This wikiHow teaches you how to wirelessly connect a PS3 controller to a PS3 machine, and how to use it on a Mac or Windows computer. PS3 controllers can also be used on Android devices, but you'll need to root the device first to do so. When connecting a PS3 controller to any device, make sure you are using a Sony-made controller. You may experience failure if you use a controller made by another company.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Connecting the Controller to PlayStation 3
Step 1. Turn on the PS3 machine
Press the power button located on the front of the console. The PS3 machine should not be in Standby mode when you connect the new controller.
Step 2. Plug the charger cable into the controller
The port (port) for plugging in the cable (which is in the form of a mini-USB) is located on the front of the controller (between the trigger buttons).
Step 3. Plug the other end of the cable into the PS3 machine
The other end of the charging cable must be plugged into the USB port on the front of the PS3 machine.
Depending on the PlayStation model, there are 2 or 4 USB ports on the machine
Step 4. Turn on the controller
Press the PlayStation button in the center of the controller. The light on the front of the controller will flash.
Step 5. Wait until the light on the controller stops flashing
If the light is fully lit and not flashing, it means the controller has synced with the PS3 machine.
An illuminated light indicates which controller is in use (P1, P2, etc.)
Step 6. Disconnect the USB cable from the controller
Now the controller is connected to the PS3 machine wirelessly.
This ability to function wirelessly is only available on official Sony DualShock 3 controllers. On unofficial third-party controllers, you'll need to stick with cables
Step 7. Charge it if the controller doesn't turn on
If the controller turns off immediately after unplugging the cable, it may have run out of power. Plug the controller into a PS3 machine that is powered on for a few hours to charge the battery.
Step 8. Reset the controller if the device still won't sync
If the controller won't sync with your PS3 machine, you may need to reset it. How to do it:
- Flip the controller over, then look for the button Reset located on the back of the top, near the L2 button.
- Press and hold the button Reset using a folded paper clip. You can feel the click while doing it.
- Keep holding the button Reset for at least 2 seconds, then remove the paper clip.
- Try connecting and syncing the controller again.
Method 2 of 3: Connecting the Controller to Windows
Step 1. Make sure you are using a Sony certified controller and charging cable
The program that will be used to connect the PS3 controller to the computer will only work properly if you use a Sony DualShock 3 controller that is connected to the computer via the charger cable for the PS3 controller.
While it's possible that a controller made by another company will work (or you can use a Sony controller wirelessly), the only guaranteed way to successfully connect a PS3 controller to Windows is to use a Sony certified controller and charging cable
Step 2. Unplug the PlayStation 3 machine
If there is a PS3 machine within reach of the controller, unplug the machine from the power source to prevent the controller from being accidentally connected to it.
Step 3. Reset the controller
Use a folded paper clip to press the button Reset hidden at the bottom of the controller. This is to prevent the controller from experiencing the problems that have occurred during syncing with other devices before.
Step 4. Turn on the controller
Press the PlayStation button in the center of the controller. The light on the controller will flash.
Due to an error on some Windows computers, you must first turn on the controller before connecting it to the computer
Step 5. Connect the controller to the computer
Plug the small end of the charging cable into the PS3 controller, then plug the other end into one of the USB ports on the computer.
Step 6. Download the SCP Toolkit
This program allows Windows to use PS3 controllers.
- Visit the SCP Toolkit site in a web browser.
- Click ScpToolkit_Setup.exe located under the " Assets " heading.
- Wait for the file to finish downloading.
Step 7. Install the SCP Toolkit program
How to do it:
- Double click the setup file.
- Click Yes when requested.
-
Follow the instructions given until the button appears Install, then click the button.
Maybe you should click some buttons Install different.
- If you are prompted to install a prerequisite program (a prerequisite program, i.e. a program that must be installed for the main program to work), click Next until the prerequisite programs start to be installed.
- Click Finish when requested.
Step 8. Run the "SCPToolkitDriver" installer program
Run the program by double-clicking its application icon on the desktop.
Step 9. Disable unwanted options
Uncheck the "Install DualShock4 Controller" and "Bluetooth" boxes, as well as any other options you don't want to use.
If you are not familiar with any of the other checkboxes not mentioned here, it is a good idea to leave them checked
Step 10. Click the "Choose DualShock 3 Controllers to Install" box
This box is on the right side of the window.
Step 11. Check the "Wireless Controller" option
You can see a list of all the devices installed on your computer (eg keyboard, mouse, webcam, etc.). Here, your PS3 controller will be an option that says "Wireless Controller (Interface [number])".
The [number] section indicates the USB port currently used by the controller
Step 12. Click Install which is located on the right side of the window
The SCP Toolkit will start installing the controller driver.
A confirmation sound will be heard after the installation is complete. At this point, you should be able to use your PS3 controller to play compatible games
Method 3 of 3: Connecting the Controller to Mac
Step 1. Turn off and unplug the PS3 machine from the power source
If you have a PS3 machine that you normally play with the controller you want to sync, turn it off and unplug it from the power source. This is to prevent the machine from accidentally starting up while you're syncing the controller with your Mac computer.
Step 2. Reset the controller
Use a folded paper clip to press the button Reset hidden at the bottom of the controller. This is to prevent the controller from experiencing the problems that have occurred during syncing with other devices before.
This action is optional, but highly recommended
Step 3. Open Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the top left corner. A drop-down menu will be displayed.
Step 4. Click the System Preferences… option in the drop-down menu
The System Preferences window will open.
Step 5. Click Bluetooth
Bluetooth icon
located in the middle of the System Preferences menu.
If this option is not present, return to the main System Preferences menu by clicking the button ⋮⋮⋮⋮.
Step 6. Click Turn Bluetooth On
This button is on the left side of the page. This will enable Bluetooth on the Mac computer.
When the button says Turn Bluetooth Off, means Bluetooth has been activated.
Step 7. Connect the PS3 controller to the Mac computer
Plug the small end of the charging cable (the cable that came with the PS3 controller) into the charging port on the controller, then plug the other end of the cable into the Mac's USB port.
If your Mac only has a USB-C port (oval shape), not a USB 3.0 port (rectangle), purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter for Mac so you can continue the process. You can buy these adapters online or at computer and electronics stores
Step 8. Let the controller charge first if necessary
If the controller has not been charged, allow the controller to charge for about 30 minutes before you continue the process of setting up a Bluetooth connection.
Step 9. Press and hold the PlayStation button for 2 seconds
The button is in the center of the controller. Once you do that, the light on the top of the controller will flash.
Step 10. Unplug the controller, then wait while the device is syncing
After a few seconds have elapsed, this PS3 controller will appear in the list with the status " Connected ".
Step 11. Enter 0000 as the passcode when prompted
If your Mac asks for a passcode for the controller, type 0000, then click Pair. This is usually not necessary if you're using a newer Mac.
Step 12. Set the controller when you play the game
If your PS3 controller is connected to your Mac via Bluetooth, you can use it to play games that support gamepads. You may have to manually set the controller buttons to play the game. How to do this will vary depending on the game you are playing.
Step 13. Done
Tips
- Update the PlayStation 3 to resolve some connection issues on the controller.
- Try using another PS3 controller (also Sony brand), if you always fail to connect the controller to the console or computer. If the other controllers are working fine, maybe the first controller is faulty.
