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Connect a DUALSHOCK 4 to a Mac over Bluetooth by holding SHARE + PS until its light bar flashes, then choose Wireless Controller in macOS Bluetooth settings. For a wired connection, use a micro-USB cable that carries data as well as power. macOS recognizing the controller does not guarantee that every game supports it; the game or app must accept a PlayStation or compatible gamepad.
Before you start
- A genuine DUALSHOCK 4 or compatible controller. Third-party controllers may not offer the same features or work with PS Remote Play.
- A Mac with Bluetooth for wireless play, or a USB port and a micro-USB data-and-charging cable for wired play.
- A game or app that supports DUALSHOCK 4 or another compatible game controller.
Sony lists DUALSHOCK 4 Bluetooth and USB support for compatible Mac games and applications starting with macOS Catalina. That is a controller-connection baseline, not a guarantee that every game or feature will work. See Sony’s DUALSHOCK 4 compatibility and pairing instructions.
Connect the controller over Bluetooth
- Disconnect the controller’s USB cable. If its light bar is on, hold the PS button until the controller turns off.
- Hold SHARE, then press and hold PS until the light bar flashes. The controller is now in pairing mode.
- On the Mac, open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth. On older macOS versions, open System Preferences > Bluetooth.
- Find Wireless Controller under nearby devices and select Connect.
The controller should appear as connected in Bluetooth settings, and its light bar should stop flashing its pairing pattern. You can then test it in a controller-compatible game. This confirms the Mac connection, not the game’s compatibility.
Connect with a USB cable
- Connect the controller to the Mac with a micro-USB cable that supports data and charging. A charge-only cable can power the controller without sending game input.
- Press the PS button if the controller does not activate automatically.
- Open the game or app. If needed, choose the controller in its input or controller settings.
Apple says DUALSHOCK 4 controllers automatically pair and connect when plugged directly into an Apple device with a data-and-charging USB cable. See Apple’s instructions for connecting a PlayStation wireless game controller. If your Mac has only USB-C ports, use a USB-C-to-micro-USB data cable or a USB-C hub or adapter that supports USB data.
#1 Best Overall
- Precision Control: The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the DualShock 4’s analog sticks and trigger buttons have been enhanced to offer players absolute control for all games on PlayStation 4.
- Sharing at your Fingertips: The addition of the Share button makes sharing your greatest gaming moments as easy as a push of a button. Upload gameplay videos and screenshots directly from your system or live-stream your gameplay, all without disturbing the game in progress.
- New ways to Play: Revolutionary features like the touch pad, integrated light bar, and built-in speaker offer exciting new ways to experience and interact with your games and its 3.5mm audio jack offers a practical personal audio solution for gamers who want to listen to their games in private.
- Charge Efficiently: The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller can easily be recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when on standby, or with any standard charger with a micro-USB port.
Use the controller with Mac games
A Mac game must support DUALSHOCK 4, PlayStation controllers, generic USB or Bluetooth gamepads, or a mapping layer such as Steam Input. Check the game’s controller settings or test its input directly; a connected device in macOS is not proof that the game can use it.
Some games show PlayStation button prompts, while others display Xbox-style A/B/X/Y labels. That can be an interface choice rather than a connection fault. If a game does not respond, quit it, connect the controller, and relaunch the game; then check its input settings.
Rank #2
- 🎮【Kind Remind】- Fully compatible with PS4/PS4 pro/Slim. USB wired connection supports PC(Windows 7/8/10/11). With this controller, you can enjoy games in multiple platforms. (Note: you need to activate device with the USB cable in the package for the first connection.)
- 🎮【Support for Built-in Vibration Function】 The game controller has two built-in motion motors, which give you different intensity feedback and a more realistic game experience.
