TL;DR
- Strings in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 reference unreleased gamepad mouse functionality.
- It looks like a future update will allow free mouse-style cursor control using game controllers.
- It’s unclear when this functionality will be enabled.
Android is working to make game controllers more useful outside of games. Strings in the recent Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 suggest that soon, you’ll be able to use video game controllers for mouse control throughout the Android UI.
You can already control Android using a gamepad, but as it stands today, that control is limited, with controllers manipulating a cursor that snaps between clickable elements on screen. When the new gamepad mouse feature we’ve spotted evidence for rolls out, though, you’ll be able to use your gamepad to freely control a mouse-style cursor.
