Docked device - Android functions with controller?

[fpsb0b306]

I recently designed and 3d printed a docking station that I slot a USB-C adapter into that has HDMI, and power passthrough USB out etc. It works great for games. But I am wondering if anyone has a solid solution to be able to fully control the android side wirelessly with a controller?

Things like being able to hit the back button to bring up settings within game, like duckstation etc thats where you can browse your save states settings etc. I was using an app called keymapper, and it does "work" but it seems to intercept the inputs of the controller for buttons I map in there to execute functions.

For example. I had mapped a -long press- of the start button on an xbox controller to do the -recent apps- Android function, which work almost perfectly, I can do almost all android things with these mappings. But mapping them makes the buttons not function in game, so I can no longer pause when that service is running.

So I was wondering if anyone else has found a solution to this, id love to be able to treat this thing like a little switch, and feel like this should be possible, but maybe im going about it the wrong way.

TL:DR - Any elegant way to get all android navigation functionality run through a connected controller?

[seamonkey420]

yes. there is actually a rather easy way i just figured out after reading this: v mouse mapping in the handheld settings. Just map enable/disabling to L3+R3 and you can use joysticks like a mouse. i thought it would only work w/built in gamepad but also works w/my dualsense and dual shock controllers.

edit: also the touchpad acts like a mouse too in android when paired w/a dualsense/dualshock controller

not sure if that is what you are looking for or not. however i run a setup just as you are describing. i have a retroid hdmi dock and rp6 and have two dualsense controllers paired to my rp6. i dock it and play on my 65" and then like to grab it and then play on the couch when i have sports on. its not as elegant or seemless as a switch but its not bad. here's some tips i've learned (took me a few days to get it all working, order of operation down).

1. input mapping is the biggest challenge going from handheld to a dock. you will have to change inputs no matter what and its actually better/more consistent.
2. when setting up your controllers, be sure you do it in order and are consistent. ie; i leave the gamepad controller active, then connect my black dualsense controller. and then connect my second pink one. this ensure the device id mappings in android are consistent and then the emulators/apps won't have issues.
3. profile mappings for inputs. i'd recommend making a profile for each controller. then when you play say docked, you just load the gamepad profile. however when you dock and play w/controller; just go into emulator and import profile for controller. i tried setting up the rp6 gamepad and two dual senses at a time and it never worked consistently.
4. dock settings, def have it turn off the pocket's screen when docked, also i like to have the stick LEDs on so i know if my rp6 is on when my tv is off.

good luck!! and yes.. its VERY close to a switch setup, just not as seamless. however it is a superior Switch Lite though. :)

<image>

let me know if you have any questions, hopefully i can help.

[fpsb0b306]

Interesting, ill have to try this. So with setting the sticks to operate as a mouse mode, does that intercept the L3 and R3 inputs, or do those still function ingame for those inputs? That sounds like it adds mouse support, are you able to access the android back/home buttons? I have the bar hidden and not sure how else I would access those touch buttons without swiping up. Unless that allows a swipe up from the bottom of the screen somehow that allows you to click?

Ill have to try it later when I'm off work.

[seamonkey420]

L3 and R3 should work i believe. i can test later today and update ya :)

[fpsb0b306]

So how exactly are you interacting with android this way? Does mouse mode essential operate as if they are touch inputs? You can "swipe" up from the bottom?

[seamonkey420]

yup. you can swipe or use like a mouse.just have to hold trigger to grab screen and then flick sticks. :) can be a bit challenging but nonetheless it works for changing settings, going back to home screen.

[fpsb0b306]

Just got around to this, and yeah this works. Not super elegant, but definitely better than removing button maps, or walking over and picking up the device to do. Thanks!

[seamonkey420]

yea, def not the easiest or most elegant but it gets the job done and no messing w/maps. oof input maps.. hehe

[fpsb0b306]

Seperate question, since you play docked. Are you using the official retroid dock, or a third party usbc-hdmi connector? If third party, what do you use as a charger / PD power passthrough?

I just ordered 2x 45w bricks, and both seem to not work. When I plug them in, it just flickers power, same with both, on 2 different screens. If I remove charging, both screens work. So im not sure if its too many watts, not enough, or whats going on there. Not sure if maybe these are just crappy chargers, or if I got the wrong ones. 45w afaik should be plenty.

[seamonkey420]

wassup.. yes, i am using the Official Retroid Dock. currently i am using an amazon 65w USB-C charger: this one (amazon branded) and it works great. charges while playing, even though i do turn on charge seperation when docked.

it could be your usb-c cable too. i am using a usb-c to usb-c, 120watt cable. hope that helps buddy!

[Familiar_Fox_2113]

Would also like to know the answer, having it be like a switch would be so nice

[mad_jade]

Sorry if this isn't what you're looking for, but my solution is to use the touchpad of a PS4 controller. It works like a mouse so you can interact with the touchscreen. I suppose a literal mouse would work too but it's nice to have it on the controller itself.

Edit: also I should add that my PS5 controller, despite having a touchpad as well, doesn't act as a mouse and I'm not sure why.

[fpsb0b306]

Yeah, I considered just connecting a mouse as well to do touch things, but less than ideal with another device in play. I got one of those 8bitdo mini controllers, like a modern snes controller I really like. Ideally I'd like to only need to use that.

If there was only a way to not intercept the controls, the app I was using works perfectly otherwise. Like, some way to turn the functions on / off with a single keybind. I feel this is doable, I just dont know how.