DS4Windows supported controllers

Compatibility depends on the exact controller model, its USB/Bluetooth identity and the DS4Windows edition.

Controller families at a glance

Controller	Connection	Important detail
DualShock 4	USB, Bluetooth, Sony DS4 adapter	Original DS4Windows controller family
DualSense	USB or Bluetooth	Nexus adds separate local feedback tools
DualSense Edge	USB or Bluetooth	Full rear-stop travel for adaptive resistance tests
DualShock 3	USB; Bluetooth with additional driver stack	DsHidMini DS4Windows mode; build-dependent integration
Switch Pro	USB or Bluetooth	Digital ZL/ZR cannot become true analogue hardware
Joy-Cons	Bluetooth	Joined or separate behaviour depends on settings
Third-party pads	Model-dependent	Exact hardware support matters, not only appearance

Enable the family in your build

In classic DS4Windows, check Settings > Device Options and enable the controller family you want to use. In Nexus, use its controller setup and device options. Reconnect after changing detection settings.

Test a controller in layers

Connect it to Windows and verify that a device appears.
Check that DS4Windows lists the physical controller and reads button presses.
Select a basic profile and confirm virtual output.
Check the game separately, then add hiding if it sees duplicate input.
Only then test model-specific gyro, touchpad, audio or trigger features.

Features do not transfer between controller families

A virtual identity does not add physical hardware. Switch digital triggers cannot measure analogue travel; DualShock 3 has no touchpad; a virtual DualSense does not guarantee native game-trigger passthrough. Pick the guide for your physical controller and the output type your game accepts.

When your model is absent

Record manufacturer, exact model and VID/PID from Windows Device Manager. Check the supported-device list for your actual release. An unsupported replica is not fixed by changing its Bluetooth display name or blindly installing extra drivers.

Sources: Nexus release documentation · Project and screenshot credits. Updated 11 November 2026.