You’ll probably agree that one of the most innovative and impressive aspects of the PS5 is its DualSense controller. The controller not only looks and feels great, but is packed with awesome features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone; We bet you already knew.
However, there are still a lot of lesser known but useful things about the DualSense controller that you might not be aware of. This article will explore some of these secret features, so you can get the most out of your PS5 gaming experience.
1. Factory reset
While you won’t need to factory reset your PS5 controller when it’s working properly, at some point, you may encounter issues that require you to do so. For example, you may have trouble connecting your controller to the PS5 via Bluetooth, some buttons may become unresponsive, or you may experience terrible joystick drift.
Fortunately, you can fix PS5 controller drift and other common problems simply by performing a factory reset. All you need is a safety pin or paper clip to do this. First, turn off your DualSense controller, and then use the safety pin to press and hold the reset button, located in the small hole on the back of the controller, for about five seconds.
2. Change the removable faceplate
If you don’t like the way your DualSense controller looks or want to add your touch, you’ll be happy to know that you can swap out the black removable faceplates. Various third-party companies sell replacement faceplates in different colors and designs, so you can easily find something to suit your needs.
You can use a pry tool to remove the old faceplate and fit the new one. All you need to do is insert the pry tool into the small gap at the base of the controller between the faceplate and the body of the controller and gently twist it until the faceplate pops out.
3. Put your controller in pairing mode
You know your DualSense controller uses Bluetooth to connect to the PS5, but you probably don’t know how to put it into pairing mode, considering you’ve been using your cable to pair it to your console. Putting your DualSense controller into pairing mode allows you to connect it to your PS5 if you don’t have a cable lying around, or to other compatible devices like your PC, iPhone, or Android device.
To do this, simply hold down the PlayStation and Create buttons simultaneously until the light on the controller starts blinking. Your controller is now in pairing mode and ready to connect to another device.
4. Assign custom buttons
You can remap the buttons on your DualSense controller to suit your gaming style or for specific games. For example, if you are playing a first person shooter game and you want to swap the R1 and R2 buttons, you can adjust this in the settings menu.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Custom button mappings > Enable custom button mappings. From here select Customize button assignments to remap your controller’s buttons or flip your analog sticks by enabling Switch left and right analog sticks.
You can restore the button layout to its default setting by selecting Restart in it Custom Button Assignments menu.
5. Mute all system audio
Your DualSense controller has a built-in microphone that you can use to voice chat or send commands to your PS5. We bet you already know that you can use the Mute button to mute your microphone, but did you know that you can also use it to mute all system audio?
If, for whatever reason, you want to play your games quietly or need a break from all the noise, just hold the button Mute button to mute all system audio. This will disable all sound from your TV, speakers, or headphones.
While we’re on the mute button, you should know that your microphone is on by default, which isn’t ideal given that you have to remember to mute it every time you turn on your PS5. To prevent transmission of your conversations every time you forget to touch the button Mute button, one of the first things you should do with your PS5 is to mute your DualSense controller’s microphone by default by going to Settings > Sound > Microphone > Microphone status at login and selecting Mute.
6. Power off your controller without the console
So how do most people turn off their PS5 controllers? By pressing the button P.S. button, going to Accessoriesand selecting the Cinspector they want to turn off, right? But you don’t want to be like most people and would like to know how to turn off your DualSense controller without navigating any menus.
It’s quite simple! All you need to do is hold down the PS button on your PS5 controller for around 10 seconds. So why would you want to waste 10 seconds when you can turn it off faster using the console? This is useful when you use your DualSense controller on other devices like your smartphone or PC.
7. Subtle DualSense controller texture
We bet you haven’t noticed yet, but your DualSense controller has thousands of PlayStation symbols consisting of triangles, squares, crosses, and circles found predominantly on the back of your controller. This is a subtle yet visually appealing way to make your DualSense controller stand out from all the other controllers.
However, it is not just an aesthetic choice; The texture adds grip and comfort when playing. So if your hands tend to slip when you sweat or during long gaming sessions, this subtle texture will help reduce such occurrences. Unfortunately, it’s also a magnet for dirt, so don’t forget to clean your DualSense controller the right way.
8. The DualSense has a bigger battery compared to its predecessor
You’ll be happy to know that your DualSense controller has a bigger battery than its predecessor. This helps accommodate all of its advanced features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
This means that it won’t necessarily translate to longer gaming sessions, especially if you’re using all of its advanced features. However, there are a few things you can do to save battery life on your DualSense controller. For example, reduce vibration intensity, disable adaptive triggers, or set your controller to automatically turn off after a certain period of inactivity.
Become a DualSense Controller Power User With These Tips
The PS5 controller is probably the best gaming controller Sony has ever made, with plenty of features you can take advantage of.
You can take advantage of all these features and maximize your gaming experience by following the tips we’ve covered above. And if you want more customization options, consider getting the DualSense Edge controller.