How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a Computer (Windows & Mac)

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Use a PS3 controller to game on any computer with our install guide

Written by Hunter Rising

Last Updated: October 22, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Windows 10 & 11
|
• Windows 8 & Older
|
• Mac
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips

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Even though Windows doesn’t have support for PlayStation 3 controllers, it’s as simple as installing a couple extra drivers on your device. Luckily, the drivers are simple to find and don’t take long to install. For Windows 10 & 11, the DsHidMini tool works best, but the ScpToolkit works well for Windows 8 or older. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through all the install instructions, including how to use your controller on a Mac.

How to Connect PS3 Controllers to Windows 10 & 11

1. Install the BthPS3 driver if you have a wireless controller.
2. Download DsHidMini to your device and extract the ZIP.
3. Open the x86 folder if you’re running 32-bit or x64 for 64-bit.
4. Install the dshidmini.inf and igfilter.inf files on your device.
5. Plug your controller in with a USB cable to connect it to your device.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PC (Windows 10 & 11)

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1. 
   1
   Install the BthPS3 driver if you’re using a Bluetooth controller. Wireless controllers require an extra tool in order to work properly on your computer. Visit the download page and click on the file ending with .msi under the Assets heading. The file will start downloading immediately.

   • Once it’s downloaded, open the file to run the installer.
   • Restart your computer afterward so the settings save on your device.
2. 
   2
   Download the DsHidMini driver. DsHidMini is a toolkit that makes your PS3 controller compatible with your Windows computer again. Download the ZIP file under the Assets section of the download page to save it to your device.

   • DsHidMini only works with official PS3 DualShock 3 controllers, but it does not support other brands.
   • DsHidMini only supports Windows 10 and 11. If you’re running an older version of Windows, follow our instructions for installing ScpToolkit instead.
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3. 
   3
   Extract the ZIP file. ZIP files are compressed to store more items, so you have to extract them to access all the files inside. Double-click on the file and click on Extract All. Select the location on your computer where you want the files to save.
4. 
   4
   Open the folder matching your computer’s architecture. DsHidMini has 2 versions based on whether you’re running 32- or 64-bit software on your computer. To check what bit count you’re running, open the Start menu. Type “system” into the search box and click System under the Control Panel heading. Check the “System type” entry for 32- or 64-bit.

   • If you’re running 32-bit, then select the x86 option.
   • If you have a 64-bit computer, open the x64 folder.
5. 
   5
   Install dshidmini.inf and igfilter.inf on your device. Locate the files in the folder you just opened. Right-click on each file and select the Install option for each one.

   • You may be prompted by a Windows Security window because it doesn’t recognize the developers. Check the box that says “Always trust…” and then click “Install.”
6. 
   6
   Plug in your PS3 controller with a USB cable. Plug one end of the cable into the port on your PS3 controller and connect the other end to an open USB port on your computer. Once it’s plugged in, your computer will make a notification sound saying your device is connected.
7. 
   7
   Test your controller with the DsHidMini Control Utility. Look for the DSHMC.exe file in the original download folder and open it. Your controller will appear in the list on the left, and selecting it will open up an information panel with settings.

   • If you want to make any changes to your controller settings, close out of the tool. To reopen it, right-click on the icon and select “Run as administrator.”
   • Once you unplug a wireless controller, it will automatically connect to your computer over Bluetooth.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a PC with Windows 8 or Older

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1. 
   1
   Turn on your PS3 controller and plug it into your PC. Plug the narrow end of the controller's USB charging cable into the controller and the large end of the USB cable into one of your computer's USB ports. Press the "PS" button in the middle of your controller to turn it on.

   • If you're connecting your controller using a wireless dongle, you may need to first install the dongle's drivers. Make sure you follow the setup instructions for your dongle so it works properly.
   • If your controller is paired with your PS3, unplug the PS3 from its power source before turning it on.
2. 
   2
   Navigate to the ScpToolkit website. ScpToolkit provides a PC-friendly interface to which your PS3 controller can connect, which will, in turn, allow you to use your PS3 controller with PC game services like Steam.

