Summary
PlayStation 5 owners and players who like thePlayStation 5DualSense controller could see the device gain major functionality, as Sony has announced that the controller will soon support multi-device pairing. The DualSense debuted in 2020 alongside the launch of thePlayStation 5 consoleand currently serves as the main PlayStation controller used across PS5 and PC.
PlayStation’s controller design has stayed remarkably consistent since the introduction of the original PlayStation DualShock back in 1997. The biggest changes arguably came with thePS5 DualSense compared to the DualShock 4, where Sony adopted a distinctive two-tone aesthetic and a different silhouette, but even then, the layout remained nearly identical to the previous generation. Instead, the DualSense distinguished itself through advanced internal components, like haptic feedback on the buttons, triggers, and rumble function, making it a centerpiece of the PS5’s technological suite.
Based on the latest tease from Sony, one ofthe best features of the PS5is about to get better. In a message posted on the official PlayStation Twitter account, Sony announced that the DualSense will receive the ability to pair to multiple devices at once via an update set for release in 2025. Once updated, players should be able to operate multiple devices from a single DualSense controller. For example, after the update, a player might be able to play a game on their PS5, then switch from the console to a PC or mobile device seamlessly. Currently, DualSense controllers need to be unpaired and re-paired if their owners want to switch devices, making the process inconvenient and unwieldy.
Sony Announces Multiple Device Pairing Update for PS5 DualSense Controllers
Sony didn’t say exactly when or how the update will be deployed, other than that it will launch in 2025, and that fans should “stay tuned” for more details. It also did not mention whether the update would also enhance the DualSense Edge, a more customizable and configurable version of the basic DualSense. Sony has historically deployed DualSense functionality upgrades and fixes via downloadable firmware updates. For example, a firmware update in 2022 improved the quality ofhaptic feedback inThe Last of Us Part 2. When applying a DualSense firmware update, players usually need to temporarily connect their DualSense to a PS5 console via USB cable.
Enhancing the pairing functionality of the DualSense shows that Sony acknowledges the growing popularity of the DualSense controller outside the PS5 platform. On PC, enough players prefer using a DualSense as their gamepad on the platform thatSony even added a PC firmware updater app in 2022, allowing DualSense users to update firmware without having to own a PS5.
It’s good to see that Sony’s continuing to improve the DualSense. Despite earlier criticism about the controller’s battery life and susceptibility to experiencing stick drift, the DualSense’s design and advanced features have endeared it to many players and become a centerpiece of the PlayStation brand’s identity in the current generation.
