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To play ICO on Android with a controller, complete two separate steps: pair the gamepad with Android, then assign it to Port 1 in your PlayStation 2 emulator. Pairing alone does not make the emulator control the game. AetherSX2 and NetherSX2 provide the second step through Controller Settings, where you can bind every ICO action and save the result as an input profile.
What the setup requires
ICO is a PlayStation 2 game, so Android runs it through a PS2 emulator rather than as a native Android title. Your controller is first registered by Android and then exposed to the emulator. The complete chain is:
- Put the controller into Bluetooth pairing mode, or connect it with a compatible cable.
- Pair or connect it in Android settings.
- Open AetherSX2 or NetherSX2 after Android reports the controller as connected.
- Choose that controller for the emulated first pad, usually called Port 1.
- Bind the ICO controls and save the input profile.
You need an Android phone or tablet, a compatible PS4, PS5, or generic Bluetooth controller, and an installed AetherSX2 or NetherSX2 setup with your legally obtained copy of ICO. A controller can appear in Android’s Bluetooth list and still be unassigned inside the emulator, so do not skip the Port 1 step.
PS4, PS5, and generic controller differences
| Controller | Android requirement or support note | Pairing action | ICO-specific considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Bluetooth controller | Android Bluetooth controller support; the documented Android path is Connected devices → Pair new device | Use the controller’s own pairing-mode command, then select its name in Android | Bind every stick, face button, shoulder control, trigger, and pause input manually if labels do not match |
| PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 | Bluetooth pairing is supported on compatible Android devices | With the controller off, hold Share and PS until the light bar flashes; select DUALSHOCK 4 in Android Bluetooth devices | The controller can be paired with only one device at a time, so pairing must be repeated when moving between a phone, tablet, and console |
| PS5 DualSense | Sony lists Android 12 and later for DualSense Bluetooth connections | With the controller off, hold Create and PS for at least three seconds until the light bar and player indicator flash; select it during Android Bluetooth discovery | Adaptive triggers are not supported on Android mobile devices; configure ICO around ordinary buttons, sticks, and rumble |
No controlled latency or device-by-device performance figures are established by the cited compatibility guidance. Your phone, Android build, emulator version, and controller firmware can affect the experience, so use the mapping and troubleshooting checks below rather than assuming every pad behaves identically.
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- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Pair a generic Bluetooth controller with Android
1. Enter pairing mode
Turn on the controller and use its documented Bluetooth pairing command. The exact button combination differs among generic pads. A flashing status light usually indicates that the controller is discoverable; consult the controller’s own instructions if it remains in ordinary play mode.
2. Open Android Bluetooth settings
- Open Settings on the phone or tablet.
- Tap Connected devices.
- Tap Pair new device.
- Wait for the controller name to appear, then tap it.
- Accept a pairing request or PIN if Android displays one.
Android’s official help documents both Bluetooth and wired controller connections. Continue only when Android shows the gamepad as connected, not merely as an unknown or previously seen Bluetooth device.
3. Launch the emulator after connection
Close and reopen AetherSX2 or NetherSX2 if it was already running while the controller was being paired. Starting the emulator after Android has established the connection makes device selection easier and prevents an old or disconnected pad from being assigned to Port 1.
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Use Share and PS pairing mode
- Turn the DUALSHOCK 4 off.
- Hold Share and PS together.
- Keep holding until the light bar flashes.
- On Android, open Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device.
- Select DUALSHOCK 4 when it appears.
Sony states that a DUALSHOCK 4 can be paired with only one device at a time. If it was last used with a console, computer, phone, or tablet, repeat the Share-plus-PS procedure when switching to a different device. A successful Bluetooth connection to one device does not mean the controller is simultaneously available to another.
If the DUALSHOCK 4 does not appear
- Confirm that the controller is off before holding Share and PS.
- Keep holding both buttons until the light bar is visibly flashing.
- Move away from another device that may immediately reclaim the controller.
- Remove an old DUALSHOCK 4 entry from Android’s saved Bluetooth devices and run pairing mode again if Android keeps trying an earlier connection.
Pair a PS5 DualSense
Use Create and PS pairing mode
- Turn the DualSense off.
- Hold Create and PS for at least three seconds.
- Release the buttons when the light bar and player indicator begin flashing.
