Does the PS5 controller mic work on a Mac?
Not officially. Sony's support page says the DualSense's built-in microphone and speaker are available on a Windows PC, when the game supports them, and are not compatible with a Mac. The headset jack is different: Sony says it works on a PC and a Mac over a wired connection, so headphones plugged into the controller need the controller on a USB cable, not Bluetooth.
Those statements are from Sony's page for using the DualSense with a PC, Mac and mobile devices, which I read on October 7, 2026. I make InputConfig, a free Mac app that maps the controller's buttons. I have not measured the controller's audio on a Mac myself, so I show you how to check yours.
On this page: 8 sections
Steps
- Connect the DualSense to the Mac with a USB-C cable that carries data.
- Plug the headset into the jack on the bottom of the controller.
- Open System Settings, Sound and look for the controller under Output and Input.
- Select it, and test with the input level meter and a sound.
See what Sony says works on a Mac
| Part | On a Mac, by Sony's page |
|---|---|
| Built-in microphone | Not compatible |
| Built-in speaker | Not compatible |
| Headset jack | Wired connection only |
| Haptic feedback | Not compatible |
| Adaptive triggers | When the game supports them |
If you want sound through the controller on a Mac, you need the cable.
InputConfig is completely free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.
Use the headset jack
- You: Connect the controller with a USB-C cable and plug a headset into the jack on its bottom edge. Open System Settings, Sound.
- macOS: Lists the controller as a sound device if it is offering one.
- Check: Choose it under Output, play something, and listen. Choose it under Input and watch the input level move as you talk.
A cable that only charges will not do it. If the controller is not in the Sound list, the Mac is not getting audio from it.
Use something else for the mic
Since Sony does not support the built-in microphone on a Mac, plan around it:
- The Mac's own microphone. Every MacBook and iMac has one, and it needs no setup.
- A headset on the Mac. Plugged into the Mac or paired over Bluetooth, it is the simplest route for voice chat.
- A headset on the controller. Through the jack, with the controller on a cable.
For voice chat on a Mac, a headset connected to the Mac is the dependable choice.
Put the mute button to work
The mute button under the PS button does not mute a Mac microphone by itself. In InputConfig it is a button like any other, so it can send the mute shortcut of the app you talk in, or hold a push-to-talk key while it is down. The mute button can still mute your calls, as long as you tell the Mac which shortcut to send. A physical mute button for video calls has each app's shortcut, and Scan to bind shows how to assign it.
Know what Bluetooth carries
Over Bluetooth a DualSense sends its buttons, sticks, triggers, touchpad and motion to a Mac, and takes light bar and rumble commands back. It does not carry sound in either direction. Think of Bluetooth as the connection for playing and the cable as the connection for sound. How to connect a PS5 controller to a Mac covers both connections.
The short version
- Built-in mic and speaker. Not compatible with a Mac, by Sony's page.
- Headset jack. Works over a USB cable.
- Check. System Settings, Sound.
Plug the controller in, look in Sound settings, and use what the Mac lists.
Questions
Does the PS5 controller microphone work on a Mac?
Sony's support page says the built-in microphone and speaker are not compatible with a Mac. Use the Mac's microphone or a headset.
Does the PS5 controller headphone jack work on a Mac?
Sony says the headset jack needs a wired connection on a PC and a Mac. Connect the controller with a USB-C cable and choose it in System Settings, Sound.
Can I get audio from a PS5 controller over Bluetooth on a Mac?
No. Sony's page lists the headset jack as wired only, and the built-in speaker as not compatible with a Mac.
Can the PS5 mute button mute my mic on a Mac?
Not by itself. With InputConfig the mute button can send the mute shortcut of your call or chat app, or act as push to talk.
Do the adaptive triggers work on a Mac?
Sony says adaptive triggers are available when the game supports them. Haptic feedback is listed as not compatible with a Mac.
Related
Completely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.
Updated