On PS5, Use Second Controller for Assistance combines two gamepads so they operate as one controller. It is designed for collaborative play and accessibility: a second person can share the controls or help someone through a difficult section. It does not turn the second gamepad into a separate player in multiplayer.
You enable the feature once in Settings > Accessibility > Controllers. After that, both controllers must be assigned to the same PS5 user whenever you use the feature. This guide explains pairing, compatibility, the exact button sequence, controller limitations, ways to switch the primary pad, troubleshooting, and when a different accessibility setup makes more sense.
What does “Use Second Controller for Assistance” do on PS5?
The feature merges the inputs from two controllers into a single control stream. The game sees one player using one controller, even though two people may be pressing buttons. That makes it useful when someone wants to share steering, camera control, movement, or menu navigation, or when a helper needs to take over briefly.
It is an accessibility feature rather than a general local-multiplayer switch. A second person cannot use it to spawn a second character, create another profile slot, or join a game that requires two independent controllers. For true couch co-op, the game itself must support local multiplayer and you must use its normal player-join process instead.
Sony described the feature in its September 13, 2023 PS5 global-update announcement as a way to enjoy games collaboratively or help a friend or child navigate a particularly challenging section. In practice, one player can keep holding the main controller while a partner contributes input, or the helper can take the second controller for a difficult sequence.
Because the console combines both pads before the game receives input, the game does not need a special “assist” mode. A title that supports one-player control can generally be used with this arrangement, although the person helping should still follow the game’s normal prompts and pause rules.
What do you need before enabling a second controller?
You need two controllers that are paired with the same PS5. Pairing is separate from turning on Assist Controller; the console must recognize each gamepad first.
- Two paired controllers: Both can be wireless after pairing. Sony says a PS5 supports up to four controllers at once, but Assist Controller still treats the two selected pads as one same-user control setup. The four-controller capacity does not mean four people can share one player through this feature.
- A PS5 user account: During use, both controllers are assigned to the same user. Choosing different users is not the setup for this feature.
- A compatible controller combination: The permitted assist controller depends on which pad is the main controller.
- Enough battery or a USB connection: A controller can remain connected by cable, which is useful if one pad is low on charge. Wireless use is optional once pairing is complete.
To pair a controller for the first time, connect it to the PS5 with its included USB cable and press the PS button. Once the battery has enough charge, you can disconnect the cable and use the controller wirelessly. Repeat this for the second controller if it has not already been paired. If a pad was previously paired with another device, connecting it by cable to the PS5 and pressing PS establishes the console connection again.
Pairing is normally a one-time preparation step. You do not need to plug both controllers in every time you use assistance, and pairing does not itself merge their inputs. The merge happens only after Assist Controller is enabled and both pads are activated for the same user.
Which controllers can be used together?
Sony’s compatibility rules are role-specific. The important distinction is that a DualSense Edge can be the main controller but cannot be the assist controller.
| Main controller | Assist controller allowed by Sony’s guidance | Important restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| DualSense wireless controller | DualSense wireless controller | The assist pad does not provide haptics, adaptive triggers, microphone functions, or custom button assignments. |
| DualSense Edge wireless controller | Supported third-party controller | DualSense Edge itself is main-only; the third-party model must support PS5 according to its own compatibility instructions. |
| Supported third-party controller | Depends on Sony’s supported combination and the device maker’s PS5 instructions | Do not assume that an unspecified third-party model works with every PS5 feature. |
Compatibility claims for third-party pads are deliberately limited because support varies by device. Check the controller manufacturer’s PS5 instructions before relying on it for an accessibility session. A controller may pair with the console yet still lack support for this specific role or for particular PS5 functions.
If you want the straightforward combination documented by Sony, use a PlayStation DualSense wireless controller for PS5 as the main controller and another DualSense as the assist controller. This is an optional purchase, not a requirement if you already own a compatible paired pad. Do not assume that a cheaper, generic, or older controller will work merely because it has a USB cable or can connect to another device.
