How to Connect a PS4 Controller to iPhone

This article explains how to connect a PS4 controller to an iPhone. It includes information on how to play PlayStation 4 games on the iPhone. This information applies to iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices with iOS 13 or later.

How to Pair a PS4 Controller With an iPhone

The iPhone officially supports the Sony DualShock 4 controllers. You can also use third-party PS4 controllers, but these may not function as expected. To pair a DualShock 4 with your iOS device:

1. Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone if it isn't enabled.

2. On the PS4 controller, press and hold the PS button (the one with the PlayStation logo on it) and the Share button simultaneously until the light bar on the controller blinks.

3. Your controller is ready to pair. There's a new entry on the iPhone Bluetooth settings screen, located in the Other Devices section. If you use a default PS4 controller, tap DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller.

4. If pairing is successful, the PS4 controller appears under the My Devices section accompanied by the word Connected. The PS4 controller is connected to the iPhone and can be used with iOS apps that support it.

Which iPhone Games Can You Play With a PS4 Controller?

The number of iOS App Store titles compatible with a PS4 controller is limited. However, this list may grow as time goes on.

How to Play PS4 Games on Your iPhone

After you connect a DualShock 4 controller to your iOS device, you can play PS4 games with the help of a special app:

1. Turn on the PS4 and confirm that it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.

2. Download and install PS4 Remote Play from the App Store.

3. Launch PS4 Remote Play on your iPhone and tap Start.

4. Enter the email address and password associated with your PlayStation account.

5. Tap Sign In.

6. The app attempts to locate the PS4. This process can take a few minutes. Once located, the app registers, and then connects to the console. If the Wi-Fi signal is weak or the connection speed isn't fast enough for Remote Play, the process is halted, and you receive an error message.

   There are several troubleshooting methods you can try if your PS4 won't connect to Wi-Fi.

7. After you successfully connect your iPhone to the console, you're presented with the standard PS4 interface in split-view mode accompanied by a touchscreen controller. Select a game as you normally would on the PS4 using the physical controller to navigate.

   Consult Sony's official DualShock 4 Wireless Controller manual for more details on how to use the PS4 controller.

8. When the game launches, rotate your iPhone horizontally to landscape mode so that most of the on-screen buttons disappear. This way, the majority of the iPhone display is utilized for the game.

   There is no way to get rid of the on-screen buttons completely.