Many players we work with are unable to access PS5 games on their PS5 console using the DualSense controller and require alternative devices such as a DualShock 4 controller or an Xbox Adaptive Controller to play. Normally at SpecialEffect we would access consoles with alternative controllers directly using adapters (such as the Titan Two), but this is not currently possible for many PS5 games, which require a DualSense controller to be used to play. *Update 06/09/23 – there are now alternative options to using Remote Play, if this is not suitable. Please use the ‘PS4 Access‘ tag to explore these on the site.
This post will show you how to control your PS5 via a PC using the PS Remote Play app enabling you to use a preferred controller or combined controllers not supported by the PS5 directly, to play PS5 games.
The PS Remote Play app communicates from your PC to your PS5 over Wi-Fi and we will use reWASD software to enable alternative and additional controllers to be used. To use just a DualShock 4 controller, you will not need the reWASD software as it is natively supported by the PS Remote Play app when connected to the PC using a USB cable. This post has a corresponding post for using a similar set up using a Titan Two device instead of using the reWASD software: https://gameaccess.info/ps5-games-with-alternative-controllers–ps-remote-play-x-titan-two/
Whilst the PS Remote Play app was created to allow you to stream your PlayStation console to your PC screen, you can still play using your PS5’s connected TV screen as normal. Please note, the PS Remote Play app relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection. However, the software is free so you can test how it runs. The reWASD software we use is paid for, but a 14-day trial is available, allowing you to try this combination for free first, too.
The information in this post is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing (December 2021).
Step 1. Set up your PS5 Console
- From the Home Screen, select Settings>System>Remote Play>Enable Remote Play (move slider to right). Using a wired connection to connect the console to the internet can help stabilise the connection to PS Remote Play.
The video below shows these steps:
Step 2. Install and Test Run PS Remote Play App
- Install PS Remote Play software from https://remoteplay.dl.playstation.net/remoteplay/lang/en/index.html
- Select Control your PS5 console from a Windows PC and scroll down to select a tick box and then select Download.
- Open the PS Remote Play app on PC.
- You can lower the resolution to 360p via the settings cog icon to save bandwidth as we are using PS5’s TV not PC stream to view the game. In addition, using a wired connection for the internet can help stabilise connection to PS Remote Play.
- Select the console name (on the blue button) that you would like to connect to (the first-time connection can take a few minutes).
- Once connected, a message will appear on the PS5 screen. At this point, a DualShock 4 controller will be supported to play PS5 games when connected to your PC via a USB cable. See step 3 below for how to connect additional and alternative controllers.
The video below shows these steps:
Step 3. Install and Use reWASD Software
- If you would like to use additional or alternative controllers to the natively supported DualShock 4 controller via PS Remote Play you can use reWASD software. To try this, install reWASD from https://www.rewasd.com (free 14-day trial available).
- Open reWASD software and connect a controller to PC (e.g. DualShock 4 or XAC), select its icon from the bottom left list if needed and select the three lines in the top right corner of the screen. Choose PS4 Remote Play (this works for PS5 too) and select Apply. Please note – an XAC will appear as a standard Xbox One controller icon.
- To use multiple controllers simultaneously, link them using the small + icon next to one of the controllers you are using from the bottom left list and add additional controllers using the drop downs in the pop-up window. Close the window and make sure to select Apply in the top left.
The video below shows these steps:
Step 4. Run PS Remote Play with reWASD
- Open the PS Remote Play app on your PC.
- Select the console you would like to connect to in the app.
- Once connected a message will appear on the PS5 screen and the console will stream to the PS Remote Play window on your PC.
- The reWASD software should automatically run in the background (no need to be open) to enable controllers to work when PS Remote Play is open. Games will appear in a window on your PC but can be played also by using your PS5’s connected TV. All corresponding controls on a compatible controller should work. For some controllers the PS Home button may not be available, so the virtual one in PS Remote Play will need to be used instead (use a mouse to press or hold the icon in PS Remote Play window on your PC).
The video above shows these steps from 1:10.
We hope this post is useful in enabling you to try out this method of playing PS5 games with alternative controllers. For more information on alternative input devices for playing video games, use the Hardware and Software categories filters on the GameAccess.info website:
Hardware: https://gameaccess.info/?fwp_categories=equipment
