How to connect your PS5 controller to iPhone and Android

Whether you’re commuting, lounging in the park, or just cozying up in your favorite chair, connecting your PlayStation™ controller to your phone opens up a whole new gaming dimension. Combining the flexibility of mobile gaming with the immersive experience of a console controller is a must for mobile gaming, and we’ll show you how to do it.

At Asurion, our experts have the tech know-how to keep your game going anywhere—console not required. Here’s our guide on how to connect your PS5™ controller to your phone.

Connecting your PS5 controller to your phone

You can elevate your gaming experience by connecting your PS5 DualSense™ controller to a compatible device via Bluetooth™ and downloading the PS Remote Play app to stream your favorite games from your console. Before you get started, make sure your mobile phone is running the latest software update to avoid any connection glitches. You can use our guides for iPhones and Android phones.

Connecting wireless controllers to an iPhone

1. Open your iPhone® or iPad®, tap the Settings app > Bluetooth, and turn it on.
2. On your controller, press and hold the PS button (the PlayStation icon at the center of the controller ) and Create button (the three vertical lines located to the right of the directional pad), buttons simultaneously until the light bar starts to blink.
3. On your iPhone, look for the PS5 controller in the list of Bluetooth devices and tap it to connect. Once paired, the controller's light bar will show a steady light.

Connecting wireless controllers to an Android

1. On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings panel, and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.
2. On your controller, press and hold the PS button (the PlayStation icon at the center of the controller) and Create button (the three vertical lines, _icon), (located to the right of the directional pad), buttons simultaneously until the light bar starts to blink.
3. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone, find the PS5 controller in the list of available devices, and select it to pair.

How to connect a controller to Steam

When you connect your controller, that pairing should carry over to the Steam Mobile app—an app you can use to stream games from your PC, similar to the PS Remote Play app. A common issue most players notice when trying to connect their PS5 controller is that it works everywhere on the device except for the Steam app.

Good news, the fix is simple. Head over to the PC connected to your Steam account (the one you’re streaming from), and make sure you don’t have any wired controllers connected. Steam will default to the controller connected to the computer instead of the one you want to use. Disconnect that controller from your PC and try re-connecting the other controller to your phone.