Remapping a video game’s buttons is an important feature that can help make gaming sessions more comfortable, make you a better gamer, and open up the experience to new players. Unfortunately, not all games support customizable controls, and some have limited options. And even if a game has robust input customizations, changing the settings in each game becomes a chore.

Fortunately, almost every modern gaming platform includes native accessibility to remap controls for all the games and apps you use on the device – even those that don’t typically support custom input.

Here are simple steps to remap keystrokes on:

Before we get into the instructions, a quick note: while mapping your controls at the system level is convenient, it can create confusion within a game. Some newer games will automatically change the in-game instructions based on your system settings. However, for older titles, remapping your controls will not change any on-screen instructions or guidance.

For example, if you change the “X” button on your controller to be the “R1” trigger, the game text will still prompt you to press the “X” button, which can be confusing. The input changes persist – even if the game says “Push X”, press the R1 trigger instead to perform the same action – but it’s important to take this into account before starting a game after changing the system controller settings have changed.

Nintendo Switch

These instructions work with Switch Joycons, the Pro Controller, and the Switch Lite.

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  1. Press the Home button, then select the gear-shaped Settings icon from the bottom menu.
  2. Go to System Settings> Controllers and Sensors> Change Button Mapping.
  3. Select the controller that you want to remap from the list and select it “Change.”
  4. Use the on-screen instructions to remap the buttons on your switch controller (Note: The Home, Sync, Power, and Volume buttons cannot be remapped or disabled.
  5. When you’re happy with your new layout, choose “Back,” then “Done” to confirm and save your changes.

Xbox Series X / S and Xbox One

Standard regulator

  1. Press the Xbox button to access the Xbox Guide menu.
  2. Choose Profile and system.
  3. Go to Settings> Ease of Access> Controller> Button Mapping.
  4. Use the guide to remap the buttons on your controller.

Xbox Elite Controller and Xbox Adaptive Controller

  1. Press the Xbox button to access the Xbox Guide menu.
  2. Go to My games & apps> Show all> Apps.
  3. Open “Xbox accessories. “
  4. Scroll to the controller and select “Configure.”
  5. Select a profile or create a new one.
  6. From the profile menu, select “Mapping” Use the tab, then use the on-screen instructions to remap the controls.

PlayStation 5

  1. Press the DualSense controller PS button to open the PS5 home screen.
  2. Scroll over and select “The settings.”
  3. Go to Accessibility> Controllers> Custom Key Assignments
  4. Switch “Enable custom key assignments.”
  5. Choose “User-defined key assignment” and remap your button layout using the on-screen instructions.
  6. You can also choose “Turn on the left and right analog sticks” swap their in-game roles.

Playstation 4

  1. Press the PS button Then go to your DualShock 4 controller Settings> Accessibility.
  2. Choose “Customizing key assignments.”
  3. Use the menu to remap the buttons on your controller.
  4. Choose “To confirm” to save the changes.

Apple (iOS, iPadOS, Apple TV)

Apple’s products support many Bluetooth gaming controllers, and the company is slowly adding helpful features like button remapping to the Settings app. Xbox controllers are the latest devices to have full button customization options in iOS. However, many other gamepads can also be remapped.

  1. Connect a supported controller to your Apple device via bluetooth.
  2. Open the Settings app and go to General> Game Controller> Customizations.
  3. Choose “Activate adjustments.”
  4. Use the menu to adjust the input options. The available settings vary depending on the controller used. For example, the menu lists the A, B, X, and Y buttons for Xbox controllers and the Triangle, Square, Circle, and Cross buttons for a PlayStation controller.
  5. You can also use this menu to create custom input profiles for individual games. Just scroll to the bottom of the controller customization menu and tap “Add App” Then select an app or game from the list.

Android

Unfortunately, there aren’t many built-in controller options on Android, and there’s no way to natively change the functions of a button in the Android Settings app. A third-party app is required to fully remap your Bluetooth controller on Android, e.g. Mantis gamepad or the remapper app from 8bitDo (can be used with the controllers).

Pc

There are many ways to remap your controls on your PC. To keep things simple, let’s focus on the two simplest methods: using Steam Controller Settings and the Windows 10 Xbox Accessories app. Both options should cover most of the games and controllers you will be playing. However, if these methods don’t work for you, there is likely another solution, from official (and unofficial) apps to checking the in-game settings.

Remap controls in Steam

Note: Steam makes it easy to apply custom controls from Steam Settings, but the changes need to be applied to every game you play.

  1. Connect a Steam-supported controller to your PC via USB or Bluetooth (a list of controllers supported by Steam can be found here).
  2. Open Steam and enable Big Picture Mode. If this is your first time using the device, go to Settings> Controller Settings> Add ControllerThen follow the instructions on how to use the controller in Steam.
  3. Go to Library Tab, then highlight a game.
  4. Choose Manage Game> Controller Configuration.
  5. Change the layout to your liking or choose “Search” to import a custom layout uploaded by another user.
  6. Save your changes and repeat these steps for any other games that you use the controller with.

Customize the button layout in the Xbox Accessories app for Windows

This works for Xbox One, Xbox Series X / S, Xbox Elite, and Xbox Adaptive controllers connected to your PC.

  1. Download the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Connect your Xbox controller to your PC.
  3. Open the Xbox Accessories app and select the controller.
  4. click “Configure.”
  5. Select a profile or create a new one.
  6. Use the drop-down menus in the Configure menu to create your preferred controller input, or select one of the predefined button mappings.
  7. Choose “Back” when you’re done. Your changes will be saved.
  8. Make sure the controller profile is set to slot 1.
  9. You can now close the app and start playing.

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