DualShock 4: Complete Guide for Buttons Functions, Paring, Charging, On-Screen Keyboard and Lightbar Brightness

DualShock 4 controller is the most advanced controller of the DualShock series. It sports a unique touchpad which made using the DualShock 4 controller much easy and also it could perform a vast number of operation which were not possible with the pervious DualShock controllers. 
This guide will help you understand your DualShock 4 controller in detail for a better usage.


Click on the desired links below:

• DualShock 4 buttons and their operations
• DualShock 4 registration / paring
• Charging your DualShock 4
• On-Screen Keyboard
• Adjusting the brightness of the Lightbar

​DualShock 4 buttons and their operations

Front view

A) Directional buttons

These are used to select options

B) SHARE button

View the menu for Share feature

C) Touch pad/Touch pad button 
Press the touchpad for it to function

• Tap

Lightly touch the touchpad

• Double tap

Tap twice quickly

• Drag

Drag your finger across the touchpad and lift the finger.

• Flick

Sharply move your finger across the touchpad to flick

• Swipe    

slide your finger across the touchpad.

• Touch and hold

Do not lift your finger after you touch the touchpad

• Pinch in and pinch out

Place 2 finger on the touchpad and bring them closer to pinch in, take them apart to pinch out.

• Click

Press the touchpad button

• Double-click

Press the touchpad button twice quickly

D) Speaker
Audio output

E) OPTIONS button
View options

F) Shape button

• X Button

Confirm selection

• O button

Cancel an operation

• Triangle Button
• Square Button 

G) Right stick/R3 button
Press the stick to use this button.

H) PS button
Displays home screen and wakes the system from standby mode

I) Stereo headset jack
Connect your headset

J) Extension port

K) Left stick/L3 button 
Press the stick to use this button.

Top view

A) R1 button
B) R2 button
C) Light bar
D) L1 button
E) L2 button
F) USB port
Connect the USB cable

DualShock 4 registration / paring

When using the PS4 controller for the very first time, on your PS4 machine or on another PS4, press the PS button to select a user. Then you need to move on to device registration or pairing. For that turn on your PS4 then connect your PS4 and the DualShock 4 controller via a USB cable. If you have more than one controller, connect it after completing the registration of the first controller.
Maximum number of 4, DualShock controllers can be used at the same time. After you press the PS buttons on all controllers, a color for the lightbar will be assigned to the user. The first user is blue, second red, third green and the fourth is pink.

Charging your DualShock 4

Your controller will begin to charge when you connect it to PS4, even when it is in standby mode. Press and hold the PS button for a second to view the charge level.
If you want to charge in standby mode, go to Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Functions Available in Standby Mode > Supply Power from USB Ports and check this option. The lightbar will blink orange when charging in standby mode, it will stop blinking when charging is complete. 
It takes upto 2hours to completely charge the controller. The batter life will depend on your usage and the conditions in which it is stored. If you do not use you controller continously, do not forget to charge it atleast once a year.

On-Screen Keyboard

You can use the on-screen keyboard by moving the cursor with the help of your touch pad. Use the D-pad to return to normal settings.

Adjusting the brightness of the Lightbar

To adjust the brightness of the lightbar you should have System Software Update 1.70, press the PS button on the controller for a couple of seconds.
Select "Adjust Devices" and press X, then select "Brightness of DualShock 4 Light Bar"
Now you can choose from the three levels of brightness from Dim, Medium, and Bright. You cannot completely turn-off the lightbar.