Android 17 will have gamepad support

One of the most prominent features on Android is gamepad support. This is especially attractive when playing emulators, cloud games, as well as native Android titles that support this peripheral.

However, for native Android games, the experience is still limited because some titles do not allow in-app button customization. However, it seems that Google is preparing a major update to improve this experience, expected to appear on Android 17.

The green robo operating system will support game controllers.

The latest information was revealed by Android Authority. According to the report, the initial test builds show that Android 17 will integrate the game controller management feature at the system level. This is an important step forward, helping users no longer have to depend on third-party applications that are unstable and often have to "circumvent the rules" to customize the buttons like today.

Currently, Android uses pre-configured files to map keys for popular controllers like Xbox. However, if users want to swap the 'A' and 'B' button positions to suit their personal habits or needs, the operating system does not support it.

Android 17 promises to address this issue by adding a new “Remapping Controller” permission. Notably, this permission is only available to system-signed apps, suggesting that Google intends to build a controller management center right in the Settings section. This way, button customization will be handled at the system level, ensuring stability, low latency, and consistent operation across all games and devices. Users will no longer have to fiddle with Accessibility APIs or unofficial ADB tools.

Virtual Gamepad Bridge

Perhaps the most notable new feature is the introduction of a “virtual gamepad.” This is a software-defined controller that acts as a bridge: it receives the user’s original keystrokes and then outputs customized commands to the game. Because the system treats the virtual device as a real physical controller, games won’t notice that the keystrokes have been changed, thus avoiding compatibility issues.

Games on Android 17 will be forced to map the gamepad navigation keys.

The virtual gamepad opens up even more possibilities. Users can map on-screen touch controls to the physical keys of a gamepad. This is a game-changer for the vast library of Android games that don’t support gamepads. For newer devices like Android PCs or consoles, this feature will bring a seamless experience, and can even “force” gamepad support for touch-only games.

Android is expanding to new device types, and cloud gaming is growing in popularity, so stable, flexible, and customizable input support is more important than ever. Native controller remapping, a management center in Settings, and a groundbreaking virtual gamepad all suggest that Android 17 will be a big update for those who are serious about mobile gaming.