The PlayStation 5 is here, and it includes some major improvements over its predecessor, the PlayStation 4 — one of which is its controller, called the DualSense. You’ll notice Sony dropped the DualShock naming convention altogether, indicating the start of a next-generation controller. The PS5’s DualSense is an impressive and innovative piece of tech, featuring haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, along with a more comfortable feel.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to sync a PS5 controller to your new system, step-by-step.
Recommended reading
- PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller is a return to Sony’s legacy of innovation
- PS5’s DualSense controller is changing how games are made in one surprising way
- Where to buy the PS5
How to sync a PS5 DualSense controller
The Game Awards creator, Geoff Keighley holding the PS5 DualSense controller.
Out of the box, the PS5 comes with one DualSense controller and a USB-C charge cable. To sync the DualSense controller to your PS5, turn on the system and plug the standard USB end of your charge cable into the front or back of the console. Then, plug the other end of the cable — the smaller USB-C end — into the top of the DualSense controller. From there, press the PS button on the controller, located just below the speaker on the face of the DualSense.
If done correctly, the controller should blink for a few moments and then light up on the front, indicating it has been powered on. Eventually, the lights on the controller will turn blue, meaning it has been synced to the system correctly. You’re now free to unplug the cable to use your DualSense wirelessly. Just note that you will need to utilize that cable (or a charging dock) to charge your DualSense controller periodically. Also keep in mind that you may need to update the firmware of your PS5 controller, and the system will prompt you to do so if need be.
Syncing additional controllers to your PS5
PS5 DualSense Controller USB Sony
The PS5 supports up to four DualSense controllers at once, so you’ll need to know how to sync additional controllers to your new machine if you want to play local multiplayer games. You can utilize the method described above — by using a USB-C cable — but there’s an easier way. Instead, once you’ve got one DualSense paired with your PS5, you can sync other controllers wirelessly. To do so, make sure your additional controllers are turned off. If the light on the controller is on, it means the device is turned on, so hold down the PS button for a few seconds to turn it off.
Then, using the controller that’s already paired, go to Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories. At this point, press and hold the PS button and the Create button (the button above the d-pad on the left) simultaneously on the additional controller. Eventually, the device will appear as an Accessory Found, so once it does, select it with the first DualSense controller to complete the syncing process. Test out the second controller to ensure it’s paired properly, and you’ll be all set. Repeat this process with your additional PS5 controllers (up to four total).