If you’re a PS5 Apex Legends player who’s grown frustrated with controller aim drift, or you split your playtime between PC and console, you’ve definitely wondered does apex legends support keyboard and mouse on ps5. I’ve been playing Apex since launch, and I tested every possible control setup across PS4, PS5, and PC to figure out what works best for casual and ranked play. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about native support, setup, and whether making the switch is worth it for your playstyle.
Does Apex Legends Support Keyboard and Mouse on PS5 Officially?
The short answer is yes, full native support has been available for PS5 players since Season 12, no workarounds or third-party tools required. If you’ve been asking does apex legends support keyboard and mouse on ps5 out of fear of account bans, you can rest easy. You won’t face account penalties for using native keyboard and mouse on PS5 Apex Legends, as Respawn explicitly allows the setup for all game modes, including ranked and competitive play.
Most standard office or gaming keyboards and mice work with PS5 natively, no special adapters required. The only exception is peripherals with custom software that relies on PC or Mac drivers to run. If you use a high-end mouse with custom DPI profiles or RGB lighting, save your preferred settings to the device’s onboard memory before plugging it into your PS5, otherwise those custom settings won’t carry over. I tested this with a budget Redragon keyboard and mid-tier Razer DeathAdder mouse last month, and both worked within 10 seconds of plugging them in, no extra steps needed.
Step-by-Step Setup for Keyboard and Mouse on PS5 Apex Legends
Setting up your keyboard and mouse for PS5 Apex takes less than two minutes, and you don’t need to download any extra updates or software to get started. You can use either wired or Bluetooth peripherals, though we’ll cover the tradeoffs of each later on. Follow these simple steps to get up and running:
- Plug your keyboard and mouse into open USB ports on your PS5, or pair them via Bluetooth through the PS5 system settings menu if they support wireless connectivity
- Boot up Apex Legends and open the settings menu from the main lobby screen
- Navigate to the “Controller” tab and toggle the “Enable Keyboard and Mouse” setting to on
- Adjust your sensitivity, keybinds, and mouse acceleration settings to match your preference, then save your changes before jumping into a match
You can switch back to controller at any time without restarting the game, just toggle the setting off or unplug your keyboard and mouse. Wired peripherals are always the better choice for competitive ranked play, as Bluetooth connections can add 15 to 30ms of input lag, which makes a huge difference in close-range fights. I used a Bluetooth setup for casual trios play for a few weeks, but switched to wired once I hit Platinum rank, and immediately noticed my reaction time felt snappier and my aim was far more consistent.
Pros and Cons of Using Keyboard and Mouse for PS5 Apex Legends
Switching to keyboard and mouse isn’t the right choice for every player, so it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before you invest in new peripherals. Let’s start with the biggest advantages first.
First, you get far more precise aim, especially for long-range fights with snipers or marksman weapons. It’s much easier to track moving enemies and hit small headshots with a mouse than it is with a controller joystick. You also get far faster looting, since you can bind individual inventory slots to specific keys instead of scrolling through menus with a controller d-pad. Customizable keybinds are another big plus, you can set up your controls to fit your exact playstyle, instead of being limited to the default controller layout options.
There are some noticeable downsides too, though. The biggest one is that you get zero aim assist when using keyboard and mouse on PS5, which is a huge adjustment if you’ve only ever played Apex on controller. Keyboard and mouse players on PS5 are matched only with other keyboard and mouse players, so you won’t have an unfair advantage over controller users, but you also won’t get the aim assist help you might be used to. Another small downside is that some high-power peripherals draw more power than the PS5’s USB ports can output, so you might need a cheap powered USB hub if you’re using multiple RGB devices or a high-end gaming mouse. If you’re used to advanced controller movement techniques like super gliding or tap strafing, you’ll also have to re-learn those mechanics on keyboard, which can take a week or two of practice.
Tips to Improve Your Gameplay With Keyboard and Mouse on PS5
If you decide to make the switch, don’t jump straight into ranked play right away. Spend at least a few hours in the firing range testing your sensitivity, practicing aim with different weapons, and getting used to movement before you play against real opponents. It’s normal to feel clumsy for the first few days, but most players get comfortable with the new setup after 10 to 15 hours of playtime.
Turn off mouse acceleration entirely in both PS5 system settings and Apex Legends settings to make your aim as consistent as possible. Mouse acceleration changes your cursor speed based on how fast you move your mouse, which makes it impossible to build muscle memory for consistent flicks and tracking. Bind often-used actions like ping, slide, and weapon swap to easy-to-reach keys like side mouse buttons or the left shift key, so you don’t have to take your hand off the WASD keys mid-fight to use them.
You can also bump your FOV (field of view) up a bit when you switch to keyboard and mouse, since your more precise aim will let you track enemies even at wider FOV settings. I kept my FOV at 90 when I used controller, but bumped it up to 104 when I switched to keyboard and mouse, and it made spotting enemies from the side far easier, without sacrificing too much long-range visibility. Don’t copy pro PC player sensitivities directly either, since the PS5’s input polling rate is slightly lower than most high-end gaming PCs. Adjust their recommended sensitivity up or down by 10 to 15% to find what feels most comfortable for you.
At the end of the day, the answer to does apex legends support keyboard and mouse on ps5 is a resounding yes, and it’s a great option for players who prefer the precision of mouse aim over controller. It’s not for everyone, especially if you rely heavily on aim assist to win fights, but it’s worth testing out if you split your playtime between PC and PS5 and want consistent controls across both platforms. If you’re on the fence, borrow a friend’s keyboard and mouse for an afternoon to test it out before buying your own, since the learning curve can be steep for new users who’ve only ever played with controller.