   • While there are beta releases for a new build of ScpToolkit, they are not fully stable, and they have not received updates since 2016.
   • Look for the green "Latest" sticker on the left side of the page to ensure you’re downloading the most recent version.
3. 
   3
   Click the "ScpToolkit_Setup.exe" link. It's the first link beneath the "Assets" heading on this page. Doing so will prompt the toolkit to download to your PC's default downloads folder.
4. 
   4
   Double-click the toolkit setup file. Locate the icon in your downloads folder. Its icon resembles a black PS3 controller. The ScpToolkit installer will open a new window on your screen.
5. 
   5
   Install ScpToolkit. If the toolkit mentions that you're missing "prerequisites" to run the program, click Next until the prerequisites begin installing. Otherwise, use the following steps to Install ScpToolkit:

   • Click the checkbox next to "I agree to the License terms and conditions".
   • Click Next.
   • Click Install.
   • Click Yes if prompted.
6. 
   6
   Click Run Driver Installer. After ScpToolkit fully installs, a green button will appear on the screen prompting you to open the driver installer. Click on it to open the ScpToolkit interface.

   • If you accidentally closed the window, locate the Driver Installer program in the folder you saved ScpToolkit. It has an icon that resembles a USB cable.
7. 
   7
   Uncheck the "Install DualShock 4 Controller" box. This option is on the left side of the driver installer window. Since you're installing a PS3 controller (or a DualShock 3 controller), you don't need the PS4 drivers.

   • If you’re using a wired controller, uncheck the box next to "Bluetooth" as well.
   • If you're using Windows Vista, you'll need to check the box next to "Force Driver Installation" in the middle-left side of the window.
8. 
   8
   Select your Bluetooth device and controller from the menus. If you’re using a Bluetooth dongle for wireless controllers, click the arrow to the right of “Install Bluetooth driver.” Select your device from the list. Then, click the arrow to the right of “Install DualShock 3 driver” and select your controller. Typically, the controller is called “PLAYSTATION” or “PS3 GamePad” in the menus.
9. 
   9
   Click Install. It's on the right side of the driver installer window. The toolkit will add all of the controller's drivers to your computer, and your controller will be ready to use within a couple of minutes. Once the installation is complete, you'll hear a confirmation noise.

   • If you run into any errors, try uninstalling and then reinstalling the SCP toolkit. When you reinstall, check the "Force Driver Installation" box to add any additional drivers you may be missing.
   • Your PS3 controller will show up as an Xbox 360 controller in the Device Manager because. The toolkit tricks your computer into thinking the PS3 controller is an Xbox controller because it’s natively supported by Windows.
   • Test out your controller by opening a game and trying out the inputs.
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to Mac

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1. 
   1
   Plug your controller into your computer with a USB cable. Plug your controller into one end of the cable and connect it to an open port on your computer. If your computer only has USB-C ports, then use a converter to connect the cord.
2. 
   2
   Find your controller in Bluetooth settings if you’re using macOS Big Sur or earlier. When you plug your controller in, the lights on top will start blinking. Open System Preferences and select Bluetooth from the menu. The controller will appear on the device list.

   • Unplug your controller once it appears on the device list.
   • Double-click on your controller from the Bluetooth menu to connect it to your Mac.
   • If you’re using a wired controller, it will work as soon as it’s plugged in.
3. 
   3
   Download and run a driver script for macOS Monterey or higher. When Apple released Monterey, they removed the native DualShock 3 drivers for PS3 controllers. Luckily, a GitHub user wrote a script that allows you to use your PS3 controller as long as it’s plugged in.

   • Open the script page.
   • Download the ds3activate.zip file at the bottom of the comment.
   • Unzip the folder.
   • Run the ds3activate script inside the folder.
   • Your PS3 controller will vibrate and work properly as long as it stays plugged in.
   • Every time you unplug and replug your controller in, run the script.
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• Question

  I did everything as instructed. But at the final step on Better DS3, it did not give me the opportunity to click the Apply button. What can I do?

  

  Community Answer

  You have to select both profile and controller to have the ability to click Apply.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  What do I do if it doesn't have a "save profile" message at the bottom of the window and I am on Windows 7?

  

  Community Answer

  Control Panel>Appearance and Personalization>Display>Make Text and other items Larger or Smaller. Set the size to "smaller" and you'll get logged out. Log back in, and you'll find the "Save" button.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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• Question

  Can I connect two controllers at the same time?

  

  Community Answer

  Yes, if you have Bluetooth support. They both need the drivers. You can run both by usb or Bluetooth.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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