Check if Android Games Support a USB Controller

4 Parts:

Steps

Controller Compatibility List for Android games

Tips

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You may have come across one of our other gaming related articles Connect Xbox 360 controller to Samsung Galaxy S4 on using a USB controller with your Android phone. You might have even gone on to try your controller with your device, and you may again have ended up wondering why some games work with the controller, while others don't. Android is a touch-based operating system by design, but that doesn't mean game developers have forgotten about the handheld controller.

If you've connected your own controller but don't know which games support it, or how to check, then read on below for the How-To.

1. 1
   From your Android device, head to the Play Store

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   If you've removed the icon from your home screen, just open your apps folder to locate and open the store.

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2. 2
   Any time you are looking at an app to purchase or download, there will be a description section

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   This is often found in a minimized view, so press the arrows next to "Description" to view.

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3. 3
   There is no standard layout for the description, so it's always best to read through the entire section

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   Besides listing USB controller support, you can also find other useful information, such as support information for your specific device.

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4. 4
   Check the example below for Grand Theft Auto III

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   You can see in the description: Game-pad support for select USB Controllers.

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5. 5
   Notice that the description mentions "Select USB controllers"

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   As a general rule, if your controller is USB Plug & Play compliant, you should have no problem. If you are using an unbranded device or an adapter for a non-USB device, then you'll have to rely on trial and error to check for compatibility. In any case, it's always recommended to use a Plug & Play compliant controller.

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6. 6
   You can apply the above to any game in the store

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   There is no rule for developers to list compatibility or not, so you may come across games that support your controller that didn't have compatibility listed in the description. If there are contact details in the description or a link for technical support, you can use these to contact the developer directly when in doubt.

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• If your game does not mention compatibility in the Play Store description, or if you just want a quick reference for games that are compatible with a USB controller, simply check our list below.

• Important note: VisiHow presents this list as a quick reference for compatibility. Compatibility can be affected as developers update or amend games, or Google updates or amends the Android OS. Compatibility also depends on your specific device and controller combination.

• The Android ecosystem is vast and fragmented. Compatibility will always depend on the specific game, controller, device and version of Android you are running.
• If you've purchased a game but still can't get your controller to work, make sure you are refunded for the game at the store within 15 minutes of purchasing it. Just open the Play Store, search for the app you've installed on the app description page and press "Refund."

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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