Every gamer must know how to connect the PS4 controller to pc. You might be a devoted PC gamer. Or, you are a purely PS4 enthusiast. Hence, getting to know this skill is crucial. It will be useful in the long run. Know how to enjoy both mediums equally. Learn today! Surprisingly, this skill is effortless to learn.
There is Sony’s DualShock Controller for PS4. Alongside there are other PlayStation controllers. Most PCs are compatible with all of them. Hence it is advantageous to the mass. Know how to play on PS4 while connected to PC. It is even suitable for gamers who don’t play PlayStation games on PC.
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Know more about the use of the PS4 Controller
There is a PS5 Dual Sense controller. The advancements in this Controller are no match to PS4. Then, you might wonder what is the need to use PS4? Well, it provides a dual facility. Unlike PS5, one can play PlayStation games. Besides, it allows the gamer to play PC games as well. All these can be done on your computer, anytime.
For the gamepad, PS4 DualShock Controller is an excellent choice. This works well when playing on a gaming PC. It has a layout of buttons. This is essential for most controller-based PC titles. Additionally, a trackpad is available. It helps to get insert mouse input when necessary. With the available facilities, PC gaming becomes a whole new experience. As a gamer, you wouldn’t want to miss out on this experience.
Learn how to connect the PS4 controller to pc. First, you will require a controller, preferably a PS4 Controller. Second, you will need Windows or Mac PC. Alongside, you will require a USB cable. You may wirelessly connect your Controller to the PC. One may do so using the computer’s built-in Bluetooth. Or, you may even use a separate adaptor. Gamers prefer Sony PlayStation 4 DualShock USB Wireless Adaptor dongle.
Plug the dongle into the PC’s USB port. There are other Bluetooth adapters as well. It must support Bluetooth 2 and above. These criteria should work fine as well. Currently, the audio jack of the Controller isn’t supported. Therefore, you will need to connect your headphones to the PC. Or, you may make use of wireless headphones. Either option works just fine.
Learn how to connect PS4 controller to pc
Let’s run through different methods of connecting ps4 to pc.
1. How to use the PS4 Controller on pc using DS4Windows.
Up first is the DS4Windows. Here are the steps to follow.
- Downloading DS4Windows. The very first step is to download DS4Windows. Using the PS4 DualShock Controller on a PC is very simple. However, it’s not quite the plug-and-play material. The gamer must install additional software. It is the DS4Windows This will help you to work better on a PC. It helps to connect the Controller more quickly to the PC.
This software fools your PC. The PC is made to believe a funny thing. It thinks the DualShock is Xbox 360 controller. This connection is supported in Windows. Hence, the connection occurs more swiftly. You can get this software from the DS4Windows website. All you need to do is download the latest build from the GitHub page.
- Installing DS4Windows. The second step is the installation of DS4Windows. Here, the first step is locating the zip file on the PC. Then the next step is to right-click on it. Then select the ‘Extract All’ option. A pop-up window appears. You will be asked about the final location of the files. The gamer can choose to extract the files into the zip file folder.
This is the folder where you downloaded the zip file. Or, you may opt to choose a new folder option. After file extraction, the destination folder will open. You will see two files here. One is DS4Updater.exe. It is the program that keeps the DS4Windows program updated. The latest drivers are updated here.
Suppose you encounter any problems in the future. Running this file will help you to counter any issues later on. You will need to double-click on the second file. It is DS4Windows. Exe. This will help to begin the procedure of setting up the software. After that, the PS4 DualShock Controller will begin working on the PC.
- DS4Windows Set up. The next step is setting up the software. Upon launching, they ask for the location for saving settings and profiles. It is recommended to choose the default selection. In other words, choose the default selection of Appdata. A new window opens. Choose the option ‘install DS4 driver’. This enables the user to use the PS4 Controller on Windows. Use it on Windows 8, 8.1, and10.
Suppose you have older versions of windows. For example, Windows 7 and older versions. In this case, one must install the 360 drivers as well.
One can connect the PS4 Controller to the PC using either way. It can be a USB or Bluetooth.
2. How to connect a PS4 Controller to a pc using a USB cable
Follow the steps mentioned below to join. The first thing you will need is a regular micro USB cable. This one usually comes with modem smartphones. Plug it into the PS4 Controller. Now plug in the other side to your PC. Upon connecting on both sides, the Windows must detect it.
Now you are ready to play any game using a PS4 Controller. Have fun playing games on your PC using the Controller.
3. Know how to Connect PS4 Controller to pc Bluetooth
This is an excellent alternative to wireless adapters. Suppose you do not have the official DS4 wireless adapter on hand. Make use of Bluetooth instead. Learn to connect the PS4 Controller to pc Bluetooth. The gamers must keep one note in mind. This option may not always work for you. It entirely depends upon the hardware of your PC. However, it is worth the try. Especially when you don’t want to connect a long cable to the Controller.