- 🎮【New Way to Play】- The clickable touch pad and integrated light bar offer you a new way to play games. Additionally, 3.5mm audio jack supports compatible headphone.You can enjoy volume controls located directly on the controller and don’t need to worry about disturbing others.is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
- 🎮【Upgraded Version】- The buttons are with high sensitivity and provide an accurate gaming experience. The layout of controller buttons is optimized with excellent dual analog gamepad design.
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Using Steam Input
Open Steam’s current controller settings and check whether the controller appears. If the game needs help recognizing it, enable the relevant PlayStation-controller or Steam Input support, then inspect the game’s controller layout. Menu labels can change. When a game has native PlayStation support, test with Steam Input both enabled and disabled: a remapping layer can help in one game and conflict in another. Steam’s controller support guidance covers PlayStation controllers in supported Steam Link/controller contexts.
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Use the controller with PS Remote Play
PS Remote Play streams gameplay from a PS4 to the Mac; the console still runs the game. The app is free, but you need a PS4 or PS5 console, a PlayStation account, the Remote Play app, and a broadband connection. The steps below describe connecting to a PS4.
Rank #3
- 🎮【2 Packing】Two controllers are packaged in one box, which is less costly than buying two controllers separately. You can get two different custom designed controllers at the same time, which is very cost-effective.This will bring you a better game experience when you play with your friends, lover, family.
- 🎮【Wide Compatibility】AceGamer wireless controller compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. ❗*Attention*❗: Only when connecting for the first time, you must activate the device with the USB cable for the first pairing and connection. After that, the normal wireless connection of Bluetooth can be made, and USB data cable is no longer needed. ❗*Note*❗: Connecting to PC(without Bluetooth) needs to install receiver, not included.
- 🎮【Function Highlights】360° Refined analog sticks, the new touch pad on the face of the game controller offer players precise control. Controller which built-in 6-axis gyro sensor has dual motor vibration, excellent dual shock effect design makes the tactile sense more sensitive. The optimized buttons and triggers, ergonomic design non-slip grips, which offer you fantastic gaming experience.
- 🎮【Turbo Setting】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
- 🎮【To Be AceGamer】You can get: 2x AceGamer for ps4 controllers wireless; 1x Charging Cable; 1x User Manual; Professional after-sales service. We focus on the design, production and sales of custom controllers. If you have any questions, please contact us in any time!
Prepare the PS4
- On the PS4, go to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and turn on Enable Remote Play.
- Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 and select Activate.
- If you want to wake the console remotely from Rest Mode, open Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode. Enable Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS4 from Network.
Sony’s PS4 support instructions cover Remote Play activation and console setup.
Set up Remote Play on the Mac
- Download and install PS Remote Play.
- Connect the controller to the Mac by Bluetooth or USB before launching the app. USB is a useful fallback if wireless input is unreliable.
- Open PS Remote Play and sign in with the same PlayStation account used on the PS4.
- Select PS4 and let the app search for the console. If automatic discovery fails, follow the app’s instructions to register the console manually.
Sony’s current Mac requirements list macOS Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia, or Tahoe, at least 40 MB of storage, and at least 2 GB of RAM. Sony recommends at least 5 Mbps upload and download for Remote Play and 15 Mbps or more for better performance. These are speed recommendations, not guarantees of low latency; Wi-Fi congestion, router quality, and the console’s network connection also affect the stream. A wired Ethernet connection for the console can help avoid wireless-network problems. The app’s settings allow adjustments to resolution and frame rate. See Sony’s Remote Play overview and network guidance.
Rank #4
- The feel, shape, and sensitivity of the dual analog sticks and trigger buttons have been improved to provide a greater sense of control, no matter what you play.Motion sensors - Rock and roll as a highly sensitive built-in accelerometer and gyroscope detect the motion, tilt and rotation of your DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controllerDualShock 4 Wireless Controller PS4 and PC compatible. Item PS5 compatible only when playing PS4 games.
