Android 17 promises to be a game-changer for gamers, particularly those using Galaxy smartphones and tablets, as it is expected to bring significant gaming improvements through the upcoming One UI 9 update. The new Android version, internally codenamed ‘Cinnamon Bun,’ introduces enhanced support for gamepads, allowing for native controller remapping. While current Android versions support popular controllers like the Xbox Wireless Controller and PlayStation DualSense, Android 17 aims to expand this by enabling button remapping for less common controllers.
A new permission, android.permission.CONTROLLER_REMAPPING, has been identified, suggesting that users may soon have the ability to remap controls via a dedicated section in the Settings app. This feature, known as Virtual Gamepad, will convert actual gamepad key presses into virtual ones, supporting face buttons, menu buttons, D-Pad, bumpers, triggers, and joysticks. This innovation will facilitate button remapping in games that currently lack this option and will allow for the mapping of on-screen touch controls in games without controller support.
