How to Connect a PS4 or PS5 Controller to Your Nintendo Switch

If you'd rather use a PS4 or PS5 controller to play Nintendo Switch games, it's surprisingly easy to make that happen.

The Nintendo Switch is one of the best couch co-op consoles on the market, but the undocked version of the Joy-Con has caused a few points of contention. The controllers are tiny, don't always fit in larger hands, and will often develop "drift" making competitive games like Mario Kart difficult and frustrating to play.

Thankfully, if you also own a PS4 or PS5, you can hook up one of those controllers to your Switch instead. And in this article, we'll show you how.

Connecting Your DualShock 4 or DualSense Controller

Whether you're playing with a group of friends or just aren't a big fan of the Joy-Con controller, it's worth considering playing your Switch games with a PlayStation Controller instead. It's always a crowd favorite and the DualSense can be customized in many ways, as seen in our MegaModz PS5 controller review.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect a DualSense or DualShock 4 controller to your Nintendo Switch.

You’ll need a few things before you start, including a PlayStation Controller and a Bluetooth adapter. The latter can be picked up online cheaply and will be essential to the process; we recommend the 8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter 2. The process for both DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers is essentially the same.

It is a good idea to ensure your PlayStation is unplugged or out of range for this process to avoid the PlayStation controller connecting to your other consoles.

How to Connect a PS4 or PS5 Controller to Your Switch

For the first step, you must ensure that your Nintendo Switch is docked and turned on, and then plug in the wireless USB adapter to one of the USB slots on the dock. Next, you must navigate to the System Settings on the Switch’s main menuand select Controllers and Sensors.

When you're in this menu, turn on the wireless USB adapter by selecting Pro Controller Wired Connection.

By pressing the pairing button on the USB adapter, you should see a rapidly flashing light. This means that the adapter is ready to pair.

Finally, on both the DualSense and DualShock 4 controller, hold down the PS Button and the Share button to put the controller into pairing mode. The DualSense will have lights pulsing around the touchpad, while the Playstation 4’s DualShock 4 will display a pulsing light on the front.

When the lights on the controller and adapter return to their steady color, they are paired. You are now ready to play Switch games using a PlayStation controller. To make sure, you should be able to see your controller displayed on the Controller Select screen on your Switch.

Things to Consider When Using PlayStation Controllers on Switch

It is worth noting that your PlayStation controllers will not work exactly as they, or your Joy-Con controllers, would do under normal circumstances.

Haptic feedback and the in-handset microphone won't work with the PlayStation controllers while playing on your Nintendo Switch, and when waking up your Switch, you will still have to use your Joy-Con. Also, be aware that the USB Wireless Adapter will keep your connected controller powered on, with the sleep function no longer working, so make sure to turn it off, or you risk your controller dying quickly. On the plus side, the PlayStation touchpad works as a screenshot button, and the gyro will still function.

This method works perfectly for both the original Nintendo Switch and the Switch OLED. However, it will not work for the Nintendo Switch Lite (Nintendo Switch vs. Switch Lite).

To connect a DualShock 4 or DualSense to a Nintendo Switch Lite you will also have to purchase a USB-C to USB adapter and use your wireless USB adapter through that instead. Following the step-by-step guide above, you should be able to play your Nintendo Switch Lite with the PlayStation controller of your choice.

Play Switch Games the Way You Want to Play Them

Whether you’re suffering from the dreaded Joy-Con drift, have hands too big for the undocked Switch controller, or just happen to prefer the PlayStation Controller, then the option is there. Of course, if it’s the size or shape of the Joy-Con that is the issue, there are plenty of other Switch controllers to consider using instead.