The capability to use external gamepads with mobile games running on the Android operating system enhances the gaming experience. It involves a devices ability to recognize and respond to input from a peripheral controller, translating button presses and joystick movements into in-game actions. As an example, connecting a Bluetooth gamepad to an Android phone and using it to control a character in a racing or shooting game exemplifies this feature.
This functionality is significant as it allows for more precise control and improved ergonomics compared to touchscreen controls, approximating the experience of playing on a dedicated gaming console. Historically, the increasing power of mobile processors and the growing complexity of mobile games have driven the demand for better input methods. The advent of standardized APIs within the Android OS simplified the integration of controllers, thus widening availability of games that support them.