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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Sony’s official name for the PlayStation controller button marked with an X is Cross. That label appears in Sony controller documentation from 2013 and in current PS5 support documentation. “X” remains common in everyday conversation, so the distinction is between Sony’s formal terminology and how many players describe the button—not a rule about what players must call it.
What Sony calls the button
Sony’s PS5 support page lists the DualSense’s action buttons as Cross, Circle, Triangle and Square. It describes the Cross button as selecting the highlighted item in the PS5 console menu. That is the documented function in the console menu; it does not establish how the button is used in every game. PlayStation Support’s PS5 button-functions guide uses the label “Cross button.”
Sony used the same name years earlier. In its February 21, 2013 announcement for the DUALSHOCK 4, Sony Computer Entertainment listed the controller’s “Action buttons (Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square).” Sony’s DUALSHOCK 4 announcement shows that “Cross” was part of the company’s official terminology before the later public debate.
Why the name became a debate
On September 5, 2019, the official PlayStation UK account pushed back against calling the button “X.” As reproduced by The Guardian, the post said: “Triangle / Circle / Cross / Square / If Cross is called X (it’s not), then what are you calling Circle?” The Guardian’s report also quoted the question behind the discussion: “Do you say ‘x’ or ‘cross’ button?”
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
The post turned a formal naming convention into a familiar language dispute. Sony’s terminology is clear in its own documentation, but that does not make “X” an unusual or incomprehensible way for players to refer to the symbol. The available Sony sources establish the official label; they do not give a definitive explanation based on the symbol’s geometry.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What players commonly call it
A PlayStation poll reported by TechSpot in 2019 illustrates the gap between official terminology and everyday wording: 81 percent of nearly 170,000 participants chose “X,” while 8 percent chose “Cross.” TechSpot’s report describes a self-selected poll, not a representative survey of all PlayStation players, and it is not a current measure of usage.
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- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
So, if someone asks whether the button is called X or Cross, the precise answer is: Sony officially calls it Cross, while “X” is widely used in conversation.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
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