Everyone loves to play games, regardless of their age. The Android touchscreen isn’t the only way to play games on Android devices. Most Android mobile phones and tablets over 10 support controller input and let you enjoy the game comfortably.
Using the controller instead of the touch screen provides an ergonomic hand position. If you have a Playstation 4 controller, you can connect it to your Android phone in seconds. Read this article until the end to learn how to connect a PS4 controller to Android smartphones.
Can I connect a PS4 controller to an Android device?
If you enjoy playing games on both Android and console, you can use the PS4 controller to play Android games. To connect to a PS4 controller, you must have a smartphone or tablet with Android above 10.
- There are two ways to connect a PS4 controller to Android: via Bluetooth and USB cable.
- You can use both methods with Android products that support Bluetooth connectivity.
- However, without Bluetooth support, you can connect your PS4 controller to Android via a USB cable.
How to connect PS4 controller to Android via Bluetooth?
The PS4 controller supports Bluetooth and connects to the PS4 console wirelessly. Similarly, it can connect to your Android devices as well. You can easily connect your PS4 controller to Android by turning on Bluetooth on your device that supports Android 10.
Follow these simple steps to connect your PS4 controller to Android via Bluetooth:
- Disconnect your PlayStation 4 wireless controller from your PS4 console.
- Press and hold the Share and PS buttons at the same time. After holding these buttons for a few seconds, a white light will flash on the wireless controller.
- When the buttons are released, the controller will be unpaired to the console and ready to be paired with a new device.
- Swipe down from the top of your Android mobile device screen to open the menu.
- Hold the Bluetooth button to open the Bluetooth menu in Settings.
- In addition, you can also access the Bluetooth settings in another way. Go to the settings menu on your Android smartphone.
- In the settings menu, touch Bluetooth.
- Turn on the Bluetooth button.
- Your device will scan for available devices.
- Select the Play Station 4 controller from the list of available devices.
- Android will begin the pairing process to connect to the Plat Station 4 controller.
- A menu will appear; click “Pair”to pair the controller with an Android device.
- Wait a few seconds until the white light stops flashing, indicating that the PS4 wireless controller and Android smartphone are connected.
Connecting a PS4 controller to Android via Bluetooth will not only help you play games without learning new layouts. It will also allow you to play comfortably in any position without having to worry about distance limitations due to cable length.
How to connect PS4 controller to Android via USB cable?
To connect a PS4 controller to Android using a USB cable, you will need a USB OTG adapter, a USB connection cable, Android with On-the-Go (OTG) connectivity, and a PlayStation 4 controller.
Almost all Android smartphones and tablets support OTG connections. However, models below Android 4 may not work. You can check it on the device packaging or contact support to see if your phone supports OTG or not.
The PlayStation 4 Wireless Controller uses a micro USB cable. The typical USB connection cable you use to connect to Android devices is a USB Type-A cable. So the best solution is to use an OTG adapter to convert the Type A USB cable into a micro USB cable.
Follow these simple steps to connect your PS4 controller to Android using a USB connector cable:
- Insert the adapter into the charging port.
- Connect the micro USB cable to the adapter.
- Insert the other end into the controller.
- The controller will immediately start working on your Android device.
Which Android games work with PS4 controllers?
Play Station 4 controllers do not support all Android games, especially shooters that are difficult to play without a gamepad. However, other mobile games such as Pubg, Fortnite, and Call of Duty are compatible with PS4 game controllers. You can play these games by connecting your PS4 controller to your Android phone or tablet.
Here are the top 10 games you can play on Android with a PS4 controller.
- dead cells
- Asphalt 8: Airborne
- Gangster Vegas: Underworld
- mine craft
- Assassin’s Creed Personality
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- GRID Motorsport
- Rocket League Sideswipe
- Rock
- Dead trigger 2
Can all Android devices work with PS4 controller?
All Android devices are not compatible with Play Station 4 controllers. Smartphones and tablets with Android above 10 can connect to the Play Station 4 controller via Bluetooth.
In addition, OTG-enabled mobile phones and laptops can connect to the controller via a USB cable.
Outdated and older versions of Android phones will never work with Play Station 4 controllers.
