The DualSense controllers for the PlayStation 5 are a huge upgrade from the DualShock 4, so does the PS5 controller work on PS4? The DualShock 4 was the official controller for the PS4 throughout its run, but the DualShock line as a whole has come to an end, at least during this console generation, as Sony is pushing the DualSense controller as a major innovation in the current console generation.
The DualSense is packed with features that aren't present in the DualShock 4. Features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback help bring immersion to a whole new level. The Xbox Series X/S controllers are nowhere near as impressive in terms of function and they only have minor upgrades by comparison. Microsoft has at least been clear that Xbox controllers are backward and forward compatible, allowing players to use Xbox One controllers on Xbox Series X/S, and vice versa. It wasn't as clear in the run-up to the PS5 launch whether the Dualsense works on PS4.
The PS5 is backward compatible with most PS4 games. It's easy enough to connect a DualShock 4 to the system in order to play PS4 games. The people who love couch co-op or party games on PlayStation systems should think about keeping hold of their spare DualShock 4 controllers for this reason. This raises the question of whether the opposite is true and if the DualSense can be connected to the PS4, however. Does the PS5 controller work on PS4?
Does The PS5 DualSense Work With PlayStation 4 In Remote Play?
Unfortunately, the DualSense isn't compatible with the PS4. On the surface, it might seem like Sony wants fans to buy more DualShocks, instead of using any DualSenses they might have lying around, in cases when there are households with multiple consoles. However, there's another reason for the lack of compatibility. The DualSense works perfectly with the PS3, for instance, as that system works with a number of different Bluetooth controllers. The PS4 and DualShock were designed to be proprietary so that the system only recognized specific types of controllers, which is why the PS4 cannot recognize the PS5's DualSense. This trait is unique to the PS4, as the Dualsense can work on PC through Bluetooth connectivity, and there are adapters on the market for using one with the Nintendo Switch.
It's a shame that there isn't full compatibility between the controllers of the PS4 and PS5, as the ongoing console shortages of the latter mean that people might end up keeping their old system (and its associated controllers) when they finally get the chance to upgrade. The PS5 controller doesn't work on PS4, but there is one roundabout way of using the DualSense on PS4, however, and it involves the Remote Play function of the system. It's possible to connect the DualSense to a PC or smart device and stream PS4 games on those systems. The major caveat to this method is that it requires a stable high-speed internet connection to function. PlayStation fans without sufficient internet speed cannot use the PS5's DualSense controller on PS4.