How to test a controller on Android
Pair your gamepad via Bluetooth or connect it using a USB-C OTG cable, open this page in Google Chrome on your Android device, and press any button to awaken the browser Gamepad API.
Android natively supports standard HID gamepads. This mobile-optimized diagnostic tool renders responsive thumbstick coordinates, analog trigger depth gauges, and active button badges directly on your phone screen with zero app installations.
Which controllers work with Android
Android 10+ natively supports Sony DualSense, DualShock 4, Xbox Wireless Controller (Bluetooth / Type-C), Nintendo Switch Pro, 8BitDo, and dedicated mobile controllers like Razer Kishi and GameSir G8.
Most standard controllers map cleanly to Android's native Linux kernel gamepad driver (vendor keylayout files), enabling plug-and-play operation for mobile gaming, emulation, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Bluetooth vs USB-OTG
USB-C OTG cables deliver virtually zero input lag and eliminate wireless interference, while Bluetooth provides wire-free convenience at the cost of 8msโ16ms polling latency.
For cloud gaming (GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming) and high-speed emulation, a direct USB-C OTG connection ensures reliable input delivery without Bluetooth packet dropping.
What Android cannot test
Mobile browsers on Android do not support WebHID, meaning raw DualSense adaptive trigger force commands, gyroscope motion packets, and battery percentages cannot be accessed on phones.
While standard analog sticks, triggers, and digital buttons function seamlessly on mobile, advanced hardware features requiring vendor-specific WebHID reports require a desktop computer running Chrome or Edge.
Controller pairs but does nothing in games
If your controller inputs register on this tester but fail to work in a mobile game, the issue is game-specific controller support rather than a hardware defect.
Many popular mobile games (like Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact) restrict gamepad support to specific controller IDs or require entering an in-game match before gamepad input is enabled.
Testing on iPhone and iPad
Mobile Safari on iOS and iPadOS supports basic Gamepad API testing for MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation controllers paired via Bluetooth.
Ensure your Apple device is running iOS 14.5 or newer for full DualSense and Xbox Series controller button layout support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test a controller on my phone?
Yes. Pair it over Bluetooth or connect by USB-OTG, then open this page in Chrome on Android and press any button. Inputs register live in the browser.
Do I need an app to test a controller on Android?
No. Everything runs in the browser โ no install, no permissions beyond the page itself.
Why can I not test gyro or battery on mobile?
Those readings need WebHID, which no mobile browser currently supports. Use a desktop or laptop with Chrome or Edge for those tests.
My controller connects but does not work in a game โ why?
Android pairing and in-game support are separate. If inputs register here, the controller is fine and the game either lacks support or needs its own mapping.
Does this work on iPhone?
Basic gamepad testing works in Safari on recent iOS versions, though support is more limited than Android Chrome.