The PS5 DualSense is likely one of the Sony console’s biggest strengths, so why not use the PS5 controller on PC, too? We predict it is among the finest PC controllers (opens in new tab) due to its superior haptic motors and ‘adaptive’ triggers, which make it really feel like no different controller I’ve used earlier than—at the very least when taking part in PS5 video games that take full benefit of it. The DualSense is simple to make use of on PC, and a few Sony recreation ports really convey these superior options to life on PC.
They usually’re not alone: another PC video games, corresponding to Deathloop, Metro Exodus and Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, additionally faucet into the DualSense’s particular options. Due to Steam, we are able to simply use the DualSense controller in just about any PC recreation with out fussy setup. It simply works.
This is a fast information on use the PS5 DualSense controller on PC, through both wired USB or a wi-fi Bluetooth connection.
Connecting: Wired or Bluetooth
How do I exploit DualSense controller on PC?
Wired
This a part of setup is a snap. To attach the controller to your PC through USB, you are going to want a USB Kind-C to USB-A cable on your PC (or a USB Kind-C to Kind-C cable should you occur to have a handy port obtainable). Whereas the PlayStation 5 console comes with one packed in, the DualSense offered by itself does not. Bummer! Get your arms on a cable, plug it in, and also you’re in your manner.
If you must purchase a cable, this is a two-pack from Anker for $11 (opens in new tab).
Bluetooth
To make use of the DualSense through Bluetooth, you will want a USB Bluetooth adapter (or a motherboard with Bluetooth built-in). To get related, open the Bluetooth & different units menu in Home windows by urgent the Home windows key and typing ‘Bluetooth.’ Then click on ‘Add Bluetooth or different system’ and the primary merchandise on the following menu that claims ‘Bluetooth.’ Your PC will begin looking for obtainable units.
On the DualSense, maintain down the PlayStation emblem button and the Share button (the small one to the left of the touchpad) till the LEDs across the touchpad start flashing quickly. Inside a number of seconds, ‘Wi-fi controller’ ought to pop up in your Bluetooth units checklist to hook up with. Simply click on on it to complete pairing.
If you happen to want a Bluetooth adapter, you may get a 5.0 mannequin for lower than $20 (opens in new tab).
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The DualSense will now be accessible in Home windows with its DirectInput driver, which some video games will acknowledge and allow you to rebind controls. However many PC video games at the moment are constructed round Microsoft’s newer XInput driver for the Xbox controllers, so the DualSense shall be fairly restricted with out some assist.
That is the place Steam is available in.
Steam setup
How do I setup the DualSense controller in Steam?
Steam added preliminary assist for the DualSense again in November 2020, and has improved assist for it since then. Utilizing Steam is by far the best approach to get your DualSense engaged on PC, even if you wish to use it in non-Steam video games.
To start out, join the DualSense to your PC through wire or Bluetooth as described above. After you have it related, open Steam and launch Massive Image Mode. You need to see the DualSense is now acknowledged and listed as a PlayStation 5 controller. Steam will routinely configure the keybinds to imitate an Xbox controller format; the Triangle button is Y, the Sq. button is X, and so forth.
You possibly can select Calibrate to tweak the joystick sensitivity, and Preferences to offer the controller a reputation, allow/disable rumble, and configure the colour and brightness of the LED strip across the touchpad.
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One necessary tip right here: make certain PlayStation Configuration Assist is checked if you wish to customise your DualSense controller’s format or gyro controls. With this button checked, you may press the PlayStation emblem button on the controller in any Steam recreation to drag up Steam’s controller configuration display screen.
Reminder: the controller configurator is barely obtainable by Steam Massive Image mode.
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From this display screen you may swap button bindings, change how the touchpad works (it will possibly do separate left- and right-clicks) and in addition configure the gyroscope, if you wish to use gyro aiming. You can even configure Motion Units and Motion Layers (opens in new tab) to allow completely completely different button bindings after which swap to them on the fly in-game. For instance, should you solely needed to make use of gyro controls whereas in a aircraft in GTA, you can create an Motion Set for that and set off it by urgent a particular key anytime you hop in a aircraft.
If you happen to simply need your DualSense to work like all ol’ gamepad, although, you may go away this display screen alone, no tweaking required.
Non-Steam video games
How do I exploit the DualSense controller with non-Steam video games?
If you wish to use the DualSense in a recreation that you just personal on, say, the Epic Video games Retailer, there is a answer that ought to work for absolutely anything, even emulators. The simple approach to do it: Convey Steam again into the image. Steam has an ‘Add to library’ characteristic for Home windows executables that permits you to add different applications to your Steam library, after which make use of the Steam overlay.
As you may see within the picture above, click on the ‘Video games’ menu in Steam, then select the ‘Add a Non-Steam recreation to my library…’ possibility to drag up a listing of applications in your PC. Usually, this could can help you add a recreation and use a controller with Steam performing because the middleman.
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DS4Windows is an alternative choice
If you happen to choose to configure the DualSense for non-Steam video games with out including these video games to your Steam library, fantastic group software DS4Windows (opens in new tab) added DualSense assist. (Should not or not it’s DS5Windows? Hm, that does not sound fairly nearly as good).
To make use of it, join your controller to PC through USB or Bluetooth as defined above with DS4Windows open, and you need to then have the ability to customise your keybinds, change the LED and monitor the controller’s battery stage. DS4Windows will allow you to use the DualSense in any PC recreation with Xbox controller assist.
PC recreation assist
What video games use the DualSense controller’s options on PC?
You will not have to make use of Steam to make the DualSense work in all video games. In Home windows the DualSense makes use of the generic DirectInput driver, which some video games assist out of the field. However most video games at the moment use Microsoft’s newer XInput driver, which is the place Steam Enter actually turns out to be useful. PCGamingWiki retains a listing of video games that use the DualSense options, however listed below are some highlights that assist each Adaptive Triggers and haptic suggestions:
- Marvel’s Spider-Man
- Metro Exodus Enhanced Version
- Deathloop
- Closing Fantasy 7 Remake
- Murderer’s Creed Valhalla
- Genshin Affect
- Demise Stranding
- F1 22
- Ghostwire: Tokyo