How to use a PS4 controller with a Mac or PC

The DualShock 4 is an excellent controller.Wouldn't it be nice if you could use it to play Steam games, emulate games, or stream games on PS Plus?

sure!While previously requiring the download of drivers and mapping software, the process is now much simpler.Let's see how it works on Mac and PC.

Connect DualShock 4 to Mac

If you're using Steam, just plug the DualShock 4 controller into a USB port.That's all.

Well, there are a few more steps if you want to use Bluetooth.In this case, you need to long press the PS and Share buttons until the light bars flash.Once done, the controller enters pairing mode.Open System Preferences > Bluetooth and select Pair next to your controller in the Devices menu.

You can also open Steam and customize the DualShock 4's rumble settings by enabling "Big Picture Mode" by clicking the controller icon in the upper-right corner of the window or by clicking "View" > "Big Picture Mode."Then click the gear to go to Settings, select Controllers > PS4 Controller.Here, you can adjust mappings and other settings.

Your controller should now sync via bluetooth, eliminating the need for a USB cable.Although it would also be nice to be able to charge the controller every time you plug it into your computer.

Even without Steam, connecting the DualShock 4 to your Mac is simple. OpenEmu is the best emulator out there with native support for DualShock 4, so you can just plug it in and start gaming.It might take you a while to figure out how it maps to your NES or Genesis controller, but after a few minutes of pressing the button, you'll have the hang of it.

Connect DualShock 4 to computer

No matter which gaming platform you use, DualShock 4 connects easily to your computer.The connection process is slightly different depending on whether you use Steam or not, but you can have your controller set up in minutes.

Connect DualShock 4 on Steam

If you're looking to play some of the best Steam games with your DualShock 4, you'll be happy to know that the process is easy.

Simply press and hold the controller's PS button, then scan for Bluetooth devices on your computer to connect the controller to your computer via Bluetooth.It should say "Wireless Controller".Alternatively, plug the controller into the computer using micro USB and the computer will recognize the device.

With the controller connected, open Steam in Big Picture mode.You can use a mouse and keyboard or a DualShock 4 to navigate the platform.You can customize your controller's keybindings in Settings > Controllers.You can turn on Steam input for various types of controllers.

You can even customize the DualShock 4's LED colors in the calibration and advanced settings menus.

Connecting DualShock 4 for non-team games

If you want to use the DualShock 4 to play non-Team games, like emulation games or legacy PC games, or anything you don't play on an official platform, the process takes a few steps.

First, you need to start with DS4Windows download pageDownload DS4Windows, a free application that allows you to emulate an Xbox 360 controller with a DualShock (Windows support).

Unzip the file and start DS4Windows.Connect the DualShock 4 with a USB cable, or pair via Bluetooth (press and hold the PS and Share buttons until the light bar flashes, then use the Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth menu to pair. May need to enter "0000 " as the pairing code).Then, just follow the instructions in the DS4Windows application.It will guide you through setting up the controller.

As with the Mac, once the controller is paired, you can use it to play a variety of games.The emulator works similarly to Steam (to customize how the controller works on Steam, go into "Big Picture Mode" and access the settings, see above for details).If you're using an emulator, you might run into some hiccups, but you can usually find a solution by searching Google, YouTube, and TikTok.

As with Mac, you can also play PS4 games on PC using PS4 Remote Streaming.But again, you'll need to keep it plugged in or use an adapter.

DualShock 4 Wireless USB Adapter

If you're willing to spend the money on an extra accessory, the DualShock 4 Wireless USB Adapter is a great way to use the controller on a computer that doesn't have Bluetooth or otherwise doesn't work well with the controller.It's a small USB dongle that enables DualShock features in any application that supports them.

This adapter is no longer officially sold, but third-party versions are available on Amazon and other sites.You can find them for relatively cheap.

Gaming on PC with DualShock 4

DualShock 4 is easy to use on Mac or PC, with native Steam functionality on PC and native functionality on Mac.If you run into a situation where your PC doesn't recognize the gamepad, using DS4Windows is usually enough to fix the problem.