Google Testing System-Level Tools for Controller Button Remapping in Android 17

Early builds of the upcoming Android 17 show signs of work on system-level features for fine-tuning game controllers. This innovation could seriously simplify life for gamers who prefer physical gamepads over touchscreen controls.

Currently, to remap controller buttons on Android, you have to use third-party apps. These are often janky, require extra permissions, and the system recognizes devices based on pre-set profiles. Without built-in game options, changing the layout for a specific title is impossible. Code in the latest test version of Android references a new system that will change this approach, specifically a CONTROLLER_REMAPPING permission intended for system components.

A key element of the update could be a "virtual gamepad" technology. Essentially, this is a software layer that will emulate a connected input device. Users will be able to reassign physical buttons to their liking, and the game will receive a processed signal from this virtual controller, unable to distinguish it from a real one.

This system also opens up another possibility—using a gamepad in games that didn't originally support it. The virtual joystick will be able to simulate taps on specific areas of the touchscreen, which is particularly relevant for cloud gaming and older titles. This development seems like a logical step given the growing market of Android-based handheld consoles and games where input precision is crucial. The new settings are expected to be managed through a dedicated section in the system menu.

The appearance of these features in Android 17 is not yet guaranteed, as Google may still refine or delay them. The stable release of the update isn't expected until the second half of 2026 at the earliest.