Role matters when troubleshooting. A combination that works with a DualSense main controller might not work when you reverse the roles. If you use a DualSense Edge as the main pad, select a supported third-party controller for assistance; do not try to make the Edge the assisting device.
How do I enable Assist Controller for the first time?
The setting is a one-time enablement. You do not need to repeat these menu steps every time you start a game.
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Choose Controllers.
- Open Use Second Controller for Assistance.
- Turn on Use Assist Controller.
Enabling the switch makes the feature available; it does not yet decide which physical controller is the main pad or which user owns the session. That assignment happens with the PS button on each controller when you begin using the feature.
If you cannot find the option, confirm that you are in the PS5 system Settings menu rather than a game’s own accessibility menu. The wording to look for is Sony’s exact label, Use Second Controller for Assistance, with the switch named Use Assist Controller. Once enabled, leave it on if you expect to use the feature across several games; you can disable it later when you want ordinary independent-controller behavior.
How do I use the two controllers in a game?
After the one-time setting is on and both gamepads are paired, use this sequence whenever you want two controllers to operate as one.
- Press the PS button on the controller you want to function as the main controller.
- When the user-selection prompt appears, select the PS5 user who will play.
- Press the PS button on the controller you want to use for assistance.
- Select the same PS5 user on the second controller.
- Start or resume the game. Inputs from both controllers now control the same player.
The second controller does not need to be assigned to a different account. If the console asks you to choose a user again, select the same account used for the main controller. A helper can now hold the assist pad while the primary player holds the main pad, and either person can provide input recognized as coming from that one player.
Activate the main pad first when you want a predictable role assignment. The controller used first for the session is treated as the main controller in this process. If you accidentally activate the wrong one, turn it off and follow the role-switch steps below rather than assigning the two pads to different users.
Sony says the assist controller does not need to be reconnected when the user quits one game and starts another. That refers to the physical connection: leave the pad paired with the console. Follow the on-screen PS-button and user-selection prompts when you begin a new session so the intended controllers are active. Starting another game does not transform the arrangement into two players; it remains one shared user until you change the setting or controller roles.
How can I change which controller is the main one?
Turn off the current controller, then press PS on the controller you want to become the main controller. This is useful when a helper needs to take over a section, when one battery is low, or when you want to swap which person has the primary physical pad.
After switching, confirm the user assignment shown on screen. Both controllers still need to be associated with the same user for Assist Controller to keep merging their inputs. Changing the main pad does not turn the second pad into a separate multiplayer player.
Switching roles can also resolve a compatibility issue. For example, if an Edge was mistakenly selected as the assist pad, turn it off, activate it as the main pad, and then activate a supported third-party controller as the assist pad. Do not continue pressing buttons on both pads while changing roles; wait for each user prompt so the console does not leave one controller unassigned.
Why use a second controller for assistance on PS5?
The feature is most valuable when two people need to contribute to one player’s game rather than control two independent characters.
Sharing control during play
Two people can divide tasks informally. One person might handle movement while the other helps with camera adjustments, aiming, menu navigation, or a timed button press. Because the game receives one combined input stream, you can decide the division moment by moment without looking for a game-specific co-op mode.
Helping through a difficult section
A friend, parent, or caregiver can take over a demanding encounter, platforming sequence, puzzle input, or menu choice while the original player remains involved. When the section is over, the helper can stop pressing buttons without requiring a player hand-off inside the game. The primary player can continue immediately because the game has not switched profiles or characters.
Supporting accessibility needs
Some players find a single controller difficult to hold or operate for a long period. A second person can provide occasional inputs while the player keeps the controller position that is most comfortable. The feature is not a replacement for every accessibility option, but it provides a simple way to share physical control without creating another in-game character.
Reducing fatigue
Shared control can make a long menu sequence, repeated timing challenge, or precision section less tiring. Decide in advance who handles which inputs, and pause the game before physically handing a controller to another person. Assist Controller does not coordinate two people automatically; it simply allows both pads to send input for the same user.
