PS5 players know: there’s nothing worse than a controller turning off at the wrong time, especially when the “Low Battery” warning has been ignored one too many times. Although the DualSense controller already offers decent battery life, it remains limited, especially during long sessions or if you forget to recharge it between two games.
This is where a very simple but devilishly effective tip comes in, revealed by a technician on social networks. This is a simple setting that you can change in the system settings of your PlayStation 5. The result: a battery that lasts significantly longer, especially if you are used to putting the controller down without manually turning it off.
The setting that Sony never highlighted
On Twitter (now X), user @Modyfikator89, specialized in console repair, regularly shares little-known tips. On December 28, 2025, he published a video showing a very precise setting which limits the discharge of the DualSense battery. “A simple setting that Sony would probably prefer you didn’t change (so you buy new controllers sooner),” he wrote, accompanying his message with a wry wink.
The procedure is as follows: simply go to the Settings > System > Power Savingthen select the option “Set the controller power off time”. There you can choose to automatically turn off the controller after 10 minutes of inactivity.
Why this setting changes everything
This setting seems innocuous, but it prevents your controller from staying on unnecessarily while you walk away, take a call, or pause a game. Result: the battery no longer drains in a vacuum. And above all, you avoid running out of fuel on your return. “If you program it to turn off after just 10 minutes, you’ll save battery life until you return, where you can simply turn it back on,” the article explains.
The option is often ignored, because it’s buried in menus and not enabled by default. However, it represents a simple and free solution to a problem that all gamers encounter sooner or laterd.
A tip that could save you from buying a new controller
Beyond comfort, this small adjustment can extend the life of your controller. By avoiding unnecessary charging cycles, you protect the integrated lithium-ion battery, which delays wear. “Given that DualSense controllers cost around £60 to replace, it would be better for Sony if we simply bought a new one every time our current controllers start to malfunction,” the author points out. In summary: you have everything to gain from activating this option. It only takes a few seconds, and you’ll extend the battery of your DualSense controller without effort – or cost.