The PS5 DualSense is regarded as one of the most remarkable strengths of the Sony console. Consequently, it is possible to utilize the sleek PS5 controller on your PC as well. The controller is considered one of the finest options for PC gaming due to its advanced haptic motors and ‘adaptive’ triggers, delivering a unique gaming experience unlike any other controller you have encountered. However, it is worth noting that not all PC games take advantage of these adaptive triggers. Nevertheless, some of Sony’s PC ports, such as Spider-Man, do offer proper rumble functionality.
Furthermore, there are other games like Deathloop, Metro Exodus, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla that can utilize the DualSense’s special features.
Thanks to Steam, integrating the DualSense controller as your primary input device is a hassle-free process. All you need to do is plug it in and start pressing buttons. There is no complicated setup involved; it simply works seamlessly. If you desire to use the DualSense controller with non-Steam games, we can provide guidance to make that possible as well.
If you’re interested in using the PS5 DualSense controller on your PC, whether it’s through a wired USB connection or a wireless Bluetooth connection, here’s a handy guide to help you get started.
Connecting Via Wire or Bluetooth
Via Wire
To establish a connection between the DualSense controller and your PC using a USB connection, you’ll require a USB Type-C to USB-A cable (or a USB Type-C to Type-C cable if your PC has a compatible port). It’s worth noting that the standalone DualSense controller does not come with this cable included, unlike the one bundled with the PlayStation 5 console. Therefore, you’ll need to obtain a suitable cable separately. Once you have the cable, simply plug it into your controller and PC, and you’ll be ready to go.
Via Bluetooth
To utilize the DualSense controller on your PC through a Bluetooth connection, you’ll need a USB Bluetooth adapter (or a motherboard equipped with built-in Bluetooth functionality). Follow these steps to establish the connection:
- Begin by opening the “Bluetooth & other devices” menu in Windows. You can do this by pressing the Windows key and typing “Bluetooth” in the search bar.
- Click on “Add Bluetooth or other device” and select the first option listed as “Bluetooth” in the next menu. This action prompts your PC to initiate a search for available devices.
- On the DualSense controller, press and hold the PlayStation logo button and the Share button simultaneously. Keep holding them until the LEDs surrounding the touchpad start flashing rapidly.
- Within a few seconds, you should see a generic entry named “Wireless controller” appear in the list of Bluetooth devices on your Windows system.
- Simply click on the “Wireless controller” entry to complete the pairing process and establish the connection.
Once the pairing is successful, you’ll be able to use the DualSense controller with your PC via Bluetooth.
Get a Bluetooth 5.0 Adaptor in less than Rs.500.
STEAM GAMES Setup
Since November 2020, Steam has incorporated initial support for the DualSense controller and has consistently enhanced its functionality. When it comes to using the DualSense on a PC, Steam offers the simplest and most straightforward method, even if you intend to use it with non-Steam games.
To begin, follow the previously mentioned instructions to connect the DualSense to your PC via wire or Bluetooth. Once the controller is successfully connected, launch Steam and navigate to Settings > Controller. In this section of the settings menu, you can access and personalize the button layout by clicking on “Desktop Configuration.”
You will notice that Steam now recognizes the DualSense as a PlayStation 5 controller. Steam automatically configures the keybindings to emulate an Xbox controller layout, where the Triangle button corresponds to Y, the Square button to X, and so on.
To further refine your experience, you can use the Calibrate option to adjust joystick sensitivity. Additionally, in the Preferences section, you can assign a name to the controller, enable or disable rumble, and configure the color and brightness of the LED strip surrounding the touchpad.
One crucial tip: ensure that “PlayStation Configuration Support” is checked under “General Controller Settings” if you wish to customize the button layout or gyro controls of your DualSense controller. With this option enabled, you can press the PlayStation logo button on the controller while in any Steam game to access Steam’s controller configuration screen.
From the Desktop Configuration screen, you can modify button bindings, customize touchpad functionality (such as separate left and right clicks), and configure the gyroscope if you desire gyro aiming. Moreover, you can create Action Sets and Action Layers to establish distinct button mappings and effortlessly switch between them during gameplay. For instance, if you prefer using gyro controls solely when flying a plane in GTA, you can create an Action Set specifically for that scenario and activate it by pressing a designated key whenever you enter a plane.
However, if you prefer to use your DualSense as a standard gamepad without any customization, you can simply leave this screen as is without making any adjustments.
NON-STEAM Games Setup
How to use a DualSense controller with Non-Steam games?
If you wish to use the DualSense controller in a game that you own on platforms like the Epic Games Store, or even with emulators, there is a solution that can work for various scenarios. The easiest way to achieve this is by involving Steam in the process.
Steam offers an “Add to library” feature for Windows executables, allowing you to add non-Steam programs to your Steam library and utilize the Steam overlay.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Launch Steam and go to the “Games” menu.
- Select “Add a Non-Steam game to my library…” from the drop-down menu. This action will display a list of programs installed on your PC.
- From the available programs, choose the game or application you want to add and use with the DualSense controller.
- Once you’ve selected the desired program, click the “Add Selected Programs” button to add it to your Steam library.
By following these steps, you can effectively integrate the game or application into your Steam library, allowing you to utilize the DualSense controller with Steam acting as the intermediary. This enables you to make use of the Steam overlay features, including controller support, even for games outside of the Steam platform.
DS4Windows is also an Option
If you want to customize the DualSense controller for non-Steam games without adding those games to your Steam library, you can rely on the helpful community tool called DS4Windows. Although the tool’s name suggests it is primarily for the DualShock 4 controller, it has added support for the DualSense as well.
To use DS4Windows with the DualSense controller, follow these steps:
- Connect your DualSense controller to your PC using either a USB or Bluetooth connection, as explained in the previous discussions, while ensuring that DS4Windows is open.
- Once the controller is connected, DS4Windows allows you to customize your keybindings, change the LED color, and monitor the controller’s battery level.
- The advantage of using DS4Windows is that it enables you to utilize the DualSense controller in any PC game that supports Xbox controller inputs. This means you can enjoy the enhanced features of the DualSense controller, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, in a wide range of games.
By following these steps and utilizing DS4Windows, you can effectively configure and use the DualSense controller for non-Steam games on your PC, expanding its compatibility beyond the Steam platform.
PC GAME Support
Which games use the DualSense controller’s features on PC?
To make the DualSense controller work in various games, it’s not always necessary to rely on Steam. In Windows, the DualSense controller utilizes the generic DirectInput driver, which is supported by some games by default. However, many modern games use Microsoft’s XInput driver, and this is where Steam Input proves beneficial.
PCGamingWiki maintains a list of games that support the DualSense features. Here are some noteworthy examples that offer support for both Adaptive Triggers and haptic feedback. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and other games may also provide compatibility. However, there is a caveat: for most of these games, Steam Input must be disabled. This means that these games inherently support the DualSense controller and can fully utilize its haptics, adaptive triggers, or both.
- Returnal
- The Witcher 3
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection
- Overwatch 2
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade
- Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition
- Deathloop
- Final Fantasy 7 Remake
- Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
- Genshin Impact
- Death Stranding: Director’s Cut
- F1 2022
- Ghostwire: Tokyo
By referring to PCGamingWiki or exploring individual game settings, you can discover more titles that offer native support for the DualSense controller’s features. Remember, in most cases, Steam Input needs to be disabled to fully utilize the capabilities of the DualSense controller in these games.