But first, ensure the PS4 is not paired with the Controller. The best way is to begin pairing in the mentioned manner—first pair the Controller to PC. Make use of any wired method. This must be completed before proceeding further.
Step 1
The first step is to go to Windows. Now click on the start button. You need to look for a gear icon. It is the settings icon. Click on the icon. You may find it directly above the power button. This button is used to shut down the PC.
Step 2
The settings page will open. The second step is to go to the search box. Here the user needs to type ‘Bluetooth.’ The dropdown box will show the suggested search results. From the results, click on ‘Bluetooth and other device settings.’ In the settings app, look for Bluetooth controls.
Step 3
The third step is crucial. Make sure the Bluetooth is switched on. The switch must be to the right. Alongside make sure the PS4 is in rest mode. Or you may switch it off completely. This makes sure the Controller has not connected actively. Press PS and Share buttons on the Controller at the same time.
Step 4
Keep it pressed for about 3 seconds. You will notice a light flashing at the top of the Controller. Pair the Controller with the pc using this mode. Next, click on the option “add Bluetooth or other devices.” This will direct you to a page. Here you will be asked to add a device. Choose to add Bluetooth here.
Step 5
You will be given a list of available devices. Click on “wireless controller.” At times you may need to enter a code here. In such a scenario, enter “0000”. The connect must connect automatically.
4. Set up PS4 Controller in Steam
The Steam support for the PS4 Controller came into light on 1st November 2016. This announcement took place in a Steam Client Beta Patch. Valve made the addition of Steam Configurator support. The Steam Configurator support is for the PS4 DualShock controller on pc. It went live around the second week of December.
Want to use a PS4 Controller on Steam? Make sure you have the following on hand.
The first thing is the PS4 DualShock Controller. Secondly, a micro USB charging cable is necessary. Finally, one must have the latest version of Steam. Note, this option allows connecting the PS4 Controller to Steam only. It also works for the insides of Steam library titles. Any outside working is not possible when connected to Steam. Keep in mind not to plug in your Controller right now. Let’s get a quick view of the steps to use Steam
Step 1
The first step is to open Steam. The opening page will direct you to the login page. The user can log in using their Steam credentials.
Step 2
The second step is to check if Steam is updated—first, head over to the Steam platform. Now click on the “Check for Steam Client Updates.” The latest version is usually updated by default. This happens as soon as the user logs in. However, it’s better to double-check before proceeding.
Step 3
The user must enter into the big picture mode. Look for the square icon beside your username. This icon on Steam allows you to enter the “big picture mode.” Open the big picture mode page. Now go to the top right corner. Look for a gear icon over there. Click on that icon. It will take you to the controller subsection. The next step is to choose and click “Controller Settings.”
Step 4
The fourth step is to get the configuration settings. Firstly, click on the “PlayStation configuration support” option. Now you may be having an Xbox controller. In that case, tick on the “Xbox configuration support” option. Or you may be having a universal controller. For this option, tick the “generic configuration support” option.
Step 5
The next step is to detect the appropriate Controller. You must have a micro USB cable with consoles for this step. Use it to connect the PS4 Controller to the PC. It usually detects the Controller automatically. On connecting, you may hear a sound. This would ensure the detection is successful.
You may encounter an alternative effect. The Controller might rumble at times. This occurs when the rumble option is turned on. Suppose the Controller is synced to your PS4 system. At the same time, it is plugged up. The Controller may try to connect to it. The user just needs to press the PS button. You can start playing once the Controller is detected.
Play wired or wirelessly, as per your preferences. One must keep an eye on the battery levels. This is crucial when playing wirelessly.
Step 6
This is an optional step. At times, gamers may customize their Steam controller. For such custom gamers, this is the step to follow. Personalize your gaming experience. Go to the big picture mode. Head onto the controller settings. Here, choose the option “preferences.” It will be located on the right of your screen. These settings will be seen as post controller connectivity.
You may do the following customizations. First, you can name your Controller as per choice. The gamer can switch the rumble on or off. The third customization is controller light. The user can adjust the light color as per convenience.
Learn how to personalize Controller using DS4Windows
Well, now you know how to connect the PS4 controller to pc. Well, let’s have some fun with it. Shall we? Now you can personalize your Controller as per preferences. Go to the DS4Windows application. Now click on the “profiles” tab. This customization offers a lot more than what Steam offers.
A whole range of customizations is available on this application. Just like Steam, this app offers to name the Controller. The second feature is rumbling. One can switch it on or off as per preference. The gamer can even set the rumble level as per choice. One can adjust the controller color. Further, make the light color settings as per convenience.
The Controller can warn the gamer when the battery level is dropping. Similarly, it can also detect the full battery level when charging. Hence, such customizations can help gamers to be more careful. The gamer can assign macros or customize them anytime. Lastly, the app allows users to make customizations in crucial mapping.
