primarily for charging and may not provide the data connection expected during device pairing.
Why Is My PS4 Controller Connected to PS5 but Not Working in a Game?
The most likely reason is that a PS5 version of the game has been launched.
This is an important distinction because the controller can be connected to the console successfully without being eligible to control the software currently running.
Check the game’s version in Game Library first.
If PS4 appears beside the game title, the DualShock 4 should normally work where the title supports standard PS4 controls. If the native PS5 edition is running, changing controller settings will not remove Sony’s compatibility restriction.
Another possibility is that the specific PS4 game has a backwards-compatibility issue. Sony says most PS4 software works on PS5 but warns that some functions can behave differently and a small number of games remain PS4-only.
Can You Use a PS4 Controller for Local Multiplayer on PS5?
Yes, and this may be one of the best reasons to keep old DualShock 4 controllers.
If a local multiplayer game is running its supported PS4 version on PS5, additional DualShock 4 controllers can potentially be used rather than buying several DualSense pads purely for older games.
The restriction returns as soon as the native PS5 version is selected.
That means households with several older controllers should check whether a multiplayer title offers both PS4 and PS5 editions before buying extra hardware.
There can be a trade-off. Running the PS4 edition may mean missing enhancements available specifically in the PS5 version, while running the PS5 edition means using PS5-compatible controllers.
Do Third-Party PS4 Controllers Work on PS5?
Some do, but compatibility should be checked carefully.
PlayStation says officially licensed third-party PS4 gamepad controllers can work on PS5 with supported PS4 games. It also warns that not every licensed or third-party accessory is guaranteed to work with every PS5 or every game.
Standard PS4-style gamepads generally follow the same basic restriction as the DualShock 4: support for compatible PS4 games does not automatically mean support for native PS5 games.
This is particularly relevant to players who previously invested in premium competitive controllers.
Can PS4 Racing Wheels and Arcade Sticks Work With PS5 Games?
This is an important exception that is often missed when controller compatibility is simplified to “PS4 controllers do not work with PS5 games”.
Specialist peripherals can follow different rules from ordinary gamepads.
Sony says officially licensed specialist devices, including certain racing wheels, arcade sticks and flight sticks, can work with PS5 games as well as supported PS4 games where the specific title supports the hardware.
Players should therefore check both the peripheral manufacturer’s compatibility information and the game’s supported-controller information before replacing expensive specialist equipment.
Can You Use a PS4 Controller With PS VR Games on PS5?
Yes, for supported original PlayStation VR software.
Sony specifically recommends a DualShock 4 for the best experience with certain original PS VR games running on PS5, while some titles may instead use PlayStation Move controllers or the PS VR Aim controller.
This is another reason why keeping an older DualShock 4 can still be useful even for someone who has largely moved to PS5 hardware.
PS VR compatibility should not be confused with PS VR2, which belongs to a different hardware generation.
Can a PS4 Controller Be Used With PS5 Remote Play?
There is an important difference between controlling a PS5 directly and using Remote Play.
Sony currently supports connecting a DualShock 4 to compatible phones, tablets, computers and other supported devices.
Its support guidance states that the controller can be used with compatible games and applications streamed from a PS5 or PS4 through PS Remote Play.
Remote Play therefore has its own compatibility rules and should not be treated as proof that a DualShock 4 can directly control native PS5 software when connected to the console itself.
Device, operating-system and game compatibility can also affect which controller functions are available.
What Features Do You Lose by Using a DualShock 4 Instead of DualSense?
Even when playing a compatible PS4 game, a DualShock 4 does not suddenly gain the hardware features introduced with the DualSense.
DualSense was built around technologies such as adaptive triggers and more advanced haptic feedback. Those features are part of the reason Sony requires newer controllers for native PS5 games.
For backwards-compatible PS4 gaming, however, those differences are less important because the original software was designed around PS4-era controls.
That makes the DualShock 4 particularly practical for older games, local multiplayer and players who simply prefer its smaller shape.
Does the SHARE Button Still Work on PS5?
