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A PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 or PS5 DualSense controller can work with Xbox Game Pass games on a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. The important distinction is that the Xbox app does not provide controller compatibility itself. Each game decides which controller input it accepts.
If a game supports PlayStation controllers natively, you may only need to connect the controller. For the broadest compatibility, use DS4Windows to make Windows present the PlayStation controller as an Xbox 360 controller. That works with the XInput interface used by most PC games.
What you need
- A PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 or PS5 DualSense
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
- The Xbox app and an installed PC Game Pass game
- A USB data cable or a Bluetooth adapter
Use USB first if you are troubleshooting. It avoids Bluetooth pairing, battery, and wireless-interference problems.
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PS5 DualSense
Connect the DualSense to the PC with a USB-C cable. The cable must support data. A charge-only cable can light up or charge the controller without allowing Windows to detect it.
#1 Best Overall
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
PS4 DUALSHOCK 4
Connect the controller with a micro-USB data cable. Sony’s DUALSHOCK 4 USB Wireless Adaptor is another supported PC connection option, although a normal wired connection is usually easier to test.
2. Pair the controller through Bluetooth
Pair a PS5 DualSense in Windows 11
- Turn off the controller. If the light is on, hold the PS button until it turns off.
- Disconnect the USB cable.
- Hold the Create button and the PS button together until the light bar starts flashing.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth and select Add device > Bluetooth.
- Select the DualSense from the list and complete pairing.
Pair a PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 in Windows 11
- Turn off the controller and disconnect its USB cable.
- Hold SHARE and PS together until the light bar flashes.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Add device > Bluetooth.
- Choose the controller from the available devices.
On Windows 10, use Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
If the controller keeps reconnecting to a PlayStation console or another device, turn Bluetooth off on that device before trying to pair again.
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- Press Windows key + R.
- Type
joy.cpland press Enter. - Look for the controller in the Game Controllers window.
If it does not appear, the Xbox app is not the problem yet. Check the USB cable, Bluetooth pairing, controller battery, Windows Bluetooth settings, or the controller itself.
4. Use DS4Windows for games that do not recognize it
Many Windows games support controllers through Microsoft’s XInput system. A PlayStation controller connected directly may instead appear as a generic HID controller, which some games ignore.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
DS4Windows solves this by creating a virtual Xbox 360 controller from the input of the physical PS4 or PS5 controller. The game then receives the Xbox-style input it expects.
Install DS4Windows
- Download the current build from the official DS4Windows project release page. Avoid the obsolete Jays2Kings v1.4.52 package and the archived Ryochan7 v3.3.3 build.
- Extract the download to a normal user folder such as Documents, Downloads, or the Desktop. Do not place it inside Program Files.
- Run
DS4Windows.exe. - Choose the AppData folder when DS4Windows asks where to store its settings.
- Install ViGEmBus when prompted. This driver is needed to create the virtual Xbox controller.
- Install and configure HidHide when prompted. It prevents games from seeing both the real PlayStation controller and the virtual Xbox controller.
- Connect or pair the PS4 or PS5 controller.
- Open the Controllers tab and confirm that DS4Windows detects it.
- Leave the default profile selected. Its output mode should be Xbox 360.
When the default profile is active, DS4Windows should create a virtual Xbox 360 controller automatically.
Confirm the virtual controller
Open joy.cpl again. You should see an Xbox 360 controller, or another virtual Xbox controller entry, in addition to—or instead of—the physical PlayStation controller. This confirms that emulation is working.
5. Hide the physical controller to prevent double input
Without controller hiding, a game can receive input from both devices:
- The physical DUALSHOCK 4 or DualSense
- The virtual Xbox controller created by DS4Windows
Common symptoms include menus moving twice, two player slots being assigned, buttons triggering multiple actions, or a character and camera moving uncontrollably.
Rank #3
- Feel you in-game actions and environement simulated through haptic feedback
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
HidHide is the recommended fix. It hides the physical controller from games while allowing DS4Windows to read it and expose the virtual controller.
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- Allow DS4Windows to access the hidden physical controller.
- Make sure the game can see the virtual Xbox controller.
- Close the HidHide Configuration Client before starting DS4Windows. Leaving the client open can interfere with DS4Windows’ hiding check.
- Close Steam Input, reWASD, InputMapper, and other controller-mapping software.
6. Launch the Game Pass game
- Start DS4Windows and confirm that the controller is detected.
- Open the Xbox app for Windows.
- Open My Library or the installed-games section.
- Select the Game Pass game and choose Play.
With Xbox 360 emulation enabled, the game will normally show A, B, X, and Y prompts. That is expected because the game is receiving Xbox-style XInput, even though you are holding a PlayStation controller.
When you should not use DS4Windows
Some Game Pass PC games support the DualSense or DUALSHOCK 4 directly. In that situation, test the controller without DS4Windows first. Native support may provide PlayStation button prompts or features that emulation cannot reproduce.
