Google will improve Android 17's gaming capabilities by teaching the OS to remap gamepad buttons

Google will add global remapping of game controller buttons in Android 17

*The new feature will eliminate the need for users to change settings in each individual game and allow them to save a chosen layout at the system level, both for wired and wireless gamepads.*

What will change
- Global setting: users can reassign buttons (L3/R3, L2/R2, etc.) in one place – the system menu.

- Persistent saving: the selected scheme will be stored on the device and applied to all games without additional developer configuration.

- Cross‑platform support: simplified switching between game controllers from different manufacturers.

Current state of Android
Android already recognizes many devices, including wireless DualSense gamepads. They usually work “out of the box,” but if a user wants to change the layout they must go into each game's settings or wait for game and engine developers to add support. This leads to inconsistent depth of customization and repeated reconfiguration.

How it is implemented
Mishaal Rahman, Google’s Android community specialist, described the new feature in detail on Reddit:

- Game Controller menu: available in system settings. Allows changing button assignments and even moving the action tied to a joystick press onto any action button.

- Saving the scheme: after changing the layout, the system saves it and applies it to any connected controller.

Where to find the settings
On Google Pixel devices (with the Android 17 beta) Settings → System → Game Controller.
Wireless controllers: Connected Devices → Device details → Game Controller settings

> Important: In the current Android 17 beta, some devices may have issues displaying button names. However, remapping works correctly – the system uses the actual controller configuration even if the icons on screen differ.

Conclusion
With this new feature, Google will free users from fragmented game settings and make control more convenient and consistent. This is especially useful for those who use multiple gamepads or frequently switch between platforms.