The play controller that come with yourPlayStation 5,Xbox Series XorXbox Series Scan do three-fold - duty on other machine , too . This mean you could take advantage of your next - gen controller ’s bioengineering and adaptability to play games on your estimator , your smartphone , your tablet , and other devices , too . Here ’s how to set it up .
Your two choices for do connection are telegraph via USB or wireless via Bluetooth . The first one is pretty ego - explanatory , but for the second one you ’re travel to need to do some elementary Bluetooth pairing to get everything working together . There are some differences between devices , but on the whole the pairing outgrowth are all very similar .
On the DualSense Wireless Controller than comes with the PS5 , military press and hold the PS5 push ( between the analogue sticks ) and the Create button ( to the left of the trackpad ) for several indorsement to enrol Bluetooth copulate modality . The arena around the trackpad will originate swank blue when you ’ve done it successfully .

Image:Aditya Rathod/Unsplash
On the Xbox Wireless Controller , there ’s a dedicated pairing push button on the top , just next to the USB - nose candy interface . If you press and hold this , after a few seconds you ’ll see the Xbox button bug out to flash , which bespeak that the accountant is in pairing mood . you may then complete the process on the other equipment .
Connecting a Controller to Your Computer
For connect to Windows and macOS , your best wager in term of stability and convenience is a USB cable length . Plug one end into the USB - C port on the DualSense or Xbox controller , and the other end into your desktop or laptop . The cable you ’re go to need will depend on whether your computer has USB - A or USB - C porthole — just pick the cable that fits ( or buy an adaptor as well as a cable ) .
Both Windows and macOS should mechanically find the restrainer once it ’s plugged in , whether you ’re using the Sony or the Microsoft one . There ’s no surplus software or specific drivers that you want to install , though of course not all the applications on your information processing system are going to be able to work with the gamepad you ’ve just soak up .
If you prefer the wireless exemption of Bluetooth , you need to do some pairing first . From configurations in Windows , head to machine , then pick Bluetooth & other devices and tote up Bluetooth or other machine to start depend for your console controller . From System Preferences in macOS , choose Bluetooth to start the joining procedure . If your controller is in pairing musical mode , it should show up in the list of gadget you’re able to connect to .

Screenshot: Windows
As we ’ve said , gamepad accompaniment is lead to vary between covering and game . A lot of titles running on the Steam political platform offer sustenance for PS5 and Xbox Series X / S controllers . From Steam , select Steam , then options ( Windows ) or Preferences ( macOS ) , and Controller to configure the twist ( there will be separate place setting inside case-by-case games , too ) .
Connecting a Controller to Your Phone or Tablet
For touch base either the DualSense Wireless Controller or the Xbox Wireless Controller to your sound or tablet , you ’re choke to need to go wireless and rely on Bluetooth connectivity . This will get your gamepad join , although it ’s up to individual apps and games whether they acknowledge and support the input machine .
On Android , head to Connected devices then couple new gimmick to look for your console table controller . Once it ’s been paired , you could bug the sprocket ikon to the right of it on the same screen to manage a circumscribed number of configurations , and to remove the input gadget if you no longer call for to keep it connect .
The process is similar on Io and iPadOS . From preferences , choose Bluetooth and your Apple equipment will begin reckon for your controller , which you ’ll want to put in pairing mode . If you want to remove a gadget from the list in future , bug the grim info icon to the rightfulness , then select Forget This gadget .

Screenshot: Android
You ’ll need Bluetooth enabled on your phone or tablet to maintain the connection . If you ’re having problems pilfer up the two devices , turn Bluetooth off and on again might be enough to solve them . You should also make indisputable you ’re running the late version of Android , iOS , or iPadOS to minimize compatibility issuing .
Connecting a Controller to Other Devices
A diversity of other devices can accept input from PS5 and Xbox Series X / S controllers , including dress - top streaming box seat such as the Apple TV . From configurations on the Apple TV , pick out Remotes and Devices and then Bluetooth to establish the contact — your controller should show up if it ’s in geminate style . Once connected , you should be able to use the gamepad to navigate your Apple TV as well as playsupported game .
Then there ’s theNvidia Shield TVdevices , which are splendid gaming boxes as well as persist all the rain buckets apps you ’re probable to need . From setting you demand to pick Remote & Accessories and then Add accessory to pop a scan for nearby Bluetooth devices . Once your controller is in pair mode , it ’ll appear in the listing so that you could select it . Currently , there ’s no support for plugging your controller directly into the Nvidia Shield TV with a USB cablegram .
Those of you with an Amazon Fire boob tube gimmick can join a PS5 or Xbox Series X / S gamepad for well control of your games by going to preferences and choose Remotes & Bluetooth Devices , Game Controllers , and Add New Game Controller . That will start the Bluetooth pairing process . As with all of these devices , compatibility with individual apps and games can diverge .

Screenshot: Nvidia Shield TV
As we mentioned with phones and tablet , Bluetooth does n’t play nicely all of the time , and a organisation restart or a controller restart might be necessary to get everything working properly again . Make certain you keep your well out box updated with the latest software as well , because accompaniment for third - party comptroller is being complicate and ameliorate on afairly regular basis .
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