The Ultimate 5-Step Guide: How To Connect Your PS5 DualSense Controller To IPhone (Updated For 2025)

Connecting your PS5 DualSense controller to your iPhone is the single best upgrade you can make to your mobile gaming experience today, December 12, 2025. This simple pairing process instantly transforms your iPhone into a powerful, handheld console, allowing you to play everything from Apple Arcade exclusives to high-fidelity titles via PS Remote Play with the superior comfort and precision of the DualSense.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless Controller has been officially supported by Apple since the release of iOS 14.5, and the process remains fast and seamless even with the latest iOS updates. This guide will walk you through the essential five steps, cover the compatibility requirements, and explain the current status of advanced features like Adaptive Triggers and Haptic Feedback on your Apple device.

Compatibility Checklist: What You Need to Connect

Before you begin the pairing process, ensure your devices meet the minimum software requirements. This will prevent most common connection issues and ensure the DualSense controller functions correctly.

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• iPhone Model: Any iPhone model from the iPhone 6s and later is compatible, provided it runs the correct operating system.
• iOS Version: Your iPhone must be running iOS 14.5 or later to support the standard DualSense Wireless Controller.
• DualSense Edge: If you are using the premium DualSense Edge controller, you will need iOS 16.4 or later for full support.
• Bluetooth: Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone via the Settings app or Control Center.
• Controller Power: Make sure your DualSense controller is sufficiently charged.

The 5-Step Quick Guide to DualSense Pairing

The entire process takes less than one minute. You do not need to use a cable; the connection is established entirely through Bluetooth.

Step 1: Disable the DualSense Controller (If Necessary)

If your DualSense is currently connected to your PS5 console, you should first disconnect it. The easiest way is to hold down the PlayStation Button (PS Button) until the light bar turns off, confirming the controller is powered down.

Step 2: Activate Bluetooth on Your iPhone

Go to your iPhone’s Settings app, tap on Bluetooth, and ensure the toggle switch is in the 'On' position. Keep this screen open, as you will need to watch the list of available devices.

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Step 3: Enter DualSense Pairing Mode

This is the critical step for initiating the connection. On your DualSense controller:

1. Press and hold the Share Button (the small button to the left of the Touchpad, marked with three lines).
2. Simultaneously, press and hold the PlayStation Button (the logo button between the analog sticks).

Hold both buttons until the light bar on the controller begins to rapidly flash a blue light. This indicates the controller is in Bluetooth pairing mode and is discoverable by your iPhone.

Step 4: Select and Connect the Controller

On your iPhone's Bluetooth screen, a new device should appear under the "Other Devices" list. Look for: "DualSense Wireless Controller" (or "DualSense Edge Wireless Controller" if using the pro model).

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Tap on the name to initiate the pairing. The controller will connect almost instantly.

Step 5: Confirm the Successful Connection

Once connected, the flashing blue light on the controller will turn into a single, solid color (often orange or a steady blue, depending on the controller's state). On your iPhone, the controller's name will move from "Other Devices" to "My Devices" and will show a "Connected" status. You are now ready to play! You can check the controller's battery level directly on the iPhone's Battery widget.

Advanced Features: Haptics, Adaptive Triggers, and PS Remote Play

While the basic functionality (buttons, sticks, triggers) works perfectly across all compatible iOS games and apps, the advanced features of the DualSense are a more complex topic.

DualSense Features in Native iOS Games (Apple Arcade & App Store)

The vast majority of games available on the App Store and Apple Arcade support standard controller input (like the older DualShock 4). However, support for the DualSense's signature features—Adaptive Triggers and Advanced Haptic Feedback—is currently limited.

• Haptic Feedback: Some developers have implemented basic rumble (similar to PS4-style vibration), but the nuanced, high-definition haptics found in PS5 titles like Astro's Playroom or Returnal are rarely available in native iOS games.
• Adaptive Triggers: Functionality for the triggers that can change resistance (e.g., to simulate drawing a bowstring) is not widely supported by third-party iOS games.

DualSense Features in PS Remote Play

The PS Remote Play application is the best way to experience the DualSense on your iPhone, as it streams your PS5 console's gameplay directly to your phone. The app now officially supports the DualSense controller.

• Adaptive Triggers: Crucially, the Adaptive Triggers are confirmed to work over PS Remote Play, allowing you to feel the tension and resistance as if you were holding the controller at home.
• Haptic Feedback: The situation for haptics is "hit and miss." While you will get basic rumble feedback, the proper, immersive haptic vibrations are often lost or downgraded to standard vibration when streaming.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems

If your DualSense controller is not connecting, not pairing, or is experiencing input lag (latency), here are the most effective fixes.

1. Check for Paired Devices and Low Battery

The DualSense controller can only be paired to one Bluetooth device at a time. If it was recently used with a PS5, iPad, or Android device, it might still be trying to connect there.

• Solution: Ensure your PS5 is completely turned off or out of range. Check the controller's battery level; low power is a common cause of intermittent connection issues.

2. Perform a Controller Reset

A hard reset can clear any lingering connection bugs or firmware issues. This is different from simply turning it off.

• Solution: Use a small, unfolded paperclip or SIM ejector tool to press the tiny reset button located in the small hole on the back of the DualSense controller, near the Sony logo. Hold it for about five seconds, then repeat the 5-step pairing process.

3. Toggle Bluetooth and Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, the issue lies with the iPhone’s Bluetooth stack, not the controller itself.

• Solution: Turn Bluetooth off and on again on your iPhone. If that fails, restart your iPhone completely, which often clears temporary software glitches that prevent new device pairing.

4. Forget and Re-Pair the Device

If the controller has connected before but is now acting erratically, the saved pairing profile may be corrupted.

• Solution: Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the "DualSense Wireless Controller" in your "My Devices" list, tap the 'i' icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device." Then, repeat the 5-step pairing guide from the beginning.