For mobile gamers, customizing controller layouts has long required third-party apps or specialized hardware. That may be about to change. New evidence from a pre-release build of Android suggests Google is developing a native, system-level feature to remap buttons on Bluetooth game controllers, a move that could significantly enhance the gaming experience on Android devices and support the company's broader platform ambitions.
A First Look at the Feature in Development
The upcoming feature was discovered hidden within the Settings app of the latest Android Canary 2512 build, a pre-release version intended for developers. On the Bluetooth device details page for a connected controller like Sony's DualSense, a new "Game Controller settings" menu appears. This menu, which currently must be forced to display, is divided into two main sections: "Keys" for remappable buttons and "Axes" for directional inputs. The "Keys" section includes standard inputs such as A, B, X, Y, shoulder buttons (L1, L2, R1, R2), and stick clicks (L3, R3). The "Axes" section covers the D-pad and both analog sticks. Tapping any option opens a dialog to customize the input signal sent to games.
Feature Discovery & Status:
- Source: Android Canary 2512 build (pre-release developer version).
- Location: Hidden "Game Controller settings" menu under Bluetooth device details.
- Status: In active development, not yet publicly available.
Remappable Inputs:
- Keys (Buttons): A, B, X, Y, L1, L2, R1, R2, L3 (Left Stick Click), R3 (Right Stick Click).
- Axes (Directional): D-pad, Left Stick, Right Stick.
Current Industry Alternatives:
- Third-Party Apps: Razer Controller app (for Razer hardware), GameSir app.
- OEM Software: Custom gaming features on ASUS ROG Phones, REDMAGIC phones, and others.
How the System-Level Remapping Works
The mechanism is straightforward but powerful. Android has internally translated controller button presses into standardized key codes and axis values for years, which game developers then map to in-game actions. This new feature operates by intercepting that translation process. When a user remaps, for example, the physical "A" button to function as "B," the system changes the key code it transmits to the game. This standardization is key; it ensures games work with any controller without needing specific drivers, as Android handles the translation internally. This is why the menu shows generic Xbox-style labels (A, B, X, Y) even for a PlayStation DualSense controller—internally, Android maps the Square, Circle, Triangle, and Cross buttons to those codes.
Current Limitations and Room for Improvement
As with any early development build, the current implementation has notable limitations. The most apparent is the generic button labeling, which doesn't reflect the actual icons on a connected controller (like the PlayStation's shapes), potentially causing user confusion. Furthermore, the process of selecting a new input requires scrolling through a menu rather than the more intuitive method of simply pressing the desired button on the controller—a standard in console and PC remapping tools. There is also no visible support for remapping extra inputs like the rear paddles found on many premium controllers, a feature specifically designed for customization.
The Context: Filling an Android Gaming Gap
This development addresses a clear gap in Android's gaming ecosystem. While button remapping is possible today, it relies on third-party solutions. Apps from manufacturers like Razer or ASUS offer this functionality, but typically only for their own hardware. Gaming-centric phones from brands like REDMAGIC or ASUS ROG have similar features baked into their custom software. Google's move to integrate this feature natively into the Android operating system would democratize access, making advanced controller customization available to all users with a standard Bluetooth gamepad, regardless of their phone model.
A Strategic Move for Android's Future
The introduction of native controller remapping is likely more than just a quality-of-life update for mobile gamers. It is a strategic feature that aligns with Google's reported ambitions to expand Android onto personal computers. For Android to be a viable gaming platform on desktops and laptops, robust and flexible controller support is essential, as many PC games lack touchscreen alternatives. By building these features directly into the OS, Google signals to game developers that Android is a serious, standardized platform for gaming, potentially encouraging more developers to port their titles. The feature is expected to debut with the full release of Android 17, which is not anticipated until late 2026.