Google’s Android 17 to Introduce Dedicated Gaming Mode for Foldables
A new system-level gaming mode for foldable devices is on the horizon, featuring a fully customizable virtual gamepad designed to mimic physical controllers.
Google plans to introduce a dedicated gaming mode for foldable devices with the release of the Android 17 platform in the coming months. The feature was detailed by Google’s Mishaal Rahman in a statement on Reddit.
The core feature is a virtual gamepad that emulates physical button presses at the system level. This design ensures compatibility with any game that supports physical controllers, bridging the gap between touch and traditional gaming hardware.
The virtual controller includes a full suite of standard controls:
- A D-pad
- Left and right virtual sticks
- Action buttons (A, B, X, Y)
- Shoulder buttons (L1, L2, L3, R1, R2, R3)
- A start button
Users will have significant control over the gamepad’s layout and feel. Customization options include the ability to:
- Position the joysticks inline or staggered
- Scale the button size
- Toggle haptic feedback
Activation is context-aware and intuitive. The mode triggers automatically when a user unfolds the device, either before or after launching a compatible game.
For flexibility, users can also hide the virtual gamepad entirely. Furthermore, connecting a physical controller will automatically disable the virtual one, ensuring a seamless transition between input methods.