- On Android, open Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device.
- Select the DualSense in the discovered-device list.
Sony’s guidance lists Android 12 and later for DualSense Bluetooth connections. On an older Android release, the controller may fail to appear or may connect without providing reliable game input. Updating Android is the relevant compatibility check before changing emulator bindings.
What to expect from DualSense features
Adaptive triggers are not supported on Android mobile devices. ICO therefore needs a conventional mapping for its buttons, analog sticks, triggers, and rumble behavior; do not expect the adaptive-trigger effects available in supported console games. The DualSense’s standard controls remain suitable for ICO once Port 1 is configured.
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Assign the controller to ICO in AetherSX2 or NetherSX2
Open Controller Settings
- Launch AetherSX2 or NetherSX2.
- Open the emulator’s settings menu.
- Select Controller Settings.
- Choose the connected gamepad as the device for the emulated first controller, commonly labeled Port 1.
The emulator FAQ documents automatic and manual mapping, Bluetooth input profiles, and Port 1 configuration. Menu wording can vary slightly between emulator builds, but the required outcome is the same: the Android-connected pad must be selected for the first virtual PS2 controller.
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Map automatically when detection is reliable
Use the emulator’s automatic mapping option if it identifies the controller correctly. Test both analog sticks, all four face buttons, R1 and R2, and the pause control before launching a long session. Automatic detection can assign a different name or axis order than the physical markings suggest, especially with generic Bluetooth pads.
Map manually when any input is wrong
For manual setup, select each on-screen binding and press the physical control you want to use. Binding by the control you press is safer than relying on an on-screen letter: a button marked A, B, X, or Y on a generic pad may not correspond to the PlayStation labels shown by the emulator.
Save an input profile
Save the completed Bluetooth mapping as an input profile. A saved profile lets you restore the ICO layout without repeating every binding after reconnecting the controller or changing emulator settings. If a previously working layout disappears, verify that the profile is loaded and that the same physical device is selected for Port 1.
Recommended ICO control map
The following layout follows the ICO manual and keeps movement, camera control, combat, object interaction, and Yorda commands on controls that are practical on PS4, PS5, and conventional PlayStation-style pads.
| ICO function | Recommended physical control | What to bind in the emulator |
|---|---|---|
| Move, run, swim, and move while hanging | Left analog stick | Left-stick horizontal and vertical axes |
| View surroundings | Right analog stick | Right-stick horizontal and vertical axes |
| Jump or pull up | Triangle | Triangle; on both DualSense and DUALSHOCK 4 this is the Triangle button |
| Lunge or strike | Square | Square |
| Activate a switch, pick up, throw, or swing the chain | Circle | Circle |
| Release grip | Cross/X | Cross on PlayStation pads, or the corresponding physical button on a generic pad |
| Hold or call Yorda | R1 | R1 shoulder button |
| Zoom the camera | R2 | R2 trigger |
| Pause | Start or the emulator’s Options-equivalent binding | Start, Options, or the control your emulator exposes for the PS2 Start command |
ICO relies on both analog sticks and on R1/R2 shoulder controls. A mapping that handles only the face buttons is incomplete: you need the right stick for looking, R1 for holding or calling Yorda, and R2 for camera zoom.
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- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Test the mapping before playing
- Start ICO and remain in a safe area while testing.
- Move in all four directions with the left stick; verify that running, swimming, and movement while hanging respond continuously rather than as digital taps.
- Move the right stick in every direction and confirm that the camera view changes without moving Ico.
- Press Triangle to confirm jump or pull-up behavior.
- Press Square to check the lunge or strike.
- Press Circle near an applicable object to test activation, pickup, throwing, or chain swinging.
- Press Cross/X to release a grip.
- Hold and release R1 to test holding or calling Yorda.
- Press R2 to verify camera zoom.
- Press Start or the mapped Options-equivalent control to pause.
If one physical button performs the wrong ICO action, return to Controller Settings and remap that entry by pressing the intended button. Do not compensate by changing several unrelated bindings until you have identified the single incorrect assignment.
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Check whether Android recognized a controller
Open Android’s connected-device view and confirm that the pad is listed as a controller or gamepad. A Bluetooth entry that is merely shown as an unidentified device may not expose usable game