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PlayStation 4 Controller Now Works Wirelessly With PlayStation 3

The DualShock 4 is now compatible without a wire with the last-gen system, although there are still some limitations.

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When the PlayStation 4 launched last November, Sony made the DualShock 4 controller compatible with the PlayStation 3 if it is plugged in via USB charge cable. With recently-released update 4.60 to the PS3, you can now use a DualShock 4 wirelessly to control PS3 games. A post on Reddit details the new feature, which simply requires you to pair a PS4 controller with the PS3 using Bluetooth.

Unfortunately, the PlayStation button, vibration, and Sixaxis tilt controls still do not work. But you can now turn on the PS3 using the DualShock 4's PS button, which was not possible before.

You can see the step-by-step guide to pairing a DualShock 4 with a PS3 below.

  1. Select "Manage Bluetooth Devices" under "Accessory Settings" in the PS3 settings menu.
  2. Select "Register New Device," then start the PS3's bluetooth scanning.
  3. While it's scanning, press and hold the share and PS buttons on the DualShock 4 at the same time until the light bar starts blinking.
  4. The PS3 should then detect the controller, which will appear as "Wireless Controller.'
  5. Select the controller and complete the pairing.

This will not turn on both a PS3 and PS4 simultaneously if the consoles are close together. The controller must be re-paired with the PS4 before it can be used.

Will you use the DualShock 4 for your old PS3 games? Or will you stick with the DualShock 3 for all your PS3 gameplay? Let us know in the comments!

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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KBABZ

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Also worth noting that the controller STILL doesn't work on any Insomniac Games titles.

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DiamondDM13

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<< LINK REMOVED >> What are you talking about? It doesn't work with the Resistance Series?

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KBABZ

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Correct, it doesn't work with any of the Ratchet & Clank games either (not counting the HD Collection games).

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neowarrior793

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well im happy with this, i used my ps3 for nearly 4 years now and the left joystick is slightly damaged to make me move forward in games (kinda annoying) so to use my ps4 will help loads. (tho last time o used it i couldn't map r2 and l2 on fallout nv so is that fixed?)

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nintendians

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nah, I'll still use a ps3 controller for ps3, less hassle than this setup.

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Refloaded

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Still can't play Gta 5 on the ps3 with it sooo I'm not impressed at all

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danielheywood

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This just proves PS3 is not dead and will continue for another 5 years lol

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TheRealZorvan

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@danielheywood Hell, PS2 lasted 12 years. Of course, the PS2 had a better game library than the PS3 or PS4 ever will.

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EcksTheory

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Seriously, how hard is it to get full support going.

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oneislive

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Yea that's cool if you cant get that on Xbox 360 & Xbox 0ne I'm not sure if I'm buying Xbox one any more

Sincerely yours,

UnveilingFrame

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Daveof89

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Um, what?


USE PUNCTUATION.

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Kos1c

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It's not a bad feature, but would rather the Ps3 controller working on the Ps4. Their costing me a fortune to get me, my girl friend and a spare one for friend/brother to use on 3 player games.

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bu3aDeL_Maz

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i still use my PS3 to play mortal kombat with my friends, I always prefer the DS4 so now it's nice that I can sit far away from the console when playing MK :)

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VegasAceVII

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If you can't go into the Cross Media Bar with the controller; then I have no use for it personally. Not to mention; the DualShock 3 has better battery life. I'm not sure I see the point of this but...cool.

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cameroncr95

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...why do people want this?


This would be hard to use considering the PS Button wont work, and many games require select and start.


(Traditionally, Inventory is select, start is options.)

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bryan_lung1

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<< LINK REMOVED >> select and start still work. You just have to use options and share. The ps button thing is a nuisance though.


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Arsyad00

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great now my ps3 have 6 controller, and i dont have that many friend to play with....

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neowarrior793

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<< LINK REMOVED >> i can only think up 4 imaginary friends XD

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Furwings

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Just curious, how widespread is the issue with the rubber wearing off/cracking on the DS4's sticks? I've had mine since launch and played it fairly extensively and mine's still perfectly fine. Is this yet another molehill that's been turned into a mountain by fanboys of other systems on the Interwebs or a legit thing?

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SedrikP39

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@Furwings if there is button smash then theres analog smashing.. just play with precision and your controller will be okay... the only reason that broke my ds3 analog was my lil baby girl chewing on it... but can be easily replaced. my ds4 is still perfect

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tomoprime

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<< LINK REMOVED >>I bought mine last Dec. Played lots of Warframe. The left thumbstick rubber was getting really soft in the corner and then cracked open. Later on R1 started to stick after being warmed up. I continued to play like this until the R2 trigger broke. That was the final straw. I returned it to sony back in May and they shipped me a new controller. So far no issues.

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neowarrior793

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<< LINK REMOVED >> its not bad really, people just abuse the controller and don't have any self restraint. after they damage it they complain usually because of carelessness.

