A new app for iPhone and iPad lets DualSense controller owners customize and try out different feedback configurations for the controller’s trigger buttons.
Included with every PS5, the DualSense introduces many novel features, such as adaptive triggers, which adjust the tension of the rear buttons, making it easier (or harder) to press them down while playing a game.
While some games take advantage of the adaptive triggers, there’s no official way to manually test and adjust the DualSense on PS5. Fortunately, the PS5 Controller Trigger Test app does just that, allowing you to mess around with different trigger effects on the DualSense controller, among many other things.
Screenshots from the iOS version of the app | Image: Rihab Mehboob
You’ll need to connect your DualSense controller to the mobile device to start. Afterward, it is pretty straightforward. The UI is direct and gives you access to a few things, such as how much battery life is on the controller, the ability to change the light color on the DualSense controller, and of course, play around with the triggers.
The trigger options themselves are robust. You can test out the vibration, feedback, and weapon feedback on the L2 and R2 triggers on the controller. So, for example, if you wanted to test the vibration feedback on the triggers, you can adjust the start position or how much weight you need to press on the triggers before it responds, along with the frequency of the vibration effect. And there are individual buttons for each trigger, so if you wanted to test different settings for either trigger, you would just need to tap the appropriate button as shown in the image above to your preferred testing preset.
It’s an interesting look into the sheer amount of options developers have to play with on the new controllers. “I’ve always wanted to test and mess around with the different Dualsense trigger effects,” said Rihab Mehboob, the 20-year-old developer of the app. “[B]ut not many games use it, and when they do, it’s not customizable.”
The app costs $1.99 and is available on the App Store with support for iPhone and iPads, though both need to have iOS/iPad OS 14.5 or later to use the app. The listing also notes support for Mac, though you’ll need a Mac that is powered by Apple’s proprietary M1 chip. While there are no plans to bring the app to Android, Mehboob told IGN that he would love to learn how to code for Android.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster