Android 17 is rolling out a new feature that turns your foldable device into a portable gaming console. With this dedicated gaming mode, half of the screen will display a virtual gamepad complete with touch controls, making it easier to play games on the go.

The virtual controller can be configured in various ways, such as keeping the joysticks inline or staggered, scaling button sizes, and enabling haptics. It works seamlessly with any game that supports physical controllers, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience without needing a Bluetooth device.

Activating the mode is simple: unfold your device before or after launching a compatible game. You can even hide the gamepad if you prefer to use it discreetly, and connecting a physical controller will disable the virtual one automatically.

Mishaal Rahman from Reddit explains that this feature aims to bridge the gap between touch controls and traditional gamepads. While many games work excellently with touch controls, some are better enjoyed with physical controllers. This new mode addresses that by offering users the best of both worlds in a foldable device.