Recent reports indicate that Google is in the process of developing two built-in gaming functionalities for the Android 17 operating system: controller button remapping and a virtual game controller. These features are slated for an official rollout in June 2026.

The controller button remapping capability empowers gamers to tailor controller button configurations at the system level. This effectively addresses the issue of mismatched button layouts across various controller brands, while also catering to individual player preferences for customized controls. To maintain system stability, this feature will be restricted to system-level applications only.

On the other hand, the virtual game controller feature creates a software-based simulation of a physical controller. It offers comprehensive input support, delivering a precise gaming experience for players who lack access to a physical controller. Additionally, it can act as a compatibility layer, bridging the gap for older games that were not originally designed to support controller input.

Together, these two innovations are poised to significantly enhance the gaming experience within the Android ecosystem, helping to close the performance gap with iOS devices in terms of gaming support.