If you want to know how to use the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on a PC, then you've come to the right place. Sony's DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 can be used with a PC to play games on – and thankfully it's pretty easy to connect the DualShock 4 to a PC.

• I am already able to connect my PS4 controller to my PC using the built-in bluetooth adapter. I believe an official driver is all that would be needed. Turniplord said.
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Some controller emulators, like DS4Windows, can map your PS4 controller onto the Xbox controller driver. The steps as follows show you how to use your controller with DS4Windows. 1) Go to the DS4Windows website.

Setting up a PlayStation 4 controller to use on your PC may sound like dark magic, but but the systems are compatible, and the process of setting them up isn't difficult. If you're in the dark on how to do it, we'll run you through everything you need to know right here.

The PS4 DualShock 4 controller is a fantastic choice for a gamepad for this scenario. Its layout includes all the buttons that most controller-based PC games require, and you can even use its trackpad as a mouse input if you need to.

Ps4 Dualshock Controller Cheap

The only downside is that the controller's audio jack isn't currently supported, meaning you'll have to plug your headphones directly into your computer if you want to use them.

• Need a cheap controller? Here are the best DualShock 4 deals

You don't even need a PS4 to experience the DualShock 4 – all you need is the controller, a Windows PC and and a USB cable. You used to need to use specialist software to use the DualShock 4 on a PC, but Sony has now made it even easier to connect the DualShock 4 to your PC and get it running.

You can also use the PS4 controller wirelessly with your PC via Bluetooth. You'll either need a PC that has Bluetooth built in (as many modern laptops do), or you can buy a separate Sony PlayStation 4 DualShock USB Wireless Adaptor dongle that plugs into your PC's USB port. Sony produces an official version, but any Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 2 and above should work.

How to use the PS4 DualShock controller in Steam

Steam, the popular storefront and game launcher, released an update that allows you to use the PS4 DualShock controller on your PC when running the application.

It's easy for you to plug in the Dualshock 4 controller and control your PC games. You can control the TV-friendly Big Picture Mode of Steam using the DualShock 4, and your games will now display PS4 button prompts in-game.

To use the PS4 DualShock controller on your PC in Steam, load up Steam and check for updates, then once the latest update has installed, plug in your DualShock 4 (or connect via Bluetooth) and you'll be good to go!

Unfortunately, this solution doesn’t work very well for everyone, so to find out how to use a PS4 DualShock controller on your PC without using Steam, read on below.

How to use the PS4 controller on PC

1. Download DS4Windows

While using the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PC is pretty simple, it's not quite plug-and-play, as you'll need to install an additional piece of software to get it working on your PC.

The software is called DS4Windows, and it makes connecting the PS4 controller to your PC incredibly simple. It basically fools your PC into thinking the connected DualShock 4 is an Xbox 360 controller, which is supported in Windows.

To get it from the DS4Windows website just download the latest build from the GitHub page.

2. Install DS4Windows

Locate the downloaded Zip file, right-click on it and select 'Extract All…'

A window will appear asking you where you want to extract the files to. You can either choose to extract them to the folder to which you downloaded the zip file, or choose another folder.

Once the files have been extracted the destination folder will open, and you'll see two files. One, DS4Updater.exe, is a program that will keep the DS4Windows program updated with the latest drivers, so it's worth running this file if you encounter problems later.

Double-click the second file, DS4Windows.exe, to begin the setup procedure that will get the PS4 Dualshock Controller working on your PC.

3. Set up DS4Windows

When you launch DS4Windows for the first time you'll be asked where you want your settings and profiles to be saved – we'd recommend using the default selection of 'Appdata'.

A new window will open. Click 'Install the DS4 Driver' to enable you to use the PS4 DualShock controller in Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

If you have Windows 7 or older then you'll need to click on 'Install 360 Driver' as well.

4. Connect the PS4 controller to your PC via USB

Now you'll be able to connect your PS4 DualShock 4 controller to your PC. You can do this in two ways – either via a USB cable or via Bluetooth.

To connect the PS4 DualShock controller to your PC via a USB cable you just need a regular micro USB cable – the same one that comes with many modern smartphones.

Once you've plugged the cable into both the DualShock controller and your PC, Windows should detect it, and you'll be ready to play PC games using the PS4 controller.

5. Connect the PS4 controller to your PC via Bluetooth

One of the best things about using the PS4 DualShock 4 controller on your PC is that you can use it wirelessly, giving you far more flexibility when gaming.

The PS4 DualShock 4 controller uses Bluetooth, so you'll need to make sure your PC or laptop has a Bluetooth receiver built in. If it doesn't, you can buy a Bluetooth USB dongle such as the Tiny USB 2.0 Bluetooth Mini Wireless Adapter; not only is this small enough to be plugged unobtrusively into your PC, it's also pretty cheap at just £2.99 (around US$4.55, AU$6.40).

To connect the PS4 controller via Bluetooth, press and hold the central PS Button and the Share button for three seconds until the lightbar at the top of the controller begins to flash.

Ps4 Dualshock Controller Gold

Next open up the Bluetooth settings on your PC. In Windows 10, click on the speech bubble icon in the Taskbar at the bottom-right corner of your screen. This opens up the Action Center – from there click 'Bluetooth' and then select 'Wireless Controller'.

Ds4

You may be asked to enter a pair code – if so type in 0000. The PS4 DualShock controller will now be connected wirelessly to your PC.

Ps4 Dualshock Controller Not Charging

Image credits: TechRadar