Use native support when:
- The game detects the controller immediately.
- The game displays PlayStation button icons.
- You want game-specific DualSense features.
- DS4Windows causes duplicate input or another conflict.
Native compatibility is game-specific. Connecting a DualSense to Windows does not guarantee that every Xbox app title supports it.
DualSense feature limitations on PC
When a game supports DualSense features, Sony states that haptic feedback on PC requires a USB connection. Adaptive triggers also require support from the game. The built-in microphone, speaker, and headset jack have additional support and connection requirements.
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Rank #4
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Therefore, Bluetooth may provide normal button and stick input while omitting haptics, adaptive triggers, or headset audio.
DUALSHOCK 4 Bluetooth limitations
Sony lists several limitations for the DUALSHOCK 4 over Bluetooth on compatible non-PlayStation devices: the touchpad, rumble, motion sensing, light-bar color controls, and headphone-jack audio may not be available.
Can Steam Input be used instead?
Steam Input can translate PlayStation-controller input for a non-Steam game, but Steam generally needs to launch the game so it can intercept the input. It is not a background solution for every Xbox app or Microsoft Store game.
To try it, open Steam and select Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…. Select the game executable if Steam can access it, then launch the game through Steam.
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This often fails with Xbox app installations because the game executable may not be exposed normally. Launchers, administrator permissions, anti-cheat systems, and games without Steam Overlay support can also prevent Steam Input from working. DS4Windows is usually the more direct option because its virtual Xbox controller is visible system-wide.
Best Value
- Bring gaming worlds to life, Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Find your voice, share your passion, chat online with the built in microphone (Available when feature is supported by game)
- Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Multi-device connectivity, connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices
Fix common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows sees the controller, but the game does nothing | The game accepts XInput but not native PlayStation input | Run DS4Windows and use the Xbox 360 output profile. |
| DS4Windows does not detect the controller | Bad cable, incorrect pairing, HidHide configuration, or an old driver | Try a data cable, remove and re-pair Bluetooth, check Settings > Device options, and remove old DS4Windows or HidGuardian installations. |
| The game detects two controllers | The physical and virtual controllers are both visible | Configure HidHide and close Steam Input and other mapper programs. |
| DualSense works through USB but not Bluetooth | Stale pairing, incorrect pairing mode, low battery, or Bluetooth-driver trouble | Remove the controller in Settings > Bluetooth & devices, then pair it again. Use USB for features that require a wired connection. |
| Rumble does not work | Bluetooth or native-feature limitations | Use USB for supported DualSense haptics. DUALSHOCK 4 rumble is not supported over Bluetooth on compatible non-PlayStation devices. |
| The game worked until an update | DS4Windows, ViGEmBus, another mapper, or anti-cheat changed behavior | Confirm DS4Windows is running, check ViGEmBus, close other mappers, and test whether the updated game blocks virtual controllers. |
Recommended setup
- Connect the controller by USB.
- Install the current official DS4Windows build.
- Install ViGEmBus and configure HidHide.
- Leave the output profile set to Xbox 360.
- Verify the virtual controller in
joy.cpl. - Close Steam and other controller utilities.
- Launch the game from the Xbox app.
This setup provides the highest compatibility, but it will usually produce Xbox button prompts. To get PlayStation prompts or advanced DualSense features, use the game’s native controller support instead—if the game provides it.
FAQ
Can I use a PS4 controller with Xbox Game Pass PC games?
Yes. Connect the DUALSHOCK 4 through USB or Bluetooth. If a particular game does not detect it, use DS4Windows with Xbox 360 emulation.
Can I use a PS5 DualSense controller with PC Game Pass?
Yes. Windows supports USB and Bluetooth connections, but game support varies. DS4Windows provides the broadest compatibility by presenting the DualSense as a virtual Xbox 360 controller.
Why does my PlayStation controller show Xbox buttons in the game?
When DS4Windows uses Xbox 360 emulation, the game receives XInput and normally displays A, B, X, and Y prompts. This does not mean the controller is malfunctioning.
Do I need DS4Windows for every Game Pass game?
No. Games with native PlayStation-controller support can work without it. Use DS4Windows when the game supports Xbox-style XInput but ignores the controller’s native input.
Why is my controller making menus move twice?
The game is probably seeing both the physical PlayStation controller and DS4Windows’ virtual Xbox controller. Configure HidHide and close other input-mapping programs.
Will DualSense haptics work over Bluetooth on PC?
Sony states that DualSense haptic feedback on PC requires a USB connection when supported by the game. Bluetooth may still provide basic controller input without those advanced effects.
The Bottom Line
For the most reliable results, connect the PS4 or PS5 controller by USB, run the current DS4Windows build, install ViGEmBus and HidHide, and leave the output set to Xbox 360. Verify the virtual controller with joy.cpl, then launch the game through the Xbox app. If the game supports PlayStation controllers natively, skip DS4Windows to preserve PlayStation prompts and any supported DualSense features.
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