How to connect DualShock 4 to Xiaomi devices: all the ways + mistake-making

Why DualShock 4 doesn’t work with Xiaomi like it does with PlayStation – and what to do about it

The gamepad DualShock 4 from Sony has long ceased to be exclusive to the PlayStation 4 consoles. USB-Connect it can be used with Xiaomi devices - from smartphones Redmi Note 12 Pro+ before Mi TVs TV Q2. But here’s the catch: Connection is often accompanied by errors, input delays, or broken buttons. Xiaomi doesn’t optimize its devices for gamepads by default, and the protocol is not optimized for gamepads. HID (DualShock 4 can be used to conflict with branded shells MIUI or PatchWall.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of connecting – from standard Bluetooth connection to the use of specialized applications like Octopus or Mantis Gamepad. Particular attention will be paid to the unique problem of Xiaomi smartphones on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), where the gamepad can shut down in 5-10 minutes due to energy-saving algorithms.

Method 1: Connecting DualShock 4 to Xiaomi over Bluetooth (basic method)

This is the easiest way that works on most Xiaomi devices. POCO X5 Pro up to Mi Pad 6. However, it has limitations: for example, in some games (for example, Call of Duty: Mobile), buttons can be misdefined, and analog sticks can work with a delay.

To connect the gamepad:

1. Activate the pairing mode on DualShock 4: press the buttons PS + Share for 3 seconds until the indicator flashes white quickly.
2. On Xiaomi device, go to Settings → Bluetooth and enable search for new devices.
3. Find the Wireless Controller (sometimes displayed as a Wireless Controller) DUALSHOCK®4) and press “Connect».
4. Confirm the pairing - the blue indicator should light up on the gamepad (if the connection was successful).

⚠️ Important: On Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi) TV A2 43′′ after connection, you may need to reboot to make the gamepad work in games. Also check that the Bluetooth settings disable the Power Saving for connected devices - otherwise DualShock 4 will shut down after a few minutes of inactivity.

Gamepad determined in the settings of Bluetooth|The DualShock 4 lights up in blue.|Buttons react in the test menu (for example, in the game or the Gamepad Tester application)|There are no delays when pressing.

-->

Table: Compatibility of DualShock 4 with Xiaomi devices

Smartphone (Redmi/Xiaomi/POCO)|Tablet (Mi Pad)|Television (Mi) TV)|Other-->

Method 2: Connecting through USB-cable (for minimum delays)

If you are not satisfied with delays on Bluetooth (relevant for shooters like this) PUBG Mobile or Fortnite, you can connect DualShock 4 to USB. This method guarantees a minimum input lag (about 10-15 ms vs. 30-80 ms over Bluetooth), but has its own nuances:

• 🔌 Cable required USB-C → Micro-USB (or adapter if your Xiaomi has a connector) USB-C, And the gamepad has a Micro-USB).
• 🎮 On Xiaomi TVs USB-The port may not supply enough power - in this case, use the USB-feed-in.
• ⚙️ In some games (such as Genshin Impact) USB-The connection may not be recognized, but Octopus or Mantis will be required.

Instructions:

1. Connect DualShock 4 to Xiaomi device with cable.
2. On the gamepad, press the button. PS — indicator should light up orange (wired connection mode).
3. Check your in-game experience or through the Gamepad Tester app (available on Google Play).

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 14. USB-You can ignore the message that says, "The device consumes too much power," but if the gamepad turns off, try using it. OTG-power-cable.

💡

If the buttons on the gamepad are not working correctly (for example, L2/R2 work as L1/R1), Try reconnecting DualShock 4 mode «HID-fashion": pinch Share + PS on 10 seconds until the indicator starts flashing orange.

Method 3: Using applications for gamepad emulation (Octopus, Mantis)

If the standard connection doesn't work or the buttons are not properly defined, specialized applications come to the rescue.

• 🎯 Configure mapping buttons (for example, assigning) L3 Jumping into Call of Duty).
• 🔄 Emulate touch input (useful for games without gamepad support).
• 🔋 Turn on vibration and gyroscope (by default on Xiaomi they are often disabled).

