One of the best features on Android is controller support. It’s especially enjoyable in emulation and cloud gaming, but also in native Android games that support the peripheral. However, for native Android games, the experience feels somewhat lacking due to the lack of in-app remapping in some titles. That said, it seems Google is preparing a massive quality-of-life update that should change how the OS handles controller support, and it’s expected to arrive in Android 17 updates.
The latest findings come from Android Authority. According to the report, early Android builds suggest that Android 17 will introduce native, system-level support for managing game controllers. This is an important shift away from the unreliable, often “hacky” third-party apps that users currently rely on to customize their controls.
Android 17 gaming upgraded: Goodbye Hacks, hello native control
Currently, Android relies on preconfigured files to map inputs for popular controllers like those from Xbox. But if you want to swap the ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons for better ergonomics, accessibility, or simple muscle memory, the operating system offers no help.
Android 17 promises to solve this by introducing a new, dedicated Controller Remapping permission. It’s noteworthy that this permission is restricted to system-signed apps. This indicates that Google plans to build a central hub for controllers directly into the Settings app. So, everything hints at the remapping button being handled at a foundational level, ensuring stable, low-latency, and predictable behavior across all games and devices. No more fiddling with sketchy Accessibility APIs or ADB tools.
The virtual gamepad bridge
Perhaps the most significant addition is the reference to a “virtual gamepad.” This software-defined controller will act as a bridge. It intercepts your original button presses and then outputs the remapped command to the game. Since the system treats this virtual device like a real, physical controller, games can remain completely unaware of the remapping, bypassing compatibility issues.
The virtual gamepad has an even bigger implication. It could allow users to map on-screen touch controls to physical controller inputs. This is a game-changer for the giant library of Android games that were never built with controller support in mind. For the growing number of devices like Android-powered PCs and gaming handhelds, this feature creates a seamless experience. It may finally bring “forced” controller support to touch-only titles.
Android is expanding to new form factors, and cloud gaming is solidifying its presence. So, having reliable and customizable input support is more important than ever. The native controller remapping, a central hub in Settings, and the game-changing virtual gamepad suggest that Android 17 will be a big update for anyone who takes mobile gaming seriously.
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