GBA Emulator: Play Retro Games logo
CONTROLS / FIND YOUR FEEL

Controls & Controller Support

On-screen buttons you can move and resize, separate layouts for portrait and landscape, and controller support when you want a real gamepad.

Customize Your Controls ↘Try the layout editor →
★ MOVE.
RESIZE.
PLAY.
01 / MEET THE LAYOUT

Everything within
a thumb's reach.

Numbers match the list beside the device.

123456
  1. D-padMove and navigate.
  2. A and BThe action buttons.
  3. L and RShoulder buttons, for GBA games only.
  4. Start and SelectSit under the D-pad.
  5. MenuOpens the pause menu.
  6. Gameplay barSave, Fast, Cheats and Controls, one tap away.
02 / MAKE IT YOURS

Drag it. Size it.
Keep it.

A miniature of the layout editor. Drag a control, pick it, then resize it. Portrait and landscape are separate.

Drag any control. Use the slider to resize the one you picked.

03 / PORTRAIT AND LANDSCAPE

Upright on the go.
Wide when you settle in.

Each orientation has its own control layout, so a comfortable landscape setup does not have to compromise your portrait one.

  • 01

    Set it per game

    In Game Settings, orientation can be Automatic, Portrait or Landscape.

  • 02

    Separate layouts

    Move and resize controls independently for each orientation.

  • 03

    Reset any time

    Reset returns the current orientation to its defaults, and nothing changes until you tap Save.

04 / PHYSICAL CONTROLLER

Prefer a gamepad?

Connect one and play the traditional way.

The app supports controller input. Settings → Controller shows whether a controller is connected, and the button mapping the app uses. It is the standard Android gamepad mapping, and it applies to every game.

  • 01

    Touch buttons step aside

    With Touch controls on Automatic, they hide only while a controller is connected.

  • 02

    Always or Never

    Choose to always show or never show them, globally or per game.

  • 03

    A friendly warning

    Hiding touch buttons with no controller connected asks you to confirm first. You can still reach Menu.

Actual Android app Settings screen with Display, Touch controls, Controller, Sound and Game library
YOUR GAME.
YOUR RULES.✦
05 / THE SETTINGS THAT MATTER

Where it all lives.

  • 01

    Settings → Touch controls

    Visibility, Customize controls (move and resize), the Show cheats button and Show fast-forward button toggles, and a reset for per-game touch preferences.

  • 02

    Settings → Controller

    Connection status and the button mapping.

  • 03

    Game Settings (pause menu)

    Per game: orientation, picture size, image style, speed and touch controls.

Real app Settings screenshot.

CONTROLS / QUICK ANSWERS

Control
questions.

All controls questions →
Can I move and resize the touch controls?
Yes. Go to Settings → Touch controls → Customize controls, or tap Controls on the gameplay bar. Move and resize each control. Nothing changes until you tap Save.
Do portrait and landscape share one layout?
No. Each orientation has its own layout, so you can arrange them differently.
Can I change my controller's button mapping?
The app uses the standard Android gamepad mapping, which you can see under Settings → Controller. It applies to every game.
Do L and R show up for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games?
No. Only Game Boy Advance games have shoulder buttons, so L and R appear only for GBA games.
Official GBA Emulator app iconMOVE. RESIZE. PLAY.

Make it yours.

Comfortable controls, in portrait or landscape, with or without a gamepad.

Customize Your Controls ↘
Bring your own compatible game files. Games are not included.