You will probably agree that one of the most innovative and impressive aspects of the PS5 is its DualSense controller. The controller does not just look and feel great, but it’s packed with amazing features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a built-in microphone— we bet you knew this already.

However, there are still many lesser-known yet useful things about the DualSense controller that you might not be aware of. This article will explore some of these secret features, so you can get the most out of your PS5 gaming experience.

1. Factory Reset

While you will not need to factory reset your PS5 controller when it works properly, at some point, you might encounter problems that will require you to do so. For example, you might have trouble connecting your controller to the PS5 via Bluetooth, some buttons might become unresponsive, or you might experience the dreadful thumbstick drift.

Luckily, you can fix the PS5 controller drift and other common issues by simply performing a factory reset. All you need is a safety pin or paper clip to do this. First, turn off your DualSense controller and then use the safety pin to press and hold the reset button, located in the tiny hole at the back of the controller, for about five seconds.

2. Change the Removable Faceplate

If you don’t like how your DualSense controller looks or want to add your touch, you’ll be happy to know that you can swap out the black removable faceplates. Several third-party companies sell replacement faceplates in different colors and designs, so you can easily find something that suits your needs.

You can use a pry tool to remove the old faceplate and snap on the new one. All you need to do is insert the pry tool in the tiny gap at the controller’s base between the faceplate and the controller body and gently twist it until the faceplate pops off.

3. Put Your Controller in Pair Mode

You know your DualSense controller uses Bluetooth to connect to the PS5, but chances are you don’t know how to put it in pair mode, considering you have been using its cable to pair it with your console. Putting your DualSense controller in pair mode lets you connect it to your PS5 if you don’t have a cable lying around or to other compatible devices like your PC, iPhone, or Android device.

To do this, simply press and hold the PlayStation and Create buttons simultaneously until the controller’s light starts flashing. Your controller is now in pair mode and ready to be connected to another device.

4. Assign Custom Buttons

You can remap your DualSense controller’s buttons to suit your gaming style or for specific games. For example, if you are playing a first-person shooter and want to swap your R1 and R2 buttons, you can adjust that in the Settings menu.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Custom Button Assignments > Enable Custom Button Assignments. From here, select Customize Button Assignments to remap your controller buttons or flip your analog sticks around by enabling Switch the Left and Right Analog Sticks.

You can restore the button layout to its default settings by selecting Reset in the Custom Button Assignments menu.

5. Mute All System Audio

PS5 Controller Muted Mic

Your DualSense controller has a built-in microphone that you can use for voice chat or issue commands to your PS5. We bet you already know you can use the Mute button to mute your microphone, but did you know that you can also use it to mute all system audio?

If, for some reason, you want to play your games in silence, or you need a break from all the noise, simply press and hold the Mute button to mute all system audio. This will disable all sound from your TV, speakers, or headphones.

Screenshot showing how to mute the microphone on a PS5 controller

While we are on the Mute button, you should know your microphone is on by default, which is not ideal given you need to remember to mute it each time you power your PS5 on. To avoid broadcasting your conversations whenever you forget to tap the Mute button, one of the first things you should do with your PS5 is mute your DualSense controller’s microphone by default by going to Settings > Sound > Microphone > Microphone Status When Logged In and selecting Mute.

6. Turn Your Controller Off Without the Console

So, how do most people turn off their PS5 controllers? By pressing the PS button, going to Accessories, and selecting the Controller they want to turn off, right? But you don’t want to be like most people, and you’d like to know how to turn off your DualSense controller without navigating through any menu.

It’s pretty simple! All you need to do is press and hold the PS button on your PS5 controller for about 10 seconds. So, why would you want to waste 10 seconds when you can turn it off more quickly using the console? This comes in handy when using your DualSense controller on other devices like your smartphone or PC.

7. The Subtle DualSense’s Controller Texture

Picture showing the symbols on the DualSense controller

We bet you haven’t spotted this yet, but your DualSense controller has thousands of PlayStation symbols consisting of triangles, squares, crosses, and circles predominantly found on the back of your controller. This is a subtle yet visually appealing way to make your DualSense controller stand out from all the other controllers.

However, it’s not just an aesthetic choice; the texture adds grip and comfort when gaming. So, if your hands tend to slip off when sweating or during prolonged gaming sessions, this subtle texture will help reduce such occurrences. Sadly, it’s also a magnet for dirt, so don’t forget to clean your DualSense controller the right way.

8. The DualSense Has a Larger Battery Compared to Its Predecessor

You will be glad to know that your DualSense controller has a larger battery than its predecessor. This helps to accommodate all its advanced features, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.

This means it won’t necessarily translate to longer gaming sessions, especially if you are using all its advanced features. However, there are a few things you can do to save battery life on your DualSense controller. For instance, you reduce the vibration intensity, disable adaptive triggers, or set your controller to turn off automatically after a certain period of inactivity.

Become a DualSense Controller Power User With These Tips

The PS5 controller is probably the best gaming controller Sony has ever made, with plenty of features you can take advantage of.

You can leverage all these features and maximize your gaming experience by following the tips we’ve covered above. And if you fancy more customization options, consider getting the DualSense Edge controller.