Android 17 to add virtual gamepad mode for foldables
The Android 17 feature will use one half of a foldable screen as touch controls for games that support physical controllers.
By Hana Yoshida · Markets Reporter
2 min read
Android 17 will add a gaming mode for foldable phones that turns part of the display into a virtual controller, Google’s Mishaal Rahman said on Reddit. The feature matters for foldable owners because it aims to bring controller-style play without requiring a separate Bluetooth or snap-on gamepad.
Rahman said the mode is planned for release in the coming months and is built for foldable devices. When active, one half of the screen can show a touch-based gamepad while the game runs on the other half.
The virtual controller is designed to mimic hardware controller inputs at the Android system level, Rahman said. He said that means it should work with any game that already supports physical controllers, rather than requiring game developers to add separate support for the on-screen controls.
The control layout described by Rahman covers the main inputs players would expect from a standard gamepad. It includes a D-pad, left and right virtual analog sticks, A, B, X and Y buttons, shoulder and trigger inputs labeled L1, L2, L3, R1, R2 and R3, plus a start button.
Rahman said Android 17 will also offer several ways to adjust the layout. Players will be able to set the two sticks in line with each other or offset them, change button sizes and turn haptic feedback on or off.
Starting the mode is meant to be tied to the foldable form factor, according to Rahman. He said users can enable it by opening the device either before launching a compatible game or after the game is already running.
The feature also includes an option to hide the on-screen gamepad, Rahman said. If a user connects a physical controller, Android will automatically disable the virtual one, according to his description.
Rahman framed the feature as a way to fill a gap between ordinary touch controls and carrying dedicated controller hardware. He said many Android games work well with touch input, but some play better with a physical gamepad; the new foldable mode is intended to offer a controller-like option when extra hardware is inconvenient.
The feature is specific to foldable devices, according to Rahman’s post. Google has not provided additional details in the report about which foldable models will receive it first or whether manufacturers will be able to customize the experience.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.