Preliminary information
Before even getting to the heart of the matter and explaining, in practice, how to connect PS4 controller to iPhone without jailbreak, let me give you some more information about the conditions under which this can happen.
As you certainly already know, until recently, it was possible to connect the DualShock 4 to the iPhone exclusively by resorting to the jailbreak: in detail, it was necessary to use a Cydia tweak to overcome the restrictions imposed by iOS (which, for your information, is the name of the operating system "on board" of the iPhones).
With iOS 13However, things have changed: starting from this version of the operating system, in fact, it is possible to pair the iPhone and the DualShock 4 controller using Bluetooth, using the very simple procedure provided by the operating system, which does not requires unlocks or modifications in any way.
Therefore, for the connection to be established, it is sufficient that the iPhone in question is at least updated to iOS 13: the update in question is available for iPhone 6s and later and can be installed by putting into practice the instructions provided in this tutorial.
Where the smartphone is not compatible with iOS 13, you can circumvent the obstacle by purchasing one specific controller with official Apple MFI certification, which can be paired easily via Bluetooth (the result, however, varies greatly depending on the type of game used).
How to connect PS4 controller to iPhone without jailbreaking
Were you able to update your iPhone to iOS 13? Very good! In this case, you will be pleased to know that pairing the "iPhone by" and the DualShock 4 controller is really a breeze. Do not you believe it? Then let me show you.
To begin with, set the PS4 pad in "pairing" mode, so as to allow the smartphone to detect it without problems: after having turned off completely the controller (by holding down the key PS until the LED goes out), turn it back on by pressing and holding the keys PS e Shareuntil the central LED starts flashing rapidly.
When this happens (a sign that the pad has entered pairing mode), grab yours iPhone, tap the icon of Settings of iOS (it's the one in the shape ofgear, located on the Home screen), access the section Bluetooth and make sure the toggle at the top of the screen is set to ON, otherwise you do it.
Now, wait for it, in the list of detected devices, the item relating to the PS4 pad appears (eg. DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller), tap his name And that's it! Starting now, you can use the pad to control apps and games that support it.
To disconnect / unpair the PS4 controller from the iPhone, go to the menu Settings> Bluetooth iOS, tap the button (I) corresponding to the name of the DualShock 4 and choose if Disconnect o Dissociate the pad completely, using the next screen.
If you need to pair the DS4 with the PlayStation again, return it to pairing mode, as I explained earlier, and connect it to the console using its USB cable. For further explanations, I urge you to consult my generic guide on how to connect the PS4 controller, in which I have shown you, in detail, the steps to take to succeed in the enterprise on various devices.
How to use PS4 controller on iPhone
Once connected between the iPhone and the PS4 controller, you can use the latter to control apps and games with DS4 support, or to take advantage of the system Remote Play Sony, which allows you to play the titles on the PlayStation 4 via the screen of the mobile phone.
Games for iOS
As for managing the PS4 pad within games (and apps) for iOS, you need to know that, in most cases, there is an in-game (or in-app) section designed specifically for this purpose.
For example, to create this guide, I used Asphalt 9: Legends as a reference, a title compatible without problems with the various controllers that can be associated with the iPhone, including that of the PlayStation 4.
By default, in this title it is possible to use the directional arrows and / or the left analogue to move between the available options, activate the car panoramic view, using the right analogue, and use the keys. "X" e "O", respectively, to confirm a choice and go back.
Asphalt 9: Legend also has an area specifically dedicated to the management of commands, which allows you to choose between two different modes of use (touchdrive gamepad e manual controller): you can access it by touching the button (I.e. located in the upper right corner of the main game screen and then going to the sections Settings e commands.
The methods of use of the DualShock 4 and any settings for the mapping of the keys, however, change from game to game: to receive information about a specific title, I suggest you rely on the guide of the latter, or search on Google more detailed information, using terms like "controller configuration [game / app name] iPhone".
PS4 Remote Play
A very different question, however, concerns Remote Play, that is the game system designed by Sony that activates the playback of games on the PS4, through the display of the mobile phone.
By doing this, you can use your iPhone (and the previously paired PS4 pad) to play games saved on the console, not only when you are away from the console, but also when you are away from home.
For this to happen, however, the PS4 must be turned on - since the game is processed through the "engine" on board the console -, connected to the Internet, configured for remote control and ignition and activated as a PlayStation principal. So, if you haven't done so yet, follow the steps below to get your console ready for Remote Play.
- Connect the PS4 to the internet, by going to the toolbar top and selecting the icon Settings. From there, move on to the item Network, press the button X of the pad, choose the option Set up Internet connection and follow the procedure that is proposed to you to configure the type of network you prefer, between Wi-Fi or with LAN cable.
- Activate the remote playback, by accessing the section Settings> Remote Play Connection Settings of the PS4 and placing the check mark next to the item Enable remote play.
- Activate the Internet connection e remote ignition for sleep mode, by navigating in the menu Settings> Power Saving Settings> Set the functions available in sleep mode and apponi il segno di spunta accanto alle caselle Stay connected to the internet e Enable power on of PS4 from network.
- Set the PS4 as main system, by going to Settings> Account Management> Activate as Primary PS4 and selecting, if required, the option Attiva in the next section.
Once you have prepared the PS4 for Remote Play and connected the controller to the iPhone via Bluetooth, as I showed you previously, install the app PS4 Remote Play on your "iPhone by" downloading it from the App Store (it's free). Make sure, before proceeding with the next configuration, that the phone is connected to the same network on which the PS4 is connected: I recommend that you do this to simplify the pairing process between the two devices.
When you're done, launch the app, tap on the buttons starts e Confirm and continue, enter your account credentials in the text boxes that are proposed to you PSN e tocca il pulsating Log in, to match your profile to the app. For more information on the steps just shown, you can check out my guide on how to access PlayStation Network.
Once the login is complete, wait for the app to perform one scan of the Wi-Fi network and that it automatically detects (and configures) your PlayStation 4. If this does not happen (if, for example, you are connected to a different network or if automatic recognition fails), tap the button Register manually located at the bottom right and enter the identification code of your console.
If you don't know it, you can retrieve it by returning to the PS4 and accessing the menu Settings> Remote Play Connection Setup e Add device. Once in this section, write down the code displayed on the screen, enter it in the Remote Play app and tap the button Register, to complete the association.
The game is practically done! Now, all you have to do is access the library of the PS4, available in the Remote Play app, and run the game of your choice. By default, you can control the game through the previously paired DS4. If, for some reason, the controller is not paired correctly, you will see the display appear on the i screen instead touch-screen controls virtual.
If you need further clarification regarding the use of the Remote Play function, I urge you to consult the specific guide I have dedicated to the subject.
How to connect PS4 controller to iPhone without jailbreak
