While iOS has caught up in recent years, Android is still the most versatile OS when it comes to smartphone gaming – especially if you’re looking beyond downloading games from the App Store. Android supports a large number of emulators, as well as game controllers and game pads. If you want to play a game, there’s a good chance you can play it on Android.
And yet, the OS doesn’t have something that many other modern gaming platforms have: native controller remapping. The idea is, you get to choose which button on your controller does what. If you want your down button to have the same effect as the L1 button, or the D-pad’s input to be the same as the right stick, you can do that. Although individual Android games may offer these options, it does not apply across the entire OS, leading to some inconsistent gameplay situations.
Google is testing controller remapping with Android 17 beta
As it turns out, Android 17 will introduce a system-wide controller remapping option – assuming it makes it out of beta. Former technical journalist turned Google employee Mishal Rehman Shared the news in a post on r/AndroidGamingAcknowledging the Android gaming communities’ repeated requests for controller remapping, and confirming that the company is testing the feature in the Android 17 beta. Rahman says Google is interested in two key points here: accessibility, so that more players can remap the buttons to meet their physical needs; And reducing muscle memory issues when switching between games.
Those two points are really huge for gamers. It can be frustrating to jump between games with different button layouts, and make mistakes just because you’re used to the layout of the previous game. But, more importantly, controller remapping makes gaming more accessible to players who may not be able to play with the game’s default layout or control scheme. When some games support it and others don’t, it makes gaming on Android unbalanced. Now, assuming Android 17 does indeed launch this feature, gaming on phones like the Pixel and Galaxy will be more accessible to everyone.
How to Try Controller Remapping on Android 17
These devices are currently live in the latest Android 17 beta (Beta 2). If you can try it now Enroll your eligible device in Android beta-Just be aware that installing beta software on your device may result in bugs, instability, or data loss. I recommend making a full backup of any important data before installing the beta.
What do you think so far?
With the latest Android 17 beta running on your device, you have two options, depending on whether you’re using a wired or Bluetooth controller:
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wired controller: go towards Settings > System > Game Controller And select your controller from the list.
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bluetooth controller: go towards Settings > Connected Devices Then select the Menu icon next to your controller. go from here device description page then select “Game Controller” settings.
Either way, you’ll see a list of all the buttons and inputs on your controller. Tap one to make any available adjustments. Rahman cautions that the glyphs – the icons that appear next to each button or input – may not be accurate as of this beta.
