Ps3 and ps4 controller: Do PS4 Controllers Work on PS3? How to Connect a PS4 Controller to PS3

Do PS4 Controllers Work on PS3? How to Connect a PS4 Controller to PS3

  • PlayStation 4 controllers will work with a PlayStation 3 console, and when you use a wired connection, there is no setup involved.
  • You can also pair a PS4 controller to a PS3 for a wireless connection, though the process of connecting the two devices is more involved.
  • Not all functions of the PS4’s DualShock 4 controller will work while it’s paired to the older system — vibration and tilt control may not function, for example.
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If you have a PlayStation 3, you have a console that may be a generation old but that still has some excellent games well worth re-playing. And you can play those games using the DualShock 4 controller from the newer PS4 system.

Make sure to use a USB 2. 0 to Micro USB cable.

Amazon

To use a PlayStation 4 controller with a PlayStation 3 console, the easiest approach is to simply connect the controller using a USB cable. Once the cable is connecting the two pieces of hardware, you’ll be able to play PS3 games with the controller right away.

To connect a DualShock 4 wireless PS4 controller to a PS3, you’ll also need one of those cables, in fact. But there are more steps than just plugging it in.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

DualShock 4 Wireless Controller (From $59.99 at Best Buy)
PlayStation 4 (From $299.99 at Best Buy)
Mediabridge USB Cable (From $5.39 at Amazon)

How to connect a PS4 controller to your PS3 for wireless use

1. Connect the controller and console with the USB cable and power both on.

2. Open the Settings menu, then go to «Accessory Settings.»

3. Click on «Manage Bluetooth Devices.»

4. Select «Register New Device» by pressing «X» on the controller.

If pairing is not initially successful, try the process again.

Sony

5. Click on «Start Scanning,» and then disconnect the cable from the PS4 controller.

6. Hold the «PS» and «Share» buttons on the controller, and when the lights on the controller start flashing, plug the cable back into it.

7. Highlight «Wireless Controller» on the screen and click on it.

You should now be able to use your PS4 controller wirelessly with your PS3. 

 

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How to use a PS4 controller on PS3

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There’s still plenty of amazing games on last gen — head to our best PS3 games to find out exactly what they are — but the only thing that might stop you from switching HDMI inputs is the thought of having to use your old DualShock 3. There’s a reason we’ve evolved to the DualShock 4 and that’s because the previous generation is a bit like a medieval torture device for your fingers. It looks like it should be fine but very quickly your now (clearly sensitive) muscles just can’t cope with unwieldy plastic of yore. You need your DS4 and you need it now. 

Well the good news is that it’s possible to control the past with the future using oh-so-handy Bluetooth. Here’s how to use your PS4 controller with your PS3. 

One quick note; you won’t get rumble or SixAxis once it’s set up as Bluetooth device but measure that up against happy hands playing Burnout Paradise and it’s a fair price to pay. 

  • Read more: Best PS4 games of 2017

1. Make sure your PS3 has been updated since 2014.
2. Go to ‘Manage Bluetooth devices’ in the ‘Accessory settings’ in the PS3 settings menu.
3. Opt for ‘Register new Device’ which will set the PS3 hunting for available devices.
4. Now hold down the Share and PS buttons simultaneously on your DualShock 4 until the light bar flashes. This pops it into Bluetooth pairing mode.
5. The PS3 should recognise the controller as the catchy ‘Wireless Controller’ which you can select.
6. Voila! Your PS4 controller works on your PS3 with the majority of games. 

One thing to remember is that you’ll have to re-pair your DS4 with your PS4 when you go back to current generation hardware. You’ll also probably want a PS3 controller on hand to use the PS button to get back to the XMB as the PS4 controller’s version doesn’t work. 

For more PS4 help, here are the essential PS4 tips and tricks you need to know .

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Louise Blain is a journalist and broadcaster specialising in gaming, technology, and entertainment. She is the presenter of BBC Radio 3’s monthly Sound of Gaming show and has a weekly consumer tech slot on BBC Radio Scotland. She can also be found on BBC Radio 4, BBC Five Live, Netflix UK’s YouTube Channel, and on The Evolution of Horror podcast. As well as her work on GamesRadar, Louise writes for NME, T3, and TechRadar. When she’s not working, you can probably find her watching horror movies or playing an Assassin’s Creed game and getting distracted by Photo Mode. 

Ability to use DualShock 4 with PS3 wirelessly

PlayStation 3 users have previously been able to use the DualShock 4 controller, however, this required the controller to be connected to the console via a USB cable.

PlayStation 3 users have previously been able to use the DualShock 4 controller, however, this required the controller to be connected to the console via a USB cable.

Now you can use DualShock 4 with PS3 and wirelessly, for this you need:

  • Connect gamepad with cable
  • Open Settings Accessory
  • Select Manage Bluetooth Devices, scan devices
  • While scanning, hold down the PS and Share buttons on the
  • controller

  • Select Wireless Controller, the strip on the gamepad should turn white
  • Disconnect cable

Since the PS3 does not consider the DualShock 4 to be a full-fledged analogue of the DualShock 3, things like vibration and motion sensors will not work.

2014-07-02 08:36:00

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is it possible to use the PS3 gamepad on PS4.

Currently, a variety of gamepads are very popular, with the help of which any game process is controlled. Such devices are purchased not only by professional gamers, but also by amateurs, because the devices are easy to operate. But not every user knows how, for example, PS3 and PS4 differ from each other and whether the joystick of one model is suitable for another device. You will learn about whether it is possible to replace one gamepad with another, as well as about the features of the models in this article.

Contents of the article

  • PS4 controller features
  • Is the PS4 joystick compatible with PS3
  • Can the PS3 controller be used on PS4

PS4 controller features

First, let’s look at some features of the controller.

PS4 is a more modern version of the console, which also comes with a joystick. It is called the DualShock4 and has a number of features that make it different from the old model.

These characteristics will be more understandable to those who have already had to deal with any joysticks, but it will not hurt other users to get acquainted with them in order to understand what exactly the difference is.

For example, the new DualShock has 10 buttons, built-in touchpad, gyroscope, headset jack. There is also a motion detector. For some, the presence of vibration feedback is important — it will be more pleasant to play this way, and all actions performed will “respond” with the help of tactile sensations.

The old joystick has some of the above characteristics, but the new one has much more of them, and also in an improved version.

Will the joystick from PS4 fit PS3

You can use the latest joystick model with the old console — this is easily explained by the fact that the manufacturing company is interested in implementing their new devices.

Therefore, you can safely purchase a joystick or connect an existing one to an old console if you need a large number of control panels or a new set-top box suddenly fails, which, however, is unlikely.

IMPORTANT! Please note that the device can be connected not only using the Bluetooth function for wireless connection, but also via cable. This may be necessary when the charging is over, and you want to continue the game right now.

Most often, users still choose a wireless connection, which is more convenient and easier to connect. To do this, you just need to register a new device, start scanning and press a few buttons on the gamepad. After that, check if the connection is established and you can start using the unit.

Is it possible to use a PS3 gamepad on a PS4

Doing the opposite — connecting an old joystick to a new console is unlikely to work.

First of all, they are incompatible with each other, so the cases when the console was able to recognize the old version of the gamepad are extremely rare. To connect in this case, you will need special additional equipment called a converter. It will be much easier to purchase a new model than to spend time and money on additional equipment.

In addition, this solution is also supported by the fact that the sensations during the use of two devices that are not quite compatible at the same time are significantly worse.