The controller for Sony's PlayStation iv, the DualShock iv, is 1 of the most popular gamepads right at present. It's even a nifty controller for people without PlayStation consoles, since it can also be used with gaming PCs and Android devices. That'south right, you could be playing Fortnite, Minecraft, and plenty of other titles on your telephone with concrete controls with a PlayStation 4 controller.In this guide, we'll prove you how to set up the DS4 with your Android phone or tablet, plus some tips for improving the gaming experience.

How to connect to the DualShock 4

There are two ways you can connect your DualShock 4 to your Android phone. Merely like with a existent PlayStation panel, the controller supports both Bluetooth and direct USB connections. Bluetooth is the easiest choice, but USB may be preferable for long gaming sessions, since your phone tin can provide a steady charge to the DS4.

Bluetooth

The DualShock 4 tin connect to your telephone over a Bluetooth connection, only like it does with a regular PlayStation console. Offset, hold down on the PlayStation and Share buttons on your controller until the light bar on the dorsum starts to wink white. This places the DS4 into pairing fashion.

Next, open the Bluetooth options in your phone'southward Settings app, and pick the selection to pair a new device. Tap the DualShock four in the list (information technology may simply show upward as 'Wireless Controller'), confirm the pairing if you get a popup, and you're washed. Super unproblematic.

When you're washed playing games, y'all can disconnect the DualShock four in the Bluetooth settings to turn it off, or only concord down on the PlayStation button for around x seconds.

Wired USB

If you prefer to use a wired connection, yous tin can practise that too — all yous demand is the correct cable or adapter for connecting your DualShock iv to the port on your phone or tablet. In that location are a few options for doing this.

If your phone or tablet has a microUSB port, shaped like the 1 on your DualShock 4 controller, then you'll need to purchase an OTG adapter like this one. They give your device a total-size USB port, which yous can so use to plug in the DualShock four with its included power cable (or whatever other microUSB cord).

If your device has a USB Type-C connector instead, you lot have 2 principal options. You can either use a USB Type-C adapter, which lets you connect your DualShock 4 using the existing ability cablevision, or you tin can buy a USB Type-C to microUSB cable, then you won't have to bargain with adapters at all. At that place is no functional difference between the 2 choices, both volition give you lot a low-latency connection.

The DualShock four will start working automatically when information technology is connected over USB — no extra setup is required. But plug and play.

How to use the DualShock 4 on Android

Modern versions of Android have nifty integration with the DualShock 4, to the point where you tin can navigate around your phone or tablet without even touching the screen. Here'south what each control does when paired to an Android device:

  • Touchpad: Moves a mouse cursor around on the screen, click or tap to press the mouse. Use two fingers to scroll up/downwardly, like on a laptop touchpad.
  • PlayStation Push button: Takes you dwelling.
  • ◯ Button: Takes yous back.
  • △ Button: Types a space.
  • ◻ Button: Acts as a Delete central.
  • ✕ Button/Options Push: Acts as an Enter key.
  • Left Joystick/D-Pad: Changes highlighted app on the home screen, moves cursor position in text, etc.

But you didn't become through all this trouble to whorl through emails with a DualShock 4, you want to play games. While there are enough of Android games that work with physical controllers, in that location are some that may not support the DS4's dual joysticks. Below are some titles that should at least partially work with the DualShock, depending on which version of Android yous take.

If you besides own a PlayStation 4, Sony's official Remote Play app is specifically designed for the DualShock 4. Information technology's definitely something worth checking out once you get your controller working.

Finally, it might exist a good thought to buy a Nyko Smart Clip or OIVO Mountain if y'all plan to utilize a DualShock controller with your phone on a regular footing. Propping up your phone to play games can get deadening after a while.

About The Author

Corbin Davenport (3633 Manufactures Published)

Corbin is a tech journalist and developer who worked at Android Police from 2016 until 2021. Check out his other piece of work at corbin.io.

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