What functions does the assist controller lack?
Sony lists several controller features that are unavailable on the assist pad. Plan the session around ordinary button and stick input rather than expecting the second pad to reproduce every function of the main DualSense.
- Haptic feedback: The assist controller does not provide the game’s haptic effects.
- Adaptive triggers: Trigger resistance and other adaptive-trigger behavior are unavailable on the assist controller.
- Microphone functions: The assist pad’s microphone functions are not available through Assist Controller.
- Custom button assignments: Custom assignments configured for the assist controller are not provided while it is acting as the assist pad.
These limits do not stop the second controller from sending ordinary gameplay input. They do mean that the main controller should handle any interaction that depends on vibration, trigger resistance, voice input, or a customized layout. If a game appears not to react to a feature on the assist pad, test the same action on the main pad before treating it as a connection failure.
The limitations apply to the assist role, not necessarily to the controller when it is used alone as a main pad. A DualSense or supported third-party controller may offer different functions in its normal role, but those functions should not be promised while it is assisting another controller.
What should I check if the second controller is not working?
Most failures come from pairing, user selection, or controller roles. Work through the checks below in order.
The second pad does nothing
- Press its PS button and verify that the console detects it.
- If it is not detected, connect it with a USB cable, press PS, and complete pairing.
- Return to the game and select the same user used by the main controller.
- Confirm that Use Assist Controller remains enabled under Settings > Accessibility > Controllers.
- Check that the controller is charged or leave it connected by USB during the session.
The console assigns the wrong role
Turn off the controller currently treated as main. Press PS on the controller you want as main, then activate the other controller and choose the same user. The controller that is turned on first for the session becomes the main pad in this process.
The controllers control different users
Press PS on the assisting pad and review the account selected in the prompt. If it is different, select the same PS5 user as the main pad. Independent user assignments are appropriate for normal multiplayer, not for Assist Controller.
A third-party controller will not pair or assist
Do not assume that pairing alone proves feature compatibility. Check the device maker’s PS5 support instructions, and test the controller as the main pad if the combination requires it. Sony specifically cautions that not all third-party devices work with PS5. If the model is unspecified or its instructions do not mention PS5 support, choose a controller with clearly documented compatibility instead of assuming it will work.
The helper expects vibration or trigger effects
This is expected behavior, not a pairing fault. Haptics, adaptive triggers, microphone functions, and custom button assignments are unavailable on the assist controller, so use the main controller for those functions.
The feature worked in one game but not another
Assist Controller is a system-level merged-input feature, not a promise that every title supports a particular cooperative routine. Confirm that both controllers are still assigned to the same user and that the game is not waiting for a separate player profile. For a one-player title, the combined input should remain one player’s control; for a local multiplayer title, turn Assist Controller off when you need independent participants.
Is an Access controller required for collaborative play?
No. Sony documents Assist Controller and the PS5 Access controller as separate accessibility routes. For collaborative play with an Access controller, Sony says no Assist Controller setup is needed.
The Access controller can also be paired in a separate setup in which two Access controllers are associated with one PS5 user. That procedure should not be confused with turning on Use Assist Controller for two ordinary gamepads. Choose the route that matches the hardware and control arrangement you actually use; buying an Access controller is not a prerequisite for the two-controller assistance feature.
An Access controller may be the better option when someone needs a purpose-built accessibility device, alternative button layouts, or a longer-term configuration. Assist Controller is the simpler choice when two people already have compatible gamepads and want to share one player’s inputs without purchasing additional accessibility hardware.
Can this feature be used for normal local multiplayer?
Not by itself. Assist Controller deliberately combines the two pads into one player’s controls, so it cannot supply the independent input that a second local-multiplayer profile requires.
