Yes, a PS4 DualShock 4 controller can work on a PS5 when you play a supported PS4 game. It cannot be used as the normal local controller for native PS5 games, which require a supported PS5 controller such as DualSense.
01The game version decides compatibility
The most useful question is not simply whether the controller connects. It is whether the game you are launching is the PS4 edition or the native PS5 edition. A controller can be paired to the console yet still be rejected by a particular game.
For a title sold in both versions, inspect the platform label in your library. Launching the PS4 edition through backward compatibility is different from launching its PS5 upgrade. Similar artwork can hide that distinction, especially if both editions are installed.
| Controller and software | Expected result |
|---|---|
| DualShock 4 + supported PS4 game on PS5 | Supported |
| DualShock 4 + native PS5 game locally | Not supported as the standard game controller |
| DualSense + supported PS4 game on PS5 | Supported |
| Third-party PS4 controller | Check official licensing and specific compatibility |
Sony’s backward compatibility guidance distinguishes PS4-game controller support from PS5-game requirements. That rule matters more than whether a cable physically fits.
02Pair the DualShock 4 before opening the game
Connect the DualShock 4 to the PS5 with a suitable USB cable, then press the PS button and select the user when prompted. Use a cable that carries data as well as power; a cable that merely charges the battery may not establish the connection you need.
Once pairing succeeds, open a supported PS4 game and check whether the controller responds there. Testing in a native PS5 game first can make a perfectly working controller look broken. I would confirm compatibility before resetting the controller or buying another cable.
If it does not pair, try another known data-capable cable and USB port. Charge the controller if necessary, and make sure another nearby console is not the device you are inadvertently turning on. Follow the controller’s official reset procedure only after the simpler connection checks fail.
If you later move the controller back to a PS4, it may need to be paired with that console again. Re-pairing to another device is different from a permanent fault or a loss of compatibility.
03Use it for PS4 local multiplayer, with the right edition
A spare DualShock 4 can be useful for a supported PS4 local multiplayer game running on PS5. The game must itself support the number of local players you want; owning several controllers does not add split-screen or couch co-op to a game that lacks it.
For a household that already owns PS4 controllers, I would check the game edition before buying extra DualSense controllers. If the planned evening is entirely within compatible PS4 games, the older controllers may already cover the need. If the game is a native PS5 release, plan for supported PS5 controllers.
This distinction also applies when a publisher offers a free or paid upgrade. Installing the newer edition can change which controller you need, even though the story or game name remains familiar. Decide which edition serves the session rather than assuming the upgrade preserves every accessory choice.
04Specialist accessories are a separate category
Licensed racing wheels, arcade sticks, and other specialist peripherals can have their own support rules. They should not be treated as proof that an ordinary DualShock 4 can control every PS5 game. Check the accessory manufacturer’s compatibility information and the game’s support for that device.
Similarly, a third-party controller described as “for PS4” is not enough information. Licensing, firmware, connection method, and the exact software can affect support. I would look for explicit compatibility for the intended game and console rather than rely on a marketplace title.
Adapters and remote-play arrangements are different workflows from direct native support. They can introduce extra requirements or trade-offs, so I would not buy one on the assumption that it provides unrestricted PS5 controller compatibility.
05Diagnose the symptom before replacing hardware
Pairs, but the game rejects it
Check whether the game is the PS5 edition. Pairing alone does not establish game compatibility.
Charges, but will not pair
Try a known USB data cable. Charging demonstrates power delivery, not a working data connection.
Works in one game only
Compare the games’ platform versions and controller requirements.
Second player cannot join
Check the game’s local multiplayer support and user-selection steps.
After each change, repeat the same simple test in a supported PS4 game. A successful response there tells you that the basic connection works and keeps the next investigation focused.
My recommendation is to keep a functioning DualShock 4 for the PS4 games it supports, while using DualSense for native PS5 software. That makes use of existing hardware without expecting it to do a job Sony does not support.