Using your game controller as a mouse on Android may soon be a reality as strings of code have been found that reference the development of such a feature. You can already use a connected game controller to move around the Android UI to some degree, but not necessarily the entire UI, and that is reportedly what this new development is about.
The changes will be significant, but there’s no clear indication of when Google plans to actually roll this out. If you can’t wait, there are currently some options that act as a workaround. For example, controllers with a touchpad, or using a third-party app to do the mapping. However, Google’s implementation will make this native and therefore less limiting to a larger number of users.
Android will let you use a game controller for free mouse-style movement
The big deal here with this feature is the ability to use the controller to control a mouse cursor, just like what you would use a mouse for on a PC, or like you would use the touchpad for on any of the brand new Googlebook laptops.
According to Android Authority, Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 contains strings of codes referencing things like “Gamepad mouse” and “Use a connected gamepad to control the cursor.” It’s also noted that the mouse control would let you perform actions, such as clicking on elements to launch an app or close a floating app window.
Using a controller with a touchpad for this same mouse-style cursor control right now works similar to how it does in games like Final Fantasy XIV when you use a PS5 controller. Even with the game’s controls set to controller mode, dragging your finger across the touchpad allows a mouse cursor to pop up and move it around the game’s UI.