If a game supports split-screen or same-console co-op, leave Assist Controller off for that session and follow the game’s own player-join instructions. Each player should then select the account or guest profile requested by the game. If your goal is to help one player rather than add a second character, keep Assist Controller on and use the same-user assignment described above.
Do not judge the feature by whether a game displays a second controller icon. The important test is whether both pads move or operate the same character. If they do, the feature is working as designed; a second independent icon would indicate a different multiplayer setup.
What should you buy if you need another controller?
If you do not already have a second compatible pad, the most direct option for a DualSense main controller is a PlayStation DualSense wireless controller for PS5. Sony identifies DualSense as the assist controller for a DualSense main controller. A supported third-party controller may also be suitable, but compatibility is device-specific and should be confirmed in the manufacturer’s PS5 instructions before purchase.
There is no need to buy an Access controller solely to turn on Assist Controller, and there is no universal price or stock claim that applies to every retailer or region. Treat a second DualSense as an optional hardware purchase: you may already own a compatible pad, and the feature does not require two brand-new controllers.
Quick checklist before you start
- Two controllers are paired to the PS5.
- The controller combination follows Sony’s role rules.
- Use Assist Controller is enabled at Settings > Accessibility > Controllers.
- The main controller is activated first and assigned to the intended user.
- The assist controller is activated second and assigned to that same user.
- You are expecting one shared player, not a second multiplayer participant.
- The helper knows that haptics, adaptive triggers, microphone functions, and custom button assignments do not work on the assist pad.
- Any third-party controller has documented PS5 support from its manufacturer.
With those conditions met, the two controllers should provide a shared control surface for the same game session. When you finish, turn off the assist controller or leave it paired for the next game; Sony says it does not need to be physically reconnected between games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a second DualSense to use Assist Controller?
Only if you do not already have a second compatible, paired controller. Sony documents a DualSense as the assist controller for a DualSense main controller, while some supported third-party controllers may work depending on the device. Check compatibility before purchasing a model for this purpose.
Can two people sign in to different PS5 users while sharing one controller?
Assist Controller is designed around one PS5 user, so the two controllers should be assigned to the same account during activation. Selecting separate users is the setup for independent players, not for merged assistance input.
Will Assist Controller create a second character in a co-op game?
No. The game receives one combined set of inputs and therefore sees one player. Use the game’s normal local-multiplayer option when you need two characters or two independent save and profile positions.
Can I use a DualSense Edge as the assist controller?
Sony’s compatibility guidance makes DualSense Edge a main-controller-only device for this feature. When a DualSense Edge is the main pad, the assist controller must be a supported third-party controller; verify that model’s PS5 compatibility with its manufacturer.
Does the assist controller need to stay plugged into the PS5?
No. Pair it with the included USB cable and press PS, then disconnect it once it has enough charge for wireless use. Sony says it does not need to be physically reconnected when you quit one game and start another.
Can I use Assist Controller with two different accounts?
No. Select the same PS5 user on both controllers. Different accounts are for independent multiplayer players, while Assist Controller merges both pads into one user’s input.
Why does the helper feel no vibration or trigger resistance?
Those functions are unavailable on the assist controller, along with microphone functions and custom button assignments. Use the main controller for interactions that rely on those features.
Does a PS5 support more than two controllers?
Sony says a PS5 can use up to four controllers at once, but Assist Controller specifically merges two controllers for one user. The general four-controller capacity does not create multiple assist pairs or change the same-user requirement.
Is the PS5 Access controller required for this feature?
No. Access controller collaboration is documented as a separate accessibility setup, and Sony says no Assist Controller setup is needed for that route. Use Assist Controller with compatible ordinary gamepads when that is the arrangement you need.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Enable Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Use Second Controller for Assistance once, pair both controllers, then press PS on each and assign them to the same user. The two pads will control one player, making it easier to share play or provide hands-on help. Keep the main controller responsible for haptics, adaptive triggers, microphone functions, and custom assignments, and use the game’s normal multiplayer setup when two independent players are required.