Gaming on an iPhone can be pretty cool. That is, until you have to deal with the annoying cramped-up feeling that the onscreen controls have to offer. Like come on, with the screen-space being so limited as it is, no one wants to mess it up even more by using the on-screen controls for the game. That’s just counterproductive.
Luckily for us, there is a rather interesting solution for this, thanks to the Apple/Sony overlords - pairing your PS5 controller with your iPhone/iPad. And we’re here to talk about precisely that. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the surprisingly simple steps of connecting your PS5 controller to your Apple devices. Let’s dive in.
Connecting Your PS5 Controller To iOS
The whole process is rather simple, so we don’t need to beat around the bush all that much for this one. Let’s break it down into three easy-to-follow parts.
There are two things you need to look out for before proceeding with this.
- You have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.5 or later.
Prepping The DualSense controller
PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller
The DualSense is the official controller for the PlayStation 5 by Sony, sporting advanced haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, built-in microphone and headset jack, speaker, and responsive touch panel.
Prepping The iPhone/iPad
Pairing Your PS5 Controller
Want to take a break from gaming? You can easily disconnect your DualSense controller. Simply press and hold the PS button to manually turn off the controller. Alternatively, you can also turn off Bluetooth on your iOS device to sever the connection!
Controller Not Appearing in Bluetooth List
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022)
The 12.9" Apple iPad Pro delivers lightning fast performance with the new M2 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina XDR display, all-day battery, advanced cameras, Thunderbolt ports, and 5G connectivity for the ultimate portable productivity and creativity.
FAQ
Does the PS5 controller work the same on the iPhone and iPad?
Yep, the whole process/experience of using a DualSense controller is almost identical on an iPhone versus an iPad. The connection rules, pairing process, it’s all the same and doesn’t really matter what device it is, as long as you have got it running iOS 14.5 or later.
How long does a PS5 controller last on one charge when connected to an iPhone?
Roughly speaking, you can expect to get 10–12 hours of gameplay out of your controller on a single charge when it is connected to an iPhone or iPad. However, the battery may drain slightly faster if games you’re playing make good use of the intense haptic feedback.
Can I use a PS5 controller with game streaming services on iOS like Xbox Cloud Gaming?
Absolutely! Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia, Steam Link, all support pairing a DualSense just like you would natively on the iPhone or iPad. So, even when streaming games, you’re able to enjoy the precise input and natural feel of the PS5 controller.