They are also not suitable for gaming. So, if you have the latest Android phone with good memory and CPU, nothing can stop you from getting the best gaming experience after connecting PS4 controller to Android.
How to fix latency issues in a controller?
The PlayStation 4 controller isn’t just for Android users. That’s why you may run into connection issues. You don’t need to be an expert to solve a problem. Mobile apps like Bluetooth Auto Connect can solve your problem in seconds.
Follow these simple steps to fix controller lag issues:
- Open Play Store.
- Find and download the Bluetooth auto connection app.
- Pair your PS4 controller with any Android device of your choice.
- Open the Bluetooth auto connection app.
- Click Start.
- Click on the advanced option in the advanced section.
- Click Continuous Connections.
- Enter any number between 0 and 10.
The Bluetooth Autoconnect app will help you solve all Bluetooth related problems on your android device.
How to remap game controls to work with PS4 controller?
If you play games on your Android phone with a Play Station 4 controller, you may notice that some game control options are not optimized for your Dualshock controller. This issue occurs because many Android games have not yet received support for an external PS4 controller.
You can remap keys using the Octopus app. Download the app and customize the game controls to suit your PS4 controller.
How to disconnect the PS4 controller from your devices?
After playing on an Android device, you can disconnect the Dualshock Play Station 4 controller and connect it back to the console. If connected via USB, you can disconnect the cable from the controller and the Android device.
However, if you have connected your PS4 using Bluetooth, you can only connect it back to the console after making a decision from your device.
To disconnect your PS4 controller from your Android device, follow these steps:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen and open the Bluetooth menu.
- In addition, you can also access the Bluetooth settings in another way. Go to the settings menu on your Android smartphone.
- In this menu, click Bluetooth.
- Click “Wireless Controller”in “Paired Devices”.
- Select “Disable”and click “Remove Device”.
Should you use a PS4 controller on your Android device or not?
If you’re serious about gaming on your Android tablet or smartphone, there are better options than PS4. The best controllers you can use for Android gaming is the Xbox controller or the most advanced Dualsense PS5 controller. Let’s find out why:
- The PS5 controller is now available worldwide, and Sony has discontinued the Dualshock 4, making new Play Station 4 controllers harder to find and buy.
- Although the Sony PlayStation 4 controller works with Android, its unique features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are not available.
- Your experience with the Dualshock Play Station 4 controller may vary when you connect it to an Android smartphone.
- Test it in your favorite games and see if it causes any problems. As a rule, all games can be played through it if the buttons are remapped accordingly.
XBOX vs. PS4
The result was shocking when the Dualshock Play Station 4 controller was tested with Android devices and compared with the Xbox One controller. The Xbox controller worked much better than the Play Station 4 controller.
However, there are easy-to-use controllers at a lower cost than Play Station 4 controllers. If you have a PS4, then using the controller is legal. Conversely, if you don’t have one and plan to buy a new one, it’s useless.
Conclusion
Playing games on Android can become more enjoyable if you connect a PS4 controller to Android. The Plat Station 4 controller offers two types of connections to connect to your Android smartphone or tablet.
If your device supports Bluetooth, pair via Bluetooth; otherwise, connection via USB cable is possible. You can play almost all Android games through PS4 except puzzle games.
Connect your PS4 controller to your Android smartphone or tablet and remap keys to play games like a pro.
FAQ
How to connect PS4 controller to iPhone or iPad?
Go to the Bluetooth menu on your iOS devices and search for new devices. Select your Play Station 4 controller from the list of devices and click Connect. Wait a few seconds. The controller will be paired with your Apple device.
Why is my PS4 controller flashing orange?
The Play Station 4 controller flashes orange when the Play Station 4 is undergoing important updates. This is fixed automatically after the update. So, if this is happening with your controller, wait a few minutes until the indicator turns white.
Why is my PS4 controller blinking blue?
The PS4 controller flashes blue when connected to the console. Otherwise, the blue light indicates a connection issue between the console, controller, and PS4 charger.
Why can’t I connect my PS4 controller to my phone?
Many reasons can prevent PS4 controllers from working with Android phones. First check the battery level. If the problem persists, turn off Bluetooth and then turn it back on after a few seconds. If you forget about the controller and reconnect it to the device, the problem may be solved.