Sony is getting ready to launch a PlayStation 5 system update in beta, which includes simultaneous DualSense wireless controller pairing across multiple devices (personally, hallelujah to this).
The PlayStation maker notes that many of its peripherals, such as the DualSense and DualSense Edge wireless controllers, are made to support devices including PC, Mac, and mobile as well as its own PS5 console. This compatibility “creates a more flexible and seamless gaming experience,” PlayStation said.
But there’s always been a bit of snag, shall we call it, when it comes to connecting a DualSense controller to more than one device. In fact, you can’t do it right now, and instead have to pair the controller with a new device any time you want to use it elsewhere. It isn’t the end of the world by any means, but it does take up time that we could use for other things, like starting a game straight away.
Thankfully, PlayStation understands the current way of doing things isn’t the most streamlined, and its new beta update will allow participants to register up to four devices simultaneously which can then be switched between. “For example, you can take your controller which you use with your PS5, then seamlessly switch connection to a PC to play PC games, or connect it to a smartphone to enjoy Remote Play from your PS5. With this enhanced flexibility, you can enjoy gaming more freely across multiple devices,” it explained.
Controllers can be paired by pressing a combination of the PS button and one of the action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, or square), which assigns a device to a chosen “slot”. Once devices are registered, users can switch between them by pressing the PS button and the corresponding action button. The light bar will also light up, with the indicator’s lights blinking according to the slot number.
Here’s a table laying things out for you:
| Slot number | Button used | Player indicator lights | Connected Device (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | PS button and Triangle button | One light on | PS5 |
| Slot 2 | PS button and Circle button | Two lights on | PS5 Pro |
| Slot 3 | PS button and Cross button | Three lights on | Windows PC |
| Slot 4 | PS button and Square button | Four lights on | iPhone |
Beta access for this new feature is, for now, limited to invited participants. However, Sony will be rolling it out globally “in the coming months”, so stay tuned. Personally, I am very much looking forward to it.
You can find full details about the simultaneous pairing update, as well as information on a new mode for games known as Power Saver, via the PlayStation Blog.