Google may be planning a gaming console-like mobile experience with Android 17: Here’s what may change

Google is reportedly planning to offer a gaming console-like experience on smartphones with Android 17. According to an Android Police report, the tech giant is working to address Android’s long-standing issues with controller support.

The update is expected to introduce system-level improvements that reduce reliance on individual game developers for controller customisation. This comes as mobile gaming continues to grow, with users increasingly pairing smartphones with external controllers. By improving consistency and usability across games, Google aims to simplify gameplay and reduce friction, especially for users switching between platforms or devices with different control layouts.

How Google is planning to improve mobile gaming experience with Android 17

As highlighted in the report, one of the most significant changes in Android 17 is the inclusion of controller remapping as a native feature, which previously relied on game developers and engines. Although Android has supported controller devices like the PS5 DualSense for several years, controller remapping was still not included.According to reports, Google’s Android 17 would include a specialized Game Controller Settings option that lets users adjust buttons, triggers, and joystick input within the game itself.

These adjustments will remain universal across all games, and thus, there won’t be any need for individual control adjustments per game.The report cited Android leaker Mishaal Rahman to claim that Google is making this change to improve accessibility and reduce “muscle memory conflict” when switching between platforms.“For example, you can remap a difficult-to-press thumbstick click to an easier-to-reach face button. Your remapping preferences are saved to your device so you don’t have to set them up every time you reconnect your controller,” Rahman said.The feature is already available in the Android 17 beta for Pixel devices, and can be accessed through Settings. It supports both wired and wireless controllers, though some minor issues with controller glyphs remain in the current version.