How to Link a PS3 to a PC or Phone

Have you ever wondered if you could link a ps3 to the pc or your phone? You’ll be happy to know that the answer is a resounding yes. As long as you have the right connection methods, you can connect a PS3 controller to your devices. There are several different ways to connect your PS3 console to your laptop.

If you're looking to share your videos, pictures, music, or other files, there are a few different routes you can take. I'm going to talk about the ones that have worked perfectly for me in the past. You can also plug in your controller and set up your computer as a media server for your gaming console.

If you are curious and want to learn how to Connect a PS3 controller to a PC or phone, you're in luck. You can find the many methods for both platforms and their different versions here. We'll also answer some of your frequently asked questions.

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How to link a PS3 to a PC

There are two ways of Prepare your PC to accept a PS3 controllerYou will need either a Bluetooth or wired connection, but a cable is always required. Both methods will require you to download ScpToolkit.

Get ScpToolkit

Before you can use a PS3 controller on your PC, you will need to download the following software:

• Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable Package
• Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.5
• Microsoft DirectX End-User Runtime
• Controller Driver Xbox 360.

First, you need to install the first four packages if you haven't already. Next, you'll start installing ScpToolkit. Here are the steps to install ScpToolkit:

Step 1: run the installer ScpToolkit.

Step 2: If you want to enable wireless connections, enable “ScpToolkit Bluetooth Pair Utility«.

Step 2: After the installation process, click the big green button called “Run Driver Installer” to continue.

Step 3: Check the box next to “Install Dualshock 3 driver» if not checked.

Step 4: For Bluetooth connections, you can choose to install Bluetooth drivers if you wish.

Step 5: Choose the PS3 drivers to install by checking the box next to the option.

Step 6: select the PS3 controller to install.

Step 7: wait for the installation process to complete.

Step 8: after that, ScpToolkit will open on startup in the future.

These steps assume that you are already pairing a PS3 with your PC. This makes things easier, but in the future, you may be able to connect your controller to your PC via Bluetooth.

Connection via Bluetooth

You can also Link a PS3 to the computer via Bluetooth. After following the steps above, you can disconnect your controller. It should take only a few seconds for the controller to sync with your PC via Bluetooth. If your computer does not have Bluetooth functionality native, you need to purchase a Bluetooth dongle.

Many computers portable They already have built-in Bluetooth capabilities, so you probably don't need them. Still, some offer a better connection than the standard laptop Bluetooth feature you typically see.

Since ScpToolkit opens at startup, the next time you turn on your PC, you can plug your controller back in and unplug it. Unfortunately, you'll need to have a cable USB by hand, but after the initial disconnection step, you can use the PS3 controller wirelessly.

You may want to know: How to Connect PS4 Controller to PC | Different Methods

How to Connect a PS3 Controller to a Mac

Connecting a PS3 to a Mac It's pretty simple. You don't need to install anything. However, depending on your version of OS X, the steps may differ.

OS X 10.9 and above

The process to connect your controller to OS X 10.9 and above is as follows:

• Step 1: Disconnect the controller from your PS3 if necessary.
• Step 2: On your Mac, open the menu and select “System preferences«.
• Step 3: click on the option «Bluetooth«.
• Step 4: Connect the PS3 controller to your Mac using a USB cable.
• Step 5: hold the button PlayStation in your controller.
• Step 6: Your controller should connect in a few moments.
• Step 7: At this point, you can disconnect the cable.
• Step 8: play your games with the PS3 controller.

You can keep the cable connected for charging purposes, but otherwise, you can disconnect it.

Pre-OS X 10.9

Here are the steps for Macs prior to OS X 10.9:

• Step 1: Disconnect the controller from your PS3 if necessary.
• Step 2: Connect the PS3 controller to your Mac using a USB cable.
• Step 3: On your Mac, open the menu and select “System preferences«.
• Step 4: click on the option «Bluetooth«.
• Step 5: hold the button PlayStation in your controller.
• Step 6: unplug the USB cable.
• Step 7: click the button «+» in the lower left corner of the Bluetooth devices menu.
• Step 8: writes "0000» without parentheses in the pairing code window.
• Step 9: Choose "Accept»Or«Match» depending on the version of OS X.
• Step 10: Click the name of the PS3 controller in the Bluetooth devices window.
• Step 11: click on the gear icon below.
• Step 12:: Check the options «Add to Favorites" Y "Update Services«.
• Step 13: Now you can start playing with the PS3 controller.

Older versions of OS X will require this more complicated process.

How to connect a PS3 controller to an Android device

You can connect any PS3 controller to a device Android using Sixaxis Enabler. This app doesn't require rooting your Android phone, so you can keep its warranty and avoid the risk of bricking it. Here's how you'll do it:

• Step 1: buy and install Sixaxis Enabler en Google Play Store.
• Step 2: start Sixaxis Enabler.
• Step 3: connect the PS3 controller to your phone with an OTG cable.
• Step 4: press and hold the PlayStation button.
• Step 5: allows the application to access the controller.
• Step 6: When your phone displays “Sixaxis Enabled", you can try using the controller.
• Step 7: should work with your games now.

Not all phones are compatible with Sixaxis Enabler, so you'll have to test yours and see if the driver works.

How to connect a PS3 controller to an iPhone

You can connect a PS3 controller to your iPhone, but this requires a jailbreak to work. Here's how:

• Step 1: download SixaxisPairTool and run it.
• Step 2: Connect both your iPhone and PS3 controller to your computer via two separate cables.
• Step 3: Get the Bluetooth address of your iPhone and enter it into SixaxisPairTool.
• Step 4: Choose "Update«.
• Step 5: download and install blutrol.
• Step 6: start Blutrol.
• Step 7: Select the tab «Controller«.
• Step 8: choose the PS3 controller.
• Step 9: At this point, you can disconnect the PS3 controller from your PC.
• Step 10: To configure the controller for your games, take a screenshot of the game where the on-screen controls are displayed.
• Step 11: Go back to Blutrol and open the “Games«.
• Step 12: select the sign «+«.
• Step 13: Select the screenshot above and choose portrait or landscape mode, depending on how you took it.
• Step 14: Choose "Add» and choose the PS3 controller you want. Then select vertical or horizontal as before.
• Step 15: Drag and adjust the on-screen PS3 buttons until they match the original controls.
• Step 16: Choose "Ready» when the process is complete.
• Step 17: play the game you want.

You can also use blutrol for more than just games. Just adjust the controls to something you're comfortable with. Maybe you can imagine some interesting ways to use your favorite apps.

Connect PS3 to your laptop via LAN

Make sure the PC and PlayStation 3 are connected to your router via the Ethernet cable. If it's a newer router, it should automatically recognize the PS3 via DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), add it to the network, and assign an IP address. If this doesn't happen automatically, use the network wizard to search for new devices and add the PS3.

Set up your PS3 correctly

In addition to the correct connection, you should also consider the position of the PS3. For example, it is particularly important that there is some free space around the PS3 so that the console can be properly ventilated and does not get too hot. In addition, it should not be tilted or moved during operation so that your games run properly.

Take a look at: PS4 Controller Works But Does Not Charge. Causes and Solutions

Final thoughts

Now that you know how to connect a PS3 to PC or phone, you can start mastering the games. Your friends will wonder why you move so fluidly, especially in mobile devices. The process may take some time, so you need to be patient. Do you find the methods to connect a PS3 controller complicated? What is your preferred controller for gaming? Let us know in the comments section below.