There are a number of ways to connect a PS4 controller to a PC. In most cases, all you need is a USB cable and an Xbox controller adapter. The adapter plugs into the USB port on your computer and the PS4 controller connects wirelessly via Bluetooth. Some games, like Forza Horizon 4, even support both Xbox controllers and PS4 controllers at the same time. So if you have two controllers lying around, you can use one in each hand to play your favorite game. ..
PS4 Remote Play and PS Now
PC gamers can connect a PlayStation 4 controller to their computer to play PS4 games. This is possible by using an emulator to play older PlayStation games on the PS1, PS2 and PS3. All major emulators for those systems will work just fine with a PlayStation 4 controller connected to a PC. ..
To use the Remote Play application on your PC, you need to first connect your PS4 to your computer using a Bluetooth connection. Then, you can use the controller to play games.
Sony’s new cloud game streaming service, PS Now, is a great way to watch your favorite games without having to leave your PlayStation 4. It supports the PS4 controller connected to a PC, so you can use it as a controller for playing games.
Since Sony’s Playstation and Microsoft’s Xbox are direct competitors, you might expect that Microsoft (or Sony for that matter) have not gone out of their way to integrate DS4 support in Windows. This does actually turn out to be the case, mainly because the PS4 controller doesn’t support something known as “Xinput”.
The Problem of Xinput
Windows 10 supports the PlayStation 4 controller as a standard Bluetooth device. However, there are some steps that need to be taken in order for games to work with it properly. The problem lies with Xinput and Dinput, which are the two main input methods used by games. ..
All Xbox controllers support Xinput, which is the controller standard used by all Xbox games. Any game that supports Xinput will work with any official Xbox controller or any third-party controller that supports Xinput. ..
Windows 10 includes support for Xbox controller input, but many games released since Microsoft integrated Xbox controller support into Windows only support Xinput. Alternatively, they may support Dinput, but have done so as an afterthought. This leaves controllers that use Dinput out of the loop, which can be a problem if those controllers are specific to a game or genre. ..
This article is about a workaround for the PS4 controller not working with Windows games. If you are using a Dinput controller on a PC, there is a workaround that you can use called DS4Windows.
Using DS4Windows To Emulate Xinput
DS4Windows is a third-party utility that allows Windows to think a real Xinput controller has been connected to the machine. This then allows all PS4 controller inputs to be translated to the Xinput standard. This is by far the best solution for using PS4 controllers with modern games. ..
The DS4Windows software is a powerful tool that allows you to control the DS4 more effectively. It also includes features that are not available with other games that support Xinput controllers.
The touchpad can be used to control your mouse pointer in games that may not have full controller support or have some in-game actions that are easier to do with a mouse pointer.
The SixAxis motion sensors in the DS4 controller let you use it to map it to game controls.
The Xbox One’s new light bar lets you customize it to your liking, with color and brightness settings. You can also create multiple configurations profiles and have them trigger when specific games are running.
The features of the DS4 with Windows 10 are impressive, but it is important to use a wired connection when using the device. Bluetooth support can be unreliable and some brands of Bluetooth controllers don’t work well.
It is worth testing out if you absolutely must have wireless support, but let’s look at how to connect a PS4 controller using a cable first.
How To Connect a PS4 Controller To a PC Using A Wired Connection
To use a PS4 controller via USB on a Windows 10 computer, you will need to take a micro USB cable, plug the large plug into the computer’s USB port and plug the small plug into the PS4 controller.
Next, we’ll look at the Bluetooth method, but be warned that your mileage may vary. Especially if you plan to use DS4Windows this way.
How To Connect a PS4 Controller To a PC Using Bluetooth
To connect your PlayStation 4 controller using Bluetooth, you’ll need to first enable it in the PlayStation 4 settings. Once you’ve done that, you can then connect the controller to your computer by using a USB cable.
Now turn on your PS4 and press the Share button. You should see the controller appear in the list of devices. Select it and press OK. Now go to Settings > System > Devices and select Bluetooth. On the right-hand side, under “Pair with this device,” select PS4 controller. If everything goes according to plan, you’ll now be able to use your PS4 controller with other Bluetooth-enabled devices. ..
- Open the Start Menu and search for Bluetooth.
- Click on Bluetooth and Other Device Settings.
- On the left side of the window, click on the name of your device to open its settings.
- On the right side of the window, under “Bluetooth Settings,” click on “Advanced.”
- Under “Advanced,” click on “Scan for Devices.”
- If your device is not listed in the list, you will need to install it first by following its instructions or by searching for it online. Once your device is installed, scan for it and click on it to open its settings. ..
Now click the big plus icon next to Add Bluetooth or other device.
You’ll now see a list of available devices. The PS4 controller should be able to be connected to your computer wirelessly.
The controller should now work with your PC.
A Second-class Citizen?
There are a number of great options for using a DS4 on a modern Windows system. Xinput controllers work well, and you don’t need to spend money on an expensive first-party controller from Microsoft.
With DS4Windows, it’s possible to get most things working, but if at all possible, consider buying an Xbox controller instead. You’ll spend much less time fiddling with settings and more time actually playing your games.
If you don’t mind not having prompts and a few extra layers of configuration to wade through, you can use your existing PS4 controller on your computer and still have a good time. The beauty of it all is that the choice is yours!
