Connect via Bluetooth in Settings

A PS4 controller connects to your tablet through Bluetooth, the same wireless standard that pairs headphones and speakers. The process takes about two minutes and works on both Android and iPad tablets. You'll use your tablet's settings menu to find and pair the controller, then test it in a game or app to confirm the connection is working.

The controller will stay paired after the first connection, so you won't have to repeat these steps every time you want to use it—just turn on Bluetooth and the controller will reconnect automatically when you power it on.

Key Takeaways

  • PS4 controllers pair through Bluetooth and work with most tablets running Android 5.0 or newer, or any iPad with Bluetooth.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Bluetooth, hold the PS button and Share button together for three seconds until the light flashes, then select the controller from the Bluetooth list.
  • On iPad, the pairing process is identical: Settings > Bluetooth, trigger pairing mode on the controller, then tap it in the available devices list.
  • Once paired, the controller will reconnect automatically when you turn it on and Bluetooth is enabled on your tablet.
  • Not every app supports controller input—check the app description or settings to see if it recognizes the PS4 controller.

Steps for Android Tablets

On an Android tablet, open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. You should see a list of available devices, but the PS4 controller won't appear there yet—you have to put it into pairing mode first.

Hold down the PS button (the center button with the PlayStation symbol) and the Share button (to the left of the touchpad) at the same time for about three seconds. The light bar on the back of the controller will start flashing white, which means it's in pairing mode and searching for a device to connect to. Go back to your tablet's Bluetooth settings and you should now see the PS4 controller listed as an available device. Tap it to pair.

Once you tap it, the pairing should complete in a few seconds. The light bar will stop flashing and stay solid, which means the connection is active. Your tablet may ask you to confirm the pairing—if so, tap yes or confirm. The controller is now ready to use.

Steps for iPad

On an iPad, the pairing process is nearly identical. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn it on if it isn't already. Just as with Android, the PS4 controller won't show up until you put it into pairing mode.

Press and hold the PS button and Share button together for three seconds until the light bar flashes white. Return to your iPad's Bluetooth settings and tap the PS4 controller when it appears in the list of available devices. The pairing will complete in seconds, and the light bar will become solid. Your iPad is now ready to use the controller.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If the controller doesn't appear in your tablet's Bluetooth list after you've held the buttons, try again—sometimes the pairing mode times out after 30 seconds if no device connects. Hold the PS and Share buttons for three seconds again and when ready go back to your tablet's Bluetooth settings to look for it.

If the controller pairs but then disconnects during use, check that Bluetooth is still enabled on your tablet and that you're within normal Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet or less). Some apps don't support PS4 controller input, so if a game or app doesn't respond to the controller, that's a limitation of the app itself, not the connection. Try opening a different app or game to test whether the controller works elsewhere.

If you're having trouble getting the controller into pairing mode, make sure the battery isn't completely dead. Charge the controller for at least 30 minutes using a USB cable, then try the pairing process again. A controller with very low battery may not enter pairing mode reliably.

What Apps and Games Support PS4 Controllers

Not every app on your tablet will recognize a PS4 controller. Games and apps that support it will usually say so in their description on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Many popular games do support it—titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile, and Minecraft all work with PS4 controllers on tablets.

Some apps that don't explicitly mention controller support may still work with one. The best way to find out is to open the app, connect the controller, and try using it. If the app responds to button presses, you're good. If nothing happens, the app straightforward doesn't have controller support built in, and you'll need to use the touchscreen instead.

Streaming apps like PlayStation Remote Play (which lets you play PS4 games on your tablet) and Xbox Game Pass also support PS4 controllers, so if you're interested in playing console games on your tablet, those are solid options to explore.

Keeping Your Controller Charged

PS4 controllers charge via a standard USB-C cable (the same type used by many modern phones and tablets). Connect the cable to the port on the bottom of the controller and plug the other end into a power adapter or your tablet's USB port. A full charge takes about two hours and gives you roughly 8 to 10 hours of play time, depending on how much you use the vibration and light features.

If you use the controller frequently, charge it overnight or whenever the battery gets low. A controller left completely drained for weeks may have trouble holding a charge, so try to avoid letting it sit dead for extended periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a PS4 controller with multiple tablets at once?

No. A PS4 controller can only be paired to one device at a time. If you want to use it with a different tablet, you'll need to unpair it from the first device and pair it with the second. To unpair, go to your tablet's Bluetooth settings, find the controller in the list of paired devices, and select "forget" or "unpair".

Will a PS5 controller work with my tablet instead?

Yes. PS5 controllers pair the same way as PS4 controllers and work with Android tablets and iPads. The pairing process is identical—hold the PS button and Create button (the PS5 equivalent of Share) for three seconds until the light flashes, then select it in Bluetooth settings.

What if my tablet doesn't have Bluetooth?

Most modern tablets have Bluetooth built in, but if yours doesn't, you won't be able to connect a PS4 controller wirelessly. Some very old or budget tablets may lack Bluetooth entirely. Check your tablet's specifications or settings to confirm whether Bluetooth is available.

Do I need an app to connect the controller?

No. The connection happens entirely through your tablet's built-in Bluetooth settings. You don't need to read anything or create an account. Once the controller is paired, you can use it when ready in any app that supports it.

Can I use the PS4 controller's touchpad on my tablet?

The touchpad works as a trackpad or mouse pointer in some apps, but most games treat it as a regular button. It depends on how the individual app is designed. Gaming apps typically don't use the touchpad feature, but some productivity or media apps might recognize it as a pointing device.