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Elite Edition

What wireless controllers work with PS3?

Author

Matthew Wilson

Published Mar 02, 2026

What wireless controllers work with PS3?

PlayStation 4 controllers will work with a PlayStation 3 console, and when you use a wired connection, there is no setup involved. You can also pair a PS4 controller to a PS3 for a wireless connection, though the process of connecting the two devices is more involved.

Can you use wireless controllers with PS3?

To operate as a wireless controller, our wireless controllers require the use of their included USB Controller Adapter. Insert the USB Controller Adaptor into any available USB port on the PS3™ console. Press the “Connect” button on the USB Controller Adaptor. The LED light will begin flash rapidly.

How do you connect wireless controller to PS3?

How to Sync a Controller to a Playstation 3 Console

  1. Turn on your PlayStation 3.
  2. Connect a mini USB cable to your controller.
  3. Connect the other end of the cable to your PS3.
  4. Push the PlayStation button in the middle of the controller to turn it on.
  5. Wait for the lights on the controller to stop flashing.

Can you use any Bluetooth controller with PS3?

Typically, any Bluetooth enabled devices can be connected to any other Bluetooth devices wirelessly. But in the case of the PS3 controller, you will have to plug in the controller to the console or a PC to pair wirelessly for the first time paring. It is known as syncing the controller to the other device.

Why won’t my controller connect to my PS3?

Confirm that the console is powered “ON,” and make sure you have properly charged the wireless battery in the controller prior to use, or connect it to the USB Adapter using a USB cable. If the controller continues to have connection issue, use the controller’s reset button and then re-sync to your PS3.

How do you connect a wireless PS3 controller without USB?

As long as the controller’s battery is charged, it can be connected by simply pressing the PlayStation button and waiting. The four LEDs at the top – generally used to designate controller number – will blink briefly as the DualShock 3 searches for nearby devices it can connect to.

Can I use my phone as a PlayStation controller?

Install [PS Remote Play] on your mobile device, such as an Android™ smartphone or tablet, iPhone digital mobile device, or iPad digital mobile device, and then connect to your PS4 console.

Can I use my phone as a PS3 controller?

Thanks to an app that turns an Android phone into a more universal Bluetooth device, it is possible to control a PS3 with your Android phone as though it were a Bluetooth remote control. BlueputDroid isthe first app to allow a smartphone to pair up with the PS3 as an input device.

Does PS3 controller work on PS4?

PlayStation 3 controllers are not compatible with the PlayStation 4 by default; however, with the proper hardware and software, figuring out how to connect a PS3 controller to a PS4 console is pretty straightforward. These instructions apply exclusively to the official Sony DualShock 3 and SixAxis controllers.