How to connect a PS4 controller to your tablet (all possibilities)

In this tutorial we want to show you the different possibilities that exist to connect a Play Station 4 remote (DualShock 4) for fire Android tablet or iPad. Some require root access or jailbreak in the case of Apple tablets, but other methods are simpler and do not require great knowledge. Connecting a controller like the PS4 to a tablet is usually one of those things that many want to do (since it is ideal for playing the increasingly better and more complex titles on mobile devices), but they often do not know the steps to follow or They do not dare.

Although game developers have made efforts to improve the implementation of the touch controls, these cannot in any case come close to the experience offered by a controller in hand. With the improvement of titles for mobile platforms due to their increased power, especially tablets that are often the preferred devices for gaming, the need to connect a remote control to this equipment has become more frequent among users than a few years ago. That is why we will try to help you with this tutorial that covers several possibilities. We started.

Micro USB OTG

This is the simplest option and the most recommended for tablet users with Android operating system. It just takes advantage of the capabilities of the DualShock 4, which, like previous Sony controllers, is compatible with devices via the USB connection. We will only need a USB OTG (On-The-Go) cable with two male endings. This cable allows one of the devices, in this case the tablet, to act as the HOST of the other, the PS4 controller.

We won't need anything more than that just connect both devices they will be linked and we can use the controller to play a large part of the titles. And beware, a large part does not mean all, since the game must allow this type of control. There are many who already allow it but there are always exceptions, there we can do nothing more than wait for the next version to be updated with this compatibility.

Bluetooth

The problem with the cable connection is none other than placing the tablet so that it is comfortable to use and is fixed. For this they have invented gadgets that use a stand for the controller itself, making it almost a portable console. But it is not ideal, it would certainly be a wireless connection that allows greater mobility. The point is that things get complicated here.

In many cases it works simply by linking the tablet and the controller as if it were any other device. To do this, we must press the "PS" and "Share" buttons of the command while we look for Bluetooth devices nearby from the tablet settings. When the DualShock 4 lights start flashing, we choose the option that will appear in the search and they will be connected. This connection is not always produced in the best way, it is common for them to be linked without connecting (in this case try several times), and even if they did connect, their functionality is quite limited and only some games recognize the controller.

In the full connectivity, It is necessary to root the Android device and follow the steps that we detail in this tutorial. Although it is explained for a PS3 controller, the procedure is the same and we should not encounter additional barriers.

Remote Play

The third option is somewhat different and exclusive for Sony Xperia models (although if you investigate they have managed to take it to other devices as well). Thanks to the Remote Play application that we can download at Google Play, we use the tablet as the display of the Play Station 4. We must connect both the console and the tablet in question to the same WiFi network, and enter the application. We can enjoy the titles that we have installed on our PS4 throughout the house thanks to our tablet and the DualShock 4 controller.

iPad

Although the options are more limited for iPad users, they also exist after Apple implemented with iOS 7 the ability to use a controller. The problem is that official controllers are usually very expensive and worse than the DualShock 4. To use the controller of a PS4 on the iPad we will need the device to have the jailbreak done. From there, we need to download the latest version of the Cydia tweak "Controllers for All", one of the most popular for some time. It is compatible with iOS 7 and iOS 8 and not only on iPad, but also on iPhone and iPod Touch.

Now we will go to Settings - Controllers for All, and we select the PS4 option (it is also available for DualShock 3). Now we must press the opción Pair Controller while press the buttons "Share" and "PS" of the Sony remote. If all went well, we should be able to use it with many of the games.