Android 17 is preparing a major gaming innovation – a hint of full gamepad support has been found

References to a feature that could significantly improve the gaming experience on smartphones have been discovered in the code for the upcoming version of Android 17. This feature calls for full support for physical controllers, including system-wide button remapping and a built-in virtual gamepad.

This feature is expected to allow gamepads to be used even in games where developers haven't specifically designed support for such accessories. This capability could make Android 17 one of the most significant updates for mobile gamers in recent years.