How to connect a PS5 DualSense controller to your iPhone

(Prototype credit: Future)

Apple tree's iOS 14.5 update has brought a suite of upgrades to current iPhones, including ane that should appeal to gamers. Once you update to iOS 14.five, y'all can bask native back up for both the PS5 DualSense controller and Xbox Series X Wireless Controller.

With the ability to stream PS5 games to iPhones and iPads via the Remote Play app, as well every bit a suite of iOS games with a gamepad, this extra level of controller back up is probable to come in handy. Furthermore, since early 2020 every Apple tree Arcade game includes controller support, now is a good time to look at using a controller with your iPhone or iPad.

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For this article, nosotros're going to focus on the PS5'due south DualSense controller, every bit it's 1 of the most interesting and innovative controllers of recent years. Every bit an aside, If you're pondering the PS5 DualSense vs DualShock iv contend, the new controller comes out on top for sheer innovation lonely. Simply these steps volition work for other Bluetooth controllers once they are set in a pairing manner.

How to connect PS5 DualSense controller to an iPhone

Connecting a DualSense controller to an iOS 14.5 device — or an iPadOS 14.five device if you lot're using a tablet — is super like shooting fish in a barrel.

ane. Plough on Bluetooth pairing on the DualSense controller

Press and concord the PS5 (power push button) and the Share button (on the tiptop left) on the DualSense controller for a few seconds. Once the light strips on either side of the touch on console showtime to wink blue, the controller is in its Bluetooth pairing mode.

2. Access the Bluetooth bill of fare in iOS or iPadOS

On your iPhone or iPad, tap the Settings app so tap on the Bluetooth sub-menu.

iii. Observe the DualSense Wireless Controller

One you're in that section, you should see an selection for DualSense Wireless Controller — tap on it and in a 2nd or two, your DualSense controller will be paired with your iPhone.

4. Disconnect the DualSense or another wireless controller

If yous demand to disconnect the DualSense from the iPhone, simply tap the controller listed in the Bluetooth card and then Disconnect or Forget This Device to cancel the pairing altogether. You can practice the aforementioned for whatever other controller of device continued to your iPhone via Bluetooth.

Using PS5 DualSense controller with iOS games

Connecting a DualSense controller to an iPhone or iPad may exist trivially easy, only getting the most out of information technology isn't so simple. Games like Phone call of Duty Mobile and a suite of Apple Arcade games work fine with the DualSense, simply figuring out the controls can require some niggling.

Naturally pulling the triggers on whatsoever controller in a first-person shooter game will burn down the actor's gun. But Call of Duty Mobile appears to be gear up for the Xbox Wireless Controller, which has been uniform with iPhones and iPads for a while.

That means you'll need to work out how the ABXY buttons on the Xbox controller correspond to the triangle, circle cantankerous and square buttons on the PS5 DualSense controller. In full general, the circle tends to correspond with B, but annoyingly the cross button doesn't correspond with the 10 push button on the Xbox controller. As such, you'll need to indulge in a bit of trial and error to piece of work out the buttons.

In other games, controller back up may be enabled but you won't be able to map the buttons, and there might not be much in the way of teaching every bit to what buttons and triggers on the controller piece of work with particular games.

Furthermore, the DualSense controller will exist treated like any other Bluetooth controller, in that its advanced haptic and features won't be enabled. That means the larger size of the DualSense controller and its trigger feel, designed to piece of work with the smart haptics and feedback, tin can experience a trivial unwieldy and unresponsive.

In that location'southward also no official Sony or Apple accessory to mount an iPhone 12 to the DualSense controller; some non-official mounts are available merely we've non tested these and tin can't adjure to their quality.

However, Microsoft offers the PowerA MOGA Mobile Gaming Prune two that lets y'all mount a variety of iPhones or Android phones to an Xbox Wireless Controller and use a cracking ratchet arrangement to position the phone'south screen in your view. This mount does partially work with the DualSense controller but it's not the most affluent fit and we'd not recommend you lot try this yourself for fear of sending your iPhone flying to the footing.

Xbox Wireless Controller and iPhone 12 — (Image credit: Future)

As such, we'd recommend using an Xbox Wireless Controller with your iPhone or iPad for the time being. All y'all need to do is printing and agree the Xbox push on the Xbox Wireless Controller until it flashes white and then follow the same Bluetooth connectedness steps detailed above.

In lieu of anything else, the DualSense still works reasonably well within IOS xiv.5, providing you're willing to be patient. And it's a rather lovely controller, particularly if y'all like a gamepad to fill up your hands, even if the clever haptics are left on the wayside when gaming on iOS xiv.5.

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Roland Moore-Colyer is U.K. Editor at Tom'southward Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He ofttimes writes most gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he's also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be institute wandering around London, often with a expect of marvel on his face.