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TheTruthNJ09

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

That's entirely based off of your own ill-informed opinion. You assume that you're the only person with a PS4 that takes care of your stuff? Yeah right, bro...


Anyway, the DS4 the came with my launch system has thumbsticks that are *smooth* from CASUAL play not even a year later. I got another official DS4 for $20 (I have the hookup) and the rubber on the thumbsticks are noticeably different than the DS4 that came with the system. It's definitely not as soft so the wear should be nowhere near as bad 7 months from now. If most of the people who are making it seem like people are over exaggerating about their controllers, buy a recently manufactured one and look at the difference...

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nervedamaged

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Mine are fine and I use them almost every day. I have the one that came with the console and a standalone. The only thing is is that the stand alone charge lasts like twice as long as the one bundled. But neither of them have any wear whatsoever. Hope that helps!

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ffspyda

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good. now carry it over on to PC


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jedicommand7

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Having the PS3 controller work with PS4 might be nice when PS Now is fully releasd.

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OHGFawx

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I've enjoyed my PS3 for 5 years now, but I have never liked the DS3. It feels cheaply made compared to the DS2 and DS4, the thumbsticks are not ideal for games that require sensitive movement (racing games, shooters, stealth games, etc), and of course L2 and R2 should be concave, not convex. The xbox 360 controller is much better to me which is why i nearly always chose the xbox version of multi-plat games this generation, the only real exceptions were Lords of Shadow 1 & 2 (because 1 blu-ray is better than 2 DVD-9's).

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Avatar image for Halloll
Halloll

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I seem to be the only one here who prefer the DS3 over the DS4.

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RSM-HQ

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<< LINK REMOVED >> I liked the DS3 other than the rear triggers, never felt they're very responsive.


DS4 is still very with its former brothers but with substantial improvements. respect your point-of-view regardless.

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ahmad996

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<< LINK REMOVED >> and i respect your opinion.........

plz explain why though?

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Halloll

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> guess I'm just used to it since the PS1 days, also I have freeakishly small hands and I like the pressure sensitive buttons, I map them to all sort of things when playing sims on PC.

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trotz75

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U know what they say about small hands?

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gamemasterspike

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Small gloves??

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ahmad996

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Good point. Every one has different preferences towards controllers as to which type of games they play and what is physically more comfortable according to their attributes. U can never claim one controller as the most superior

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Furwings

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Kinda cool I guess. I've already been using a 10 foot USB extension cable on my PS3 to play NHL 14 with the FAR superior DS4 in anticipation for NHL 15 on PS4!


Go Flames Go!

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deactivated-58270bc086e0d

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Well that is a plus at least. The PS4 controler might be more expensive but the PS3 controller was frigging terrible. The triggers, the sticks with a five inch dead zone, I'd definitely be willing to pay for a Dual Shock 4 in that case.

I just looked below as well, I didn't know the DS4 didn't have vibration! What sort of game are you playing Sony? Microsoft are ADDING vibration to the triggers and you remove it all together. In favour of a stupid light and a gimmicky touchpad that is about as useful as the triggers on the DS3? And you wonder why people don't buy your hardware as much any more?

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Halloll

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<< LINK REMOVED >> though I agree that DS4 deadzone is smaller, DS3 sticks still have a tiny deadzone. games are just programed with more deadzone than that of the controller to accommodate aging controllers. or your DS3 is one of those newer cheap models.

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ahmad996

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Read more attentively. It doesnt have vibration when connected to the ps3.

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Schreffboyrd

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<< LINK REMOVED >> DualShock 4 most certainly has vibration. Albeit not in the triggers (nice touch Microsoft) but in the handles it's there.

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ahmad996

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@Dannystaples14 The DS4 does have vibration you retard. Only not when connected to the ps3. Read more attentively!

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Schreffboyrd

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The DualShock 3 controller was virtually unusable with its mushy-marshmellowy triggers that for whatever reason smoothly curved downward and depressed whenever setting your controller down, causing the old Netflix to race through whatever we were watching or fling grenades in Borderlands 2. Even barring the fact that there is no vibration, having to re-pair to the PS4, and a non-functional PS button (which is the most inconvenient in my opinion) this is still most welcome news!

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thecman25

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<< LINK REMOVED >> BETTER THAN THE 360's controller

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deactivated-58270bc086e0d

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@Schreffboyrd Wait a minute Dual Shock 4 doesn't have vibration? What the f*ck?!

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Schreffboyrd

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Sorry, that is to say no vibration when using it with the PS3. DualShock 4 has an excellent vibration capability.

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thecman25

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> it does have vibration

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ahmad996

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<< LINK REMOVED >> IT DOES HAVE VIBRATION!!!

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eze_sl89

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i would want to be able to use the PS4 controller wiressly with my PC.

im waiting for that glorious day that sony decides to release some kind of driver for us, the master race.

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technogeist

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<< LINK REMOVED >> I use a DS4 wirelessly with my PC everyday. Google ScpServer, works perfectly.

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