9 DualSense Features Most PS5 Owners Never Touch
The PS5 controller does a lot more than vibrate. From trigger tuning to custom button layouts, these settings make the DualSense more comfortable, quieter and longer-lasting.
The DualSense is one of the best controllers Sony has made. Its haptics and adaptive triggers are the most obvious tricks, but there's a lot more in the PS5 settings that most players never open.
Here are nine features worth a few minutes of your time. Exact menu names can shift slightly between system updates, but everything below lives in the PS5's Settings menu or the Control Center you get by tapping the PS button.
1. Turn the trigger resistance down (or up)
Adaptive triggers are great in a racing game and tiring in a long shooter session. Under the controller settings you'll find trigger effect intensity. Turn it down if your fingers get tired, or off if you want the fastest possible trigger pull in competitive games. Many games also have their own trigger settings, so check both.
2. Tune the vibration intensity
Same idea for haptics. If the rumble feels like too much, especially late at night, lower the vibration intensity instead of turning it off. You keep the detail of the haptics without the buzz.
3. Silence the controller speaker
The built-in speaker is a fun touch, but some players find it distracting. You can lower its volume in the controller sound settings, which is handy if you play late with someone asleep nearby.
4. Dim the light bar
The glow around the touchpad can be distracting in a dark room and reflects on some screens. You can dim the controller indicators to make them less noticeable.
5. Make the controller switch itself off
By default your controller can stay on long after you stop playing. In the Power Saving settings, set a time for controllers to turn off when idle. It saves battery and means the controller isn't flat when you next pick it up.
6. Customise the Create button
The Create button captures screenshots and clips, and you can change what a press, a long press or a double press does. If you save a lot of highlights, set things up so the action you use most needs the fewest presses.
7. Remap any button you like
Under Accessibility, the PS5 offers custom button assignments at system level. Swap any two buttons, or turn off ones you keep pressing by accident. It's built for accessibility, and it's also useful for anyone who wants a layout a game doesn't offer. Remember it applies everywhere until you switch it off.
8. Plug headphones straight into the controller
The DualSense has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Plug in any wired headset and you'll get game and chat audio without extra cables to the console. It's the easiest upgrade over TV speakers for hearing footsteps in Call of Duty or Fortnite.
9. Use it beyond the PS5
The DualSense isn't locked to your console:
- PC: it connects over USB-C or Bluetooth, and many PC games and launchers support it, some with full haptics and adaptive triggers over a wired connection.
- Phones and tablets: it pairs over Bluetooth for mobile games and cloud gaming.
- Remote Play: stream your PS5 to another device and keep playing with the controller you know.
Bonus: take care of the hardware
A few habits keep your controller healthy:
- Use a decent USB-C cable or a charging stand so you aren't hunting for cables mid-session.
- Keep the console updated. Controller firmware updates arrive through system updates and can fix bugs or improve performance.
- Clean the sticks occasionally. Dust and grime around the thumbsticks are a common cause of drift complaints. A gentle clean won't fix every case, but it's worth trying first.
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