Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Summer Preview
  • Prime Day deals
  • New Games 2026
  • Best gaming tech
  • GTA 6
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Hardware
  2. Gaming Controllers
  3. PS5

PS5 DualSense controller works on PS3

News
By Demi Williams published 2 November 2020

However, don't expect it to work on PS4

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

PS5 controller, AKA DualSense
(Image credit: Sony)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

It seems that the PS5 DualSense controller works very well with PS3 consoles, but not with the PS4.

A YouTuber by the name of MidnightMan has demonstrated how the PS5 DualSense works when paired with the two old Sony consoles, which you can watch below. 

The video shows a series of ways MidnightMan attempted to connect the controller, such as using the traditional way of plugging in a cable, but the DualSense failed to connect to the PS4. He then tried connecting the controller via Bluetooth and although the DualSense did register as a ‘wireless controller’ in the PS4’s Bluetooth devices menu, the controller wasn’t functional. 

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

MidnightMan attempted the Remote Play method using a number of devices. First he tried connecting his PS5 controller to his iPad and iPhone, but was unable to find a Bluetooth connection with both devices. On Windows, he was able to at least find the device, but was unable to connect to it successfully and on MacBook, it connected via Bluetooth, but was not functional. Midnight Man also demonstrated that the PS4 DualShock controller does work on all of the devices to confirm it wasn’t a tech issue. 

Finally, he directly connected the DualSense controller to his PC using the cable, and then connected via Remote Play. The attempt was successful, but the connection was bad and he claims that the DualSense is not the most consumer-friendly controller, as you cannot connect to a PS4 natively. 

You may like
  • Blue and purple DualShock 4 controller on a wooden table Rising prices mean the DualShock 4 is back on the menu, and looking pretty tasty
  • PS5 accessories on a table, including two DualSense controllers, a charging station and a headset The best PS5 accessories in 2025: everything you need to upgrade your experience
  • Official image of the 007 First Light DualSense controller with the 007 logo behind it. The 007 First Light DualSense has the license to kill my future excitement for all limited edition PS5 controllers

Strangely, when the DualSense controller is connected to a legacy PS3, the connection is successful immediately. It makes you wonder how it’s possible for a next-gen controller to register with a PS3 but not a PS4, when the PS3 is over a decade old at this point. The DualSense has also been shown to register with a Nintendo Switch, as demonstrated in a Twitter video, as long as you have a third-party 8bitdo adapter. 

The PS5 release date is November 12 (US) and November 19 (UK) and will come with a DualSense controller included.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

For all things PlayStation, check out everything we know about PS5 backwards compatibility. 

Demi Williams
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Demi is a freelance video games journalist with a particular love for Final Fantasy. She's written for GamesRadar, NME, TheGamer, and Gamespot in recent years.

Read more
Blue and purple DualShock 4 controller on a wooden table
Gaming Controllers Rising prices mean the DualShock 4 is back on the menu, and looking pretty tasty
 
 
PS5 accessories on a table, including two DualSense controllers, a charging station and a headset
Tech The best PS5 accessories in 2025: everything you need to upgrade your experience
 
 
Official image of the 007 First Light DualSense controller with the 007 logo behind it.
Gaming Controllers The 007 First Light DualSense has the license to kill my future excitement for all limited edition PS5 controllers
 
 
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Games The best PS3 emulator is getting massive improvements on PC handhelds
 
 
Kratos in front of a sailboat in God of War: Ascension
Games PS3 emulation may not be viable until PS6, and Xbox Project Helix might even do it first
 
 
Image of the official Marathon DualSense controller on a light green GamesRadar+ background.
Gaming Controllers If you want a 007 First Light controller palate cleanser, the limited edition Marathon DualSense just received a rare discount
 
 
Latest in Gaming Controllers
An angled photo of six pro controllers on a gaming desk
Gaming Controllers I've been reviewing gaming controllers for years; these are my top-tested ones to look out for this Prime Day
 
 
DualSense Edge controller
Gaming Controllers Pro PS5 controllers are great, but I'm a solo adventurer and I need my adaptive triggers
 
 
Blue and purple DualShock 4 controller on a wooden table
Gaming Controllers Rising prices mean the DualShock 4 is back on the menu, and looking pretty tasty
 
 
Beitong Pangu controller surrounded by modular component options on a dark red background
Gaming Controllers This modular controller is being called "Lego for gamers" with just about every piece being swappable
 
 
An 8BitDo Ultimate 3E controller being picked up from its charging stand
Gaming Controllers 8BitDo opens up pre-orders for its new Ultimate 3E controller, which refines one of this brand's most beloved peripherals for Xbox players - just brace yourself for the price
 
 
A side by side of the same reviewer holding the Steam controller and holding the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K
Gaming Controllers Here are the best Steam Controller alternatives to go for this Memorial Day
 
 
Latest in News
God of War Laufey trailer screenshots
God of War God of War Laufey's Faye allowed Sony Santa Monica to merge the series' old and new eras, says lead
 
 
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
Final Fantasy After Final Fantasy 7 Revelation wraps up, the remake's director wants to work on another JRPG
 
 
Palworld 1.0 cinematic trailer screenshot shows a woman with red hair holding a Pal Sphere.
Survival Games Palworld 1.0 is "bigger in scale than any update" yet, but Pokemon-style evolutions still aren't coming
 
 
Lara Croft explores a snowy mountain in Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and walks towards a wooden bridge
Tomb Raider Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis brings back the separate difficulty options from Shadow of the Tomb Raider
 
 
Path of Exile 2
Action RPGs Path of Exile 2 director says Temple farmers ruined his Christmas and "destroyed" him
 
 
Posing with a rifle in the Fallout 76 Ghoul update
The Elder Scrolls New Xbox CEO reportedly pushing for faster Fallout and Elder Scrolls games
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. My Adventures with Superman season 3
    1
    My Adventures with Superman is what James Gunn's DCU should be
  2. 2
    X-Men '97 season 2 review: "Proves why the mutants are cooler than the Avengers"
  3. 3
    God of War Laufey's Faye allowed Sony Santa Monica to merge the series' old and new eras, says lead
  4. 4
    After Final Fantasy 7 Revelation wraps up, the remake's director wants to work on another JRPG
  5. 5
    Palworld 1.0 is "bigger in scale than any update" yet, but Pokemon-style evolutions still aren't coming

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...