How to Sync the PS3 Controller

This article explains how to set up a wireless connection between your PS3 controller and the PS3 gaming console, as well as how to use the controller on Windows or Mac computers. The PS3 controller is also compatible with Android operating systems, but you’ll need to root (gain administrative access to) your phone or tablet. When pairing the PS3 controller with other devices, ensure it’s an official Sony controller, as third-party ones often fail to connect or may cause issues.

Power on the PlayStation 3. Press the Power button on the front of the console. You cannot connect a new controller if the PS3 is still in Standby mode.

Connect the charging cable to the controller. You will find the charging port for the small USB cable located at the front of the controller frame (between the control buttons).

Plug the other end of the cable into the PS3. The other end of the charging cable should be inserted into the USB port at the front of the PS3 console.

• Depending on your PlayStation model, you will find either two or four USB ports here.

Turn on the controller. Press the PlayStation button in the center of the controller. The light on the front of the controller will blink.

Wait for the controller light to stop blinking. Once the light is solid and no longer flashing, your controller is synced with the PS3 console.

• The position of the light indicates which controller you are using (e.g., P1, P2, etc.).

Disconnect the USB cable from the controller. Your controller is now wirelessly connected to the PS3 console.

• Wireless functionality is only available with the official Sony DualShock 3 controller. For third-party controllers, you will still need to connect via cable.

Charge the controller if it's not working. If the controller powers off after being disconnected, it may have run out of battery. Connect the controller to the powered-on PS3 for several hours to recharge it.

Reset the controller if it's still not syncing. If you're unable to sync the controller with the PS3, you may need to reset the device. Here's how:

• Flip the controller over and locate the Reset button, located on the top back near the L2 button.
• Use a straightened paperclip to press and hold the Reset button. You'll hear a click sound.
• Hold the Reset button for at least two seconds, then remove the paperclip.
• Try connecting and syncing the controller again.

Ensure you have the Sony controller and charging cable. The program used to connect the PlayStation 3 controller to your computer works best with the official Sony DualShock 3 controller, connected via the PS3 charging cable.

• While third-party controllers (or wireless Sony controllers) can be used, the most reliable method to connect a PlayStation 3 controller to a Windows computer is with the official Sony controller and cable.

Disconnect the PlayStation 3. If the PS3 and the controller are placed close to each other, it's a good idea to turn off the PS3 to prevent the controller from accidentally connecting to it.

Reset the controller. Use a straightened paperclip to press the recessed Reset button located underneath the controller. This will prevent the controller from losing its connection due to previous pairings.

Power on the controller. Press the PlayStation button located in the middle of the controller to turn it on. The controller's light will begin flashing.

• To avoid potential issues on certain Windows computers, make sure to turn the controller on before connecting to the computer.

Connect the controller to your computer. Plug the small end of the charging cable into the PS3 controller, and then connect the other end to one of your computer's USB ports.

Download SCP Toolkit. This program enables Windows to use the PlayStation 3 controller.

• Go to the SCP Toolkit website in your browser.
• Click on ScpToolkit_Setup.exe under the 'Assets' section.
• Wait for the download to complete.

Install SCP Toolkit. Follow these steps to install the program:

• Double-click the installer file.
• Click Yes when prompted.
• Follow the on-screen instructions until you see the Install button, then click it.
  • You may need to click the Install button several times.
• If you're prompted to install required components, click Next until the necessary components are installed.
• Click Finish when prompted to complete the setup.

Launch the "SCPToolkitDriver" setup program. Double-click the application icon on the desktop to open it.

Disable unwanted options. Uncheck both the "Install DualShock4 Controller" and "Bluetooth" boxes, along with any other options in the window that you don't need.

• If you're unsure about the options selected here, it's best to leave them as they are.

Click on the "Choose DualShock 3 Controllers to Install" option. You'll find this option on the right side of the window.

Check the "Wireless Controller" option. A list of all devices connected to your computer will appear (such as keyboard, mouse, webcam, etc.). Your PS3 controller will appear as "Wireless Controller (Interface [number])" in the list.

• The [number] refers to the USB port your controller is connected to.

Click on the Install button. This option is located on the right side of the window. By selecting it, SCP Toolkit will install the controller's driver.

• Once the installation is complete, you will hear a confirmation sound, and your PlayStation 3 controller will be ready to use with any compatible games.

Power off and disconnect the PS3. If your controller is usually connected to a PS3, make sure to turn it off and disconnect the power to prevent the system from accidentally turning on while you're connecting the controller to your Mac.

Reset the controller. Use a straightened paperclip to press the recessed Reset button located beneath the controller. This step prevents connection issues caused by previous pairing attempts.

• This step is optional, but recommended.

Click on System Preferences… (System Preferences…). This option is available in the menu that's currently displayed. The System Preferences window will appear on your screen.

Click on Turn Bluetooth On (Enable Bluetooth). This button is on the left side of the page. Clicking it will turn on your Mac's Bluetooth.

• If you see the button labeled Turn Bluetooth Off (Disable Bluetooth), it means Bluetooth is already active.

Connect your PS3 controller to your Mac. Plug the small end of the included charging cable into the controller's charging port, and then connect the other end to your Mac's USB port.

• If your Mac uses a USB-C port (oval-shaped) instead of a USB 3.0 port (rectangular), you'll need to purchase a USB 3.0 to USB-C adapter for your Mac before proceeding. You can find this product on Tiki/Shopee or at computer accessory stores.

Charge the controller (if needed). If you haven't charged the controller in a while, you should charge it for about 30 minutes before continuing with the Bluetooth setup process.

Press and hold the PlayStation button for about 2 seconds. You'll find this button in the middle of the controller. Doing so will make the light above the controller blink.

Turn off the controller and wait for the synchronization process to complete. The PS3 controller will display "Connected" in the list after a few seconds.

Enter the password 0000 when prompted. If your Mac asks for the device's password, type 0000 and click Pair. This step is optional for newer Mac models.

Set up the controller for gaming. Now that the PS3 controller is connected to your computer via Bluetooth, you can use it to play any game that supports a gamepad. You might need to manually configure the controller's buttons to match the game functions; this process will vary depending on the game.

Complete.

• Updating your PlayStation 3 may resolve controller connection issues.
• If you're unable to connect your PlayStation 3 controller to the gaming console initially, or if it doesn't work on your computer, try using a different PlayStation 3 controller (still from Sony). If the new controller works fine, the original one may be damaged.

• Connecting a PlayStation 3 controller to a Windows computer can be an unreliable process due to the lack of compatibility between Microsoft and Sony products.