How to Use a Game Controller | Pair It With Any Device

Getting a controller working comes down to one setup moment: pairing it with the device the first time. After that, a single button press usually reconnects it. The steps differ slightly between PlayStation, Xbox, and Apple devices — and the wrong button combo is the most common reason a controller won’t connect. Here’s how each one works.

Pair a DualSense Controller With a PS5 Console

Sony’s DualSense wireless controller pairs to a PS5 with a wired connection the first time. Turn on the PS5, connect the controller using the included USB cable, and press the PS button if the controller is off. When the light bar blinks and the player indicator lights up, the controller is paired — unplug the cable and it works wirelessly from then on.

One limit matters: a DualSense pairs with only one PS5 console at a time. Moving it to another console means pairing it again with that system.

Use a PlayStation Controller on a Windows PC

Sony’s Windows instructions give two connection routes. By cable, plug the USB cable into the controller’s USB Type-C port and the other end into the PC. For wireless, the PC must support Bluetooth. Hold the Create button and PS button together for at least 3 seconds until the light bar and player indicator flash twice, then select the controller from Windows Bluetooth settings.

The same Create + PS combo applies when pairing to other Bluetooth devices, like phones or tablets. The light bar and player indicator should be off before you start holding the buttons.

Pair an Xbox Wireless Controller With Windows 11

Microsoft documents a clear Bluetooth path for the Xbox Wireless Controller on Windows 11. Press the Xbox button to turn the controller on, hold the Pair button for three seconds until the Xbox button flashes, then open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device and select the controller.

A USB cable works too. Windows 11 automatically detects a controller connected by USB-A or USB-C (depending on the model) and installs the needed drivers — no pairing step required.

Where Controller Setup Differs on Apple Devices and Steam

Apple’s guidance is less specific because it covers many controller brands. Press and hold the controller’s pairing button or buttons, open Bluetooth settings, and select the controller from the list. The exact button combo depends on the controller model, so check the controller’s documentation when the obvious buttons don’t work.

Steam handles PC gaming a bit differently. Steamworks documentation says to connect and charge the controller, then open the Steam desktop client and go to Steam > Settings > Controller to configure it for a game. Confirm the controller has charge first — a dead battery looks exactly like a failed connection.

If you’re picking a controller specifically for racing titles, our tested roundup of the best controllers for racing games covers which models handle triggers and rumble best for that genre.

Most connection problems trace back to two mistakes. And using the wrong button combo wastes time; PlayStation controllers need Create + PS specifically, never just PS.