Don't buy a mobile controller before trying your DualShock 4.
If you own a modern gaming console, chances are you already have a usable Bluetooth controller for your Android phone. That's because most newer console controllers either use Bluetooth as standard or include it for use on other platforms.
Which means, yes, it's possible to use a PlayStation 4 controller on your Android phone, tablet, or TV device. We're here to show you how.
What you'll need
You're going to want a DualShock 4 controller, first and foremost. Unlike the Xbox One controller, all DualShock 4 controllers have Bluetooth built-in no matter when and where you got it because the PlayStation 4 uses Bluetooth as its standard wireless connection protocol.
If you already have a PS4, congratulations — you have all you need. And if you don't have a PS4 controller, you can always buy one on Amazon (though we'd sooner recommend you buy something else, and we'll tell you why in a bit).
How to use a PS4 controller on Android
With the controller and phone in hand, the pairing process is simple. We'll take you through it step-by-step:
- On your Android device, ensure your Bluetooth radio is turned on by opening settings and heading to the Bluetooth menu. Make sure the phone is in scan mode.
- With the controller, simultaneously hold the PlayStation button and the Share button for a few seconds. The controller's light will begin blinking to let you know it's in pair mode.
- Back on the phone, look for a device named Wireless Controller in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices. Tap that device to begin the pairing process.
- The controller's light should stop blinking and you should get confirmation on your phone that the connection was successful.
If all goes well, you'll be connected and the controller can be used to navigate the Android UI.
Potential issues
In testing, I've found that it may not behave quite as well as a dedicated mobile controller or even the Xbox One's controller. For instance, while I could move my character and turn the camera using the analog sticks in Modern Combat 5, the aim and shoot buttons were relegated to the Share and Option buttons, respectively. This made for a pretty awkward and uncomfortable control scheme that I certainly couldn't play the game with in the long run.
Your mileage may vary in this regard. Give your favorite controller games a try and see if they present any issues. Ideally, a game would simply let you remap all the buttons like an emulator would, but that's just not the case with most games.
One potential route you can take is to root your device to customize the HID profile and make your controller layout more standardized for the games you play, but we wouldn't recommend this option for the inexperienced. In fact, you should try to stay away from rooting your device in general, as it can open you up to nasty security issues and odd device behavior that just might not be worth it.
Should you use a PS4 controller on your Android device?
If you have a game that works well with it or that allows you to remap the buttons, go nuts. But we'd sooner recommend an alternative, or just pick up the Xbox One controller with Bluetooth. Even if you don't find it immediately useful, some popular games like Fortnite could offer controller mapping in the future, and you'll be glad that you already know how to set this up if and when that day arrives.
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