The best apps for Xiaomi:

How to set up Octopus for DualShock 4:

1. Install Octopus from Google Play (required) MIUI 12+ Android 10+).
2. Connect DualShock 4 to Bluetooth or USB.
3. Launch the game, then open Octopus and select it from the list.
4. Click “Configure the gamepad” and assign buttons manually (for example, L2 → sight, R2 → shooting).
5. Activate the Gyroscope in the settings if the game supports tilt control (e.g., tilt control, PUBG Mobile).

Solving common problems

Even after a successful connection, DualShock 4 may not work properly. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

1. The gamepad is connected, but the buttons are not working

• 🔹 Check if the game supports gamepads (e.g. Genshin Impact requires manual setup in Octopus).
• 🔹 Reconnect DualShock 4 in mode HID (clamp down on Share + PS 10 seconds).
• 🔹 Update the gamepad firmware through DS4Windows (PC-only).

2.DualShock 4 shuts down after 5-10 minutes

This is a typical problem for Xiaomi smartphones with aggressive energy saving.

• 🔋 Turn off "Optimize" MIUI» for Bluetooth in Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery.
• 🔋 In Bluetooth settings, turn off “Automatic Device Shutdown».
• 🔋 Use it. USB-Connection instead of Bluetooth.

3.Vibration and touchpad not working

On Xiaomi devices, these features are often disabled by default, to activate them:

• 🎮 Install Mantis Gamepad or Octopus and enable vibration in the settings.
• 🎮 Touchpads may require manual calibration in the app (in Octopus, this is done in the Advanced section»).

💡

If none of these methods worked, try resetting your gamepad settings: press the small Reset button on the back (near the Micro-USB port) and reconnect.

Customize DualShock 4 for specific games on Xiaomi

Different games work differently with gamepads, and here are the best settings for popular projects:

Call of Duty: Mobile

• 🎯 Use Octopus for button mapping: assign L2 point-blank, R2 shoot, L3 jump.
• 🎯 Turn on the gyroscope for accurate aiming (sensitivity 30–50%).
• 🎯 Turn off vibration in game settings to reduce delays.

Genshin Impact

• 🏹 Connect the gamepad via Mantis Gamepad (built-in Genshin support is better than Octopus).
• 🏹 Assign. R2 attack, L2 sprint, Touchpad on the map.
• 🏹 In the game settings, select "Controller: Full Support».

PUBG Mobile / Battlegrounds Mobile India

• 🔫 Use Octopus with the gyroscope on (sensitivity 20–40%).
• 🔫 Assign. L1 sit down, R1 lie down, L3 run.
• 🔫 Turn off the “Auto-selection” in the game settings to avoid conflicts with the gamepad.

💡

For games with controller support (for example, Minecraft or Dead Cells), you can use the DirectInput mode in Octopus, which will reduce latency to 10-20 ms.

How to connect DualShock 4 to a Xiaomi TV TV)

Xiaomi TVs (e.g. Mi TVs) TV Q2 or Redmi Smart TV X) officially support gamepads, but with reservations:

• 📺 Bluetooth connection works, but can be unstable (delays up to 50 ms).
• 📺 USB-Connection is more stable, but requires OTG-power-cable.
• 📺 In Google Play Games or NVIDIA GeForce NOW The gamepad is automatically determined.

Step-by-step instructions for Mi TV:

1. Enable DualShock 4 in pairing mode (PS + Share).
2. On the Mi TV remote, click Settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
3. Select the Wireless Controller and connect.
4. Start the game (like Asphalt 9 from Google Play Games) and check the buttons.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall (e.g. Mi) TV 5X) You may need to update your firmware to the latest version, otherwise the gamepad will shut down every 10 minutes.

Mobile games (CODM, PUBG, Genshin)|Emulators (PS2, Nintendo Switch)|Cloud Gaming (GeForce) NOW, Xbox Cloud)|Other-->

FAQ: Frequent Questions About DualShock 4 Xiaomi