To connect PS4 controller Bluetooth to any phone, PC, Mac, or tablet, start by turning the controller off. If the light bar is on, press and hold the PS button for 10-15 seconds until it turns off, then disconnect any USB cable and press and hold the SHARE button and the PS button simultaneously for 3-5 seconds until the light bar flashes rapidly in a double-blink pattern, signaling pairing mode. If you have the newer DualSense, you can connect PS5 controller Bluetooth using a similar button combination.
Before you start: how to connect PS4 controller Bluetooth
The universal first steps for all devices begin with ensuring the controller is off. Next, disconnect any USB cable connected to the controller. This indicates the controller is in Bluetooth pairing mode and ready to be discovered by your device.
Connect to Android devices
To use your PS4 controller with an Android phone or tablet, your device must be running Android 10 or later. On your Android device, open the Settings app and navigate to the Bluetooth section. Turn on Bluetooth and ensure your device is discoverable. On your controller, enter pairing mode as described above. In the list of available Bluetooth devices, select the controller's name to pair. Once paired, the light bar will turn a solid color (usually blue), indicating a successful connection. You can now launch compatible games and enjoy wireless gaming. This process is a key part of connecting a game controller to any device, and you can similarly connect a Bluetooth game controller to Windows 10 for PC gaming.
Connect to Windows PC
To pair a PS4 controller with a Windows PC, first ensure your PC has built-in Bluetooth or a Bluetooth adapter. Open the Settings app and go to Devices, then click Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Put your controller into pairing mode by pressing and holding SHARE and PS until the light bar flashes. Click Add Bluetooth or other device, select Bluetooth, and choose your controller from the list. Follow any on-screen prompts to complete pairing. The light bar will turn solid blue when connected. If your controller is not automatically recognized, you can use DS4Windows, a third-party software that enables compatibility and customization for PS4 controllers on Windows PCs.
Connect to Mac
Your Mac must be running macOS Catalina or later for native support. On your Mac, open System Preferences from the Apple menu and click Bluetooth. Ensure Bluetooth is turned on and your Mac is discoverable. In the list of Bluetooth devices, click on your controller to initiate pairing. If prompted, enter the pairing code displayed on your Mac. Once connected, the light bar will turn solid blue. For games that lack optimized controller support, you can use third-party mapper tools like Joystick Mapper or Enjoy2 to map controller buttons to keyboard and mouse inputs.
Connect to iOS and iPadOS devices
Your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 13 or iPadOS 13 or later. Open the Settings app and navigate to Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth and make your device discoverable. In the list of available Bluetooth devices, tap on your controller. The light bar will turn solid blue when paired. Most iOS games support external controllers, but check the App Store description or game settings to confirm compatibility for specific titles.
Important connection rules and troubleshooting
A PS4 controller can be paired with only one device at a time. To use your controller on a different device, you must pair it again by entering pairing mode and selecting it from that device's Bluetooth settings. There is no audio output from the controller when connected to other devices; audio will play from the connected device itself. If you need to re-pair to a different device, simply turn off the controller, enter pairing mode, and select it from the new device's Bluetooth list. These limitations ensure stable wireless performance and prevent conflicts between multiple connections.
For the wider topic, see connecting a game controller.
