How to Connect Ps4 Controller to Mac

Kyle Wood

Mac, Tutorials

Are you a Mac user who also happens to be a gaming enthusiast? If so, you may have wondered if it’s possible to connect your PS4 controller to your Mac.

The good news is, it is indeed possible! In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of connecting your PS4 controller to your Mac, step by step.

Step 1: Check Compatibility

Before we dive into the connection process, let’s ensure that your PS4 controller is compatible with your Mac. For this method to work, you’ll need a PS4 DualShock 4 controller. Additionally, make sure that your Mac runs on OS X 10.11 or later versions.

Step 2: Enable Bluetooth on Your Mac

In order to connect the PS4 controller wirelessly, you need to enable Bluetooth on your Mac. To do this:

  • Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen.
  • Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
  • Click on the “Bluetooth” icon in the System Preferences window.
  • Ensure that the “Bluetooth” option is turned on.

Step 3: Put Your Controller in Pairing Mode

The next step is to put your PS4 controller into pairing mode:

  1. Hold down the PlayStation button and Share button simultaneously until the light bar starts flashing.
  2. Playstation and Share buttons

  3. Release the buttons and wait for the light bar to blink rapidly.

Step 4: Connect Your Controller to Your Mac

Now that your controller is in pairing mode, it’s time to connect it to your Mac:

  1. Open the Apple menu and select “System Preferences”.
  2. Click on the “Bluetooth” icon in the System Preferences window.
  3. Locate your PS4 controller in the list of available devices.
  4. Bluetooth devices list

  5. Select your controller and click on the “Connect” button.

Step 5: Test Your Connection

You’re almost there! To ensure that your PS4 controller is successfully connected to your Mac, follow these steps:

  1. Open a game or application that supports gamepad input on your Mac.
  2. Navigate through the menus using your PS4 controller’s buttons and joysticks.
  3. Trial run: Play a few minutes of the game or use relevant functions within an application to verify that all buttons, triggers, and joysticks are working correctly.

Troubleshooting Tips:

If you encounter any issues during this process, try out these troubleshooting tips:

  • Rename Bluetooth preferences file:
    Navigate to Finder > Go > Go To Folder and enter ~/Library/Preferences. Locate the file named com.apple.Bluetooth.plist, right-click on it, and select “Rename”. Add “.old” to the end of the filename.

    Restart your Mac and try connecting the controller again.

  • Reset PS4 controller:
    Use a small pin or paperclip to press the reset button at the back of your controller. After resetting, put it back into pairing mode and try connecting again.
  • Update macOS:
    Make sure that your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Apple frequently releases updates that can fix compatibility issues.

Congratulations! You have successfully connected your PS4 controller to your Mac.

Now you can enjoy gaming on your Mac using your favorite controller. Happy gaming!

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