- The new multi touch and clickable touch pad on the face of the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller opens up worlds of new gameplay possibilities for both newcomers and veteran gamers
- The DualShock 4 Wireless Controller features a built in speaker and stereo headset jack, putting several new audio options in the player's hands
- The Dualshock 4 wireless controller can be easily recharged by plugging it into your PlayStation 4 system, even when in rest mode, or with any standard charger using a USB cable (type A to micro B sold separately)
Fix common connection problems
The controller does not appear in Bluetooth settings
- Hold PS until the controller turns off, and disconnect any USB cable.
- Hold SHARE + PS until the light bar flashes, then check Bluetooth settings again.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on in macOS. If an old Wireless Controller entry is saved, remove or forget it and pair again.
- Move the controller away from other Bluetooth devices and USB 3 hubs, charge it, then retry.
- If it still does not appear, press the small reset button on the back of the controller, then repeat the pairing steps.
It connects, but a game does not respond
The game may not support controllers, may not recognize PlayStation input natively, or may have a conflicting input layer. Quit the game completely, connect the controller first, and reopen the game. Check the game’s controller settings. If you use Steam, test with Steam Input on and off; if Bluetooth input remains unreliable, try USB.
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Confirm that the controller is connected before opening Remote Play, and that the app uses the same PlayStation account as the PS4. Verify that Remote Play is enabled and that the PS4 is activated as the account’s primary console. If those settings are correct, connect the controller by USB, restart the app, sign in again, and select the intended PS4. A weak or unstable network can disrupt the stream even when controller input is working.
Best Value
- 🎮【Attention】It's compatible with PS4/Pro/Slim/Windows PC. When you are connecting it to game console for the first time, you need to use the charge cable in the package. When you are connecting it to PC, you need to hold down 'share + home' for 3 seconds. The controller's white light would flash, and you'll see the controller on your PC, which has the BT name 'wireless controller'.
- 🎮【Unique Design】The Galaxy design is inspired by the designer's love for the vast universe, different colors of nebulae accompanied by meteorites, if you use it at night, with a little light, then, you are not only holding the controller, but the whole universe.
- 🎮【Custom Process】The galaxy design are printed on the controller shell by water transfer process. They are not cheap stickers. We apply a smooth hand feel oil to the surface to ensure that hand sweat will not erode it.
- 🎮【Turbo Function】You can customize any key as a turbo key. First, hold down the 'share' key, then click the turbo key you want to set up successfully. Secondly, you can adjust the turbo frequency. First, hold down the 'share' key, then touch the joystick on the right up and down. There are three gears to adjust in total.
- 🎮【To Be AceGamer】You Can Get：1x Controller for PS4;1x USB-C Charge Cable;1x User Manual. AceGamer specializes in providing customized controllers for game lovers. No matter what problem you encounter, please leave us a message, we will reply to you within 24 hours.
The controller reconnects to the PS4 instead of the Mac
A DUALSHOCK 4 can pair with only one console at a time. To pair it back to the PS4, connect it to the console with a compatible USB cable and press PS. When switching back to the Mac, put it into Bluetooth pairing mode again. See the PlayStation controller support page.
Rumble, the touchpad, motion controls, headset audio, or light-bar controls do not work
Sony warns that these features may not be available over Bluetooth on non-Sony devices. Support varies with the connection, application, and game, so do not treat a missing feature as proof that pairing failed. Sony lists these limitations in its DUALSHOCK 4 Mac and PC guidance.
Bluetooth or USB: which should you use?
| Connection | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Cable-free Mac gaming after pairing | Some controller features may be unavailable, and pairing or interference can cause problems. |
| USB | Troubleshooting, Remote Play, and a steady wired connection | Requires a data-and-charging micro-USB cable and may need a USB-C adapter or hub. |
You do not need Sony’s older USB wireless adapter for current Mac Bluetooth support. A replacement controller is only worth considering if the existing one is faulty, and a new controller is not required simply to connect a working DUALSHOCK 4.
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