Yes, although PS5 handles sharing differently from PS4.
During supported PS4 gameplay on PS5, Sony says pressing the DualShock 4’s SHARE button can bring up the PS5 create interface. Holding the button can capture a screenshot, while a double press can save recent gameplay footage.
So although the traditional PS4 SHARE menu itself is not displayed in exactly the same way, the physical button remains useful when playing PS4 software on the newer console.
What Should You Do If a PS4 Controller Will Not Connect to PS5?
First establish whether the problem is connection or game compatibility.
If the controller does not connect anywhere on the console, reconnect it with a known data-capable Micro-USB cable and press the PS button. Check that the controller is charged and that the PS5 system software is current.
If necessary, the DualShock 4 can also be reset using the small recessed reset button on the rear of the controller before attempting to pair it again.
However, if the controller works normally until a PS5 game is launched, it is probably not a connection fault. Check whether the game is the native PS5 edition instead.
Sony’s system software guidance also recommends keeping consoles and games updated to the latest available versions.
Is It Worth Keeping a PS4 Controller After Buying a PS5?
For many players, yes.
A DualShock 4 is still useful for people with a sizeable PS4 library, households that need several controllers for backwards-compatible local multiplayer, original PS VR users and anyone who prefers the feel of Sony’s previous-generation pad.
It can also reduce the need to buy another DualSense purely to play older software.
The important limitation is that its usefulness will gradually decrease as a player’s library moves increasingly towards PS5-native releases.
Final Verdict: Can You Use PS4 Controller on PS5?
Yes, a PS4 DualShock 4 controller works on PS5, but primarily for supported PS4 games running through backwards compatibility. It cannot directly play native PS5 games.
The most important thing to check is the version of the game being launched. When both PS4 and PS5 editions are available, selecting the PS4 version can make an apparently incompatible DualShock 4 work immediately.
That makes the old controller far from obsolete. For PS4 libraries, local multiplayer, selected PS VR games and certain Remote Play situations, it can still be a useful part of a PlayStation setup in 2026.
For native PS5 gaming, however, players will need to move to the DualSense or another controller specifically supported for PS5 software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Any PS4 Controller on PS5?
Not necessarily. Sony officially supports the DualShock 4 and certain officially licensed third-party PS4 controllers with supported PS4 games. Compatibility of individual third-party devices should be checked with the manufacturer.
Can a PS4 Controller Play the PS4 Version of a Game on PS5?
Yes. If the PS5 is running a supported PS4 edition through backwards compatibility, the DualShock 4 can be used.
Why Won’t My PS4 Controller Work on a PS5 Version of the Same Game?
Because PS4 and PS5 editions are separate versions. A DualShock 4 can work with the supported PS4 edition while the native PS5 edition requires a PS5-compatible controller.
Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5 Without a Cable?
Yes, after pairing it can be used wirelessly. A USB connection is often the easiest method for initially pairing or reconnecting the DualShock 4.
Can You Use Two PS4 Controllers on PS5?
Multiple controllers can be used for supported local multiplayer configurations, but the game must be a compatible PS4 title if DualShock 4 gamepads are being used.
Will Sony Make the PS4 Controller Work With PS5 Games?
There is currently no indication in PlayStation’s compatibility guidance that standard DualShock 4 support for native PS5 games is being introduced.
Current Sony support documentation continues to distinguish DualShock 4 support for PS4 games from controllers required for PS5 software.
Final Verdict: Can You Use PS4 Controller on PS5?
Yes, a PS4 DualShock 4 controller works on PS5, but primarily for supported PS4 games running through backwards compatibility. It cannot directly play native PS5 games.
The most important thing to check is the version of the game being launched. When both PS4 and PS5 editions are available, selecting the PS4 version can make an apparently incompatible DualShock 4 work immediately.
That makes the old controller far from obsolete. For PS4 libraries, local multiplayer, selected PS VR games and certain Remote Play situations, it can still be a useful part of a PlayStation setup in 2026.
For native PS5 gaming, however, players will need to move to the DualSense or another controller specifically supported for PS5 software.
