How to use a PS5 controller for Game Pass on PC

If the PS5's DualSense controller is your favorite gamepad choice, you're probably already using it with your Steam games. Valve's platform makes it easy to use any controller you can connect to your PC, unless you sometimes mind mapping certain buttons to suit your preferences. When it comes to Game Pass for PC games, however, things are a little different. By default, Game Pass PC games will only work with an Xbox controller or mouse and keyboard. Fortunately, there's a relatively easy workaround for this, and I'll guide you through the process below.

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Using a PS5 controller for Game Pass on PC with DS4Windows

The easiest way to use your PS5 controller with Game Pass PC games is to download and use the DS4Windows app. It can be searched online, but for convenience, you can just visit the official website with this link. I downloaded the 'Official DS4Windows' option on the 'Downloads' page, and after testing Forza Horizon 6 There was no problem.

Before starting the DS4Windows setup process, connect your PS5 controller to your PC. You can do this by connecting it to your PC via a USB cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

To connect your DualSense controller via Bluetooth, press the Share/Create button (left of the touchpad), and the PlayStation button (between the two analog sticks) at the same time for about five seconds. The light bar will start flashing white/blue rapidly, indicating that the controller is in pairing mode.

Now go to your PC's settings and go to 'Bluetooth & Devices'. With your PC's Bluetooth turned on, go to the 'Add Device' option and then select 'Bluetooth'. In the list of available devices, you should now see 'DualSense Wireless Controller' appear. Click on it, and your PC should immediately connect to your controller.

After you have connected your DualSense controller and downloaded DS4Windows, extract the folder from the zip and click on the 'DS4Windows' application in the folder. Follow the installation instructions and download the required program when you are brought to a screen with the various steps you need to follow (this is step 1).

Later steps on this screen also include programs you can download to remove button prompts within the UI that may not align with your DualSense controller and other things. I chose not to install these, but you can do so if you wish.

Once you have finished the steps on this screen, you can close the window, and DS4Windows will open another window. As long as your DualSense controller is already connected via Bluetooth, you should now see it listed in the window.

After doing this, go to the Xbox app and load the Game Pass PC game you want to play. Your PS5 controller will now work as normal. It's worth noting that the touchpad in the middle of the DualSense controller was automatically mapped as a mouse when I played. Forza Horizon 6 with it. This can be very useful for some games where mouse interaction is required.

Adding non-Steam games to your library

Alternatively, you can choose to add non-Steam games to your Steam library and then use Steam's controller mapping to map the layout of the DualSense controller to the Xbox.

This requires you to download the UWPHook workaround. After doing this, you need to click on 'Load Installed UWP Apps' and then select the Game Pass PC games you want to add to Steam.

Once this is done, right click on the game within Steam that you want to play, select 'Properties' and then go to the 'Controller' option. You should now see an underlined 'Controller Configurator' option that you can click to map your DualSense's inputs to your preferences.

Personally, I found the DS4Windows option a bit more straightforward, but if you want to show your Game Pass PC games on Steam, then the UWPHooks option might be a better option for you.