How to Pair a DualSense Controller to iPhone or iPad

You can pair a PS5 DualSense controller with your iPhone or iPad over Bluetooth, without a special adapter.

If touch controls feel cramped, the controller can make supported games more comfortable, especially when timing, camera movement, or button placement matters.

🎮 Check your iPhone or iPad before pairing

Your iPhone needs iOS 14.5 or newer, and your iPad needs iPadOS 14.5 or newer. PlayStation says those versions support DualSense connections over Bluetooth and USB; the steps below cover Bluetooth.

Open Settings > General > About to check your software version. If it is below the requirement, update first if your device supports the update.

Some DualSense features may not work as they do on a PS5. PlayStation says feature support varies by device and game. On iPhone and iPad, the controller mainly serves as a Bluetooth gamepad.

🔵 Put the DualSense in pairing mode

1. Start with the controller turned off. If it is connected to your PS5, hold the PS button until its lights turn off. Putting the console into rest mode usually turns the controller off too.
2. Press and hold the Create button and PS button together until the light bar flashes. Apple’s support instructions use this button combination to enter pairing mode.

Use the Create button on DualSense. Instructions that mention a Share button refer to the DualShock 4.

📱 Connect the controller to your iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
2. Look under Other Devices for DualSense Wireless Controller or a similar name.
3. Tap the controller’s name to connect. Its blinking light should stop once the connection is ready.
4. Open a game with controller support and test the controls.

🧩 Fix a controller that will not appear or connect

If the controller does not appear in Bluetooth settings, try these checks:

• Charge the controller for a few minutes.
• Unplug any USB cable from the controller.
• Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
• Hold the PS button to turn the controller off, then try pairing again.
• Make sure the controller is not still connected to your PS5.
• Restart your iPhone or iPad if Bluetooth still behaves strangely.

If the controller paired before but will not reconnect, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to its name, and choose Forget This Device. Put the controller back into pairing mode and connect it again.

🔋 Disconnect or turn off the controller

When you finish gaming, you can hold the PS button until the controller turns off to avoid wasting its battery.

To disconnect through your iPhone or iPad instead, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to the controller, and tap Disconnect.

Choose Forget This Device if you want to remove the pairing completely. You will need to pair the controller again before using it later.

🎯 Choose a game with controller support

Pairing gets the controller connected; the game or app still needs to support it. PlayStation says DualSense can control compatible games and apps once connected.

The setup is useful for gaming away from your PS5, including:

• Console-style mobile games with controller support.
• Cloud gaming apps that support controllers.
• PS Remote Play.
• Apple Arcade games with controller support.

Touch controls are fine for quick games, but familiar sticks and buttons can help when the touchscreen feels awkward. If you already own a DualSense, pairing it gives you another way to use it for mobile gaming.

Which iPhone or iPad game are you trying with a controller first?