5. Set up PS4 Controller with Xbox
Microsoft has finally been able to release appropriate drivers. This has aided the PC gaming experience. They are the Xbox 360 controller and Xbox one controller. Many PC games are designed for these controllers. Hence, the gaming experience has advanced since then. There is a “xinput” input. Only Xbox controllers are capable of providing it to the games.
Now you may be using the controllers with emulators. It might be helping you play older PC games. The gamer can easily configure the emulator. This will help in accepting the buttons pressed in the Controller. Suppose the gamer is using it with a PC game. Here, the gamer would require the game’s control settings. Next, it will configure the game. It will help to respond better to the Controller’s input.
However, certain games might require an Xbox controller. In such a case, it is necessary to emulate an input. This helps in the conversion of the PS4 Controller’s input. They are converted to equivalent Xbox button presses. The games work just fine with a PS4 Controller. This will show similar results as with the Xbox controller.
Sony has not announced the release of any drivers. Hence the PS4 Controllers are available without any drivers. There are tools available for doing input with a PC. However, this method is unofficial. They are mere third-party tools. The gaming community developed the tools for convenience.
There is an Input Mapper program. It is available for free. The gaming community highly recommends this program. This displays the battery level on your Controller. It is helpful mostly for wireless users. This feature usually is unavailable on Windows. The user needs to download this application. Further, install Input Mapper on your PC for the best gaming experience.
After installation, open the app. Now click on the controller shape, “Profiles.” You will find it in the top left corner of the app window. Now click on the option, “new profile.” By default, “emulate virtual controller.” Now, the PS4 Controller will work as an Xbox controller. No other changes in settings will be necessary. Check by opening any PC game. It must preferably support an Xbox controller. It should work just fine.
There are specific in-game prompts. It will tell the user to use Xbox B, A, Y, and X buttons. They are to be used instead of square, circle, triangle, and X buttons. However, the buttons will work as an equivalent to Xbox’s ones. The input emulation works only at certain times.
It does so only when Input Mapper is open. Hence, one must leave this program open. This is a crucial part when playing Xbox games. Suppose you clicked on the settings icon. It will present on the top left of the screen. This will guide you to the “Start with windows” option.
Alongside, you can choose “start minimized.” It starts booting your PC. This will keep running in the background. So, the user can be ready to play. Input Mapper is useful for many other activities. It has a feature called “Trackpad as a mouse.” This allows the gamer to use the Controller’s trackpad as a mouse. One can use it as a mouse for windows.
Other such unique features include color customization. The Input Mapper allows changing the colors of the Controller’s lightbar. Besides, the applications allow the configuration of macros. Download this app to unveil more such features.
But first, pair the Controller to your PS4. Only then can you use it with your console. One can do so using a simple step. Just plug in the Controller to PS4. Make use of the same USB cable on hand. Afterward, you may need to work it with the PC. In that case, the connection must be made using Bluetooth.
This might be a bit of a hassle. But it is highly recommended. This will make your gaming life so much easier. As a gamer, use the gamepad on multiple devices. Isn’t that cool? Go try it out today.
PlayStation 4 Controller vs Xbox Controller
The PS4 DualShock controller has several advantages over the Xbox controller. The Xbox One controller offers only Bluetooth features in its newer models. Unlike Xbox, PS4 Controllers are already equipped with this feature. Hence, there is no necessity for additional hardware.
The PS4 Controller charges automatically. This feature makes this Controller stand out in the market. It allows gamers to play with ease. Just use the micro USB cable to connect to the PC. Then comes its inbuilt trackpad. It takes the role of a Windows mouse. Hence, minimum efforts are needed to surf when playing.
However, PS4 has certain drawbacks. It lacks any official Sony drivers. Hence it has some connectivity issues. It is hard to connect it to all PCs. Therefore, the Xbox One controller wins the point here. If using PS4, the user needs to install third-party apps. Only then can games function properly on Windows.
Both controllers cost approximately the same. The amount revolves somewhere around $60. This would be the price point for brand new controllers. Both controllers have nearly similar features. However, specific pros and cons set them apart. Gamers might get a hard time choosing one over the other. Hence, gamers are recommended to choose wisely.
Concluding
Initially, PS4 Controller was not made for PC. However, it has become a favorite among PC gamers. Hence the gaming community has made developments as per need. It retains the classic PlayStation shape. This also feels great in the hand of gamers. It also helps get the feel of DualShock with a joystick. The triggers suit best for action games and modem shooters.
However, using it is not as easy to use as using an Xbox controller. The PS4 Controller plugging is a bit tricky compared to the Xbox controller. PS4 uses a generic driver. It is “DirectInput.” You can use this instead of the Input input of the Xbox controller. However, certain advantages of the PS4 Controller have made it a crowd favorite.
This article covers how to connect the PS4 Controller to pc. If you love PC gaming, too, make sure to read this article.
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