How to Use a PS4 Controller on Steam
Playing games on Steam with a PS4 controller is remarkably easy: Plug the controller into your PC, and you’re good to go. With a little extra work, you can even play wirelessly and change the button mapping to your liking. Let’s learn how to configure your PS4 controller with Steam properly.
How to Connect PS4 Controller to Steam
Before you start using your PS4 controller with Steam, there are some preliminary actions you should take, including making sure you have the latest version of the Steam client. Follow these steps:
How to Use a PS4 Controller on Steam Using a Steam Link
If you’re using the Steam Link hardware to play games on your TV, the set up is basically the same, except you must plug the PS4 controller into the Steam Link rather than your PC. The Steam Link will even take care of some configuration steps automatically.
How to Wireless Connect a PS4 Controller to Steam
If you hold down the PS and Share buttons simultaneously on your controller, your PC might automatically detect it via Bluetooth. If it doesn’t, you might need a PS4 DualShock 4 wireless dongle to play wirelessly. Official ones can be purchased from Sony, or you can find one made by another manufacturer. To wirelessly pair the PS4 controller with Steam:
How to Configure In-Game Controls
You should now be able to play most Steam games with your PS4 controller, but you can further customize how your controller works for specific games. Indeed, this step may be necessary for games that primarily rely on keyboard inputs. To edit in-game controller settings, press the PS button on the center of the controller. From the resulting screen, you can map specific keyboard actions to your controller buttons. Most modern games should display the appropriate PlayStation button configuration, but some older games may display an Xbox controller instead. Nonetheless, you should be able to figure out the button mapping and use your PS4 controller with no issues.
How to Navigate Steam With a PS4 Controller
In addition to playing games, you can use your PS4 controller to navigate the Steam platform. For example, you can use the joysticks as a mouse and even enable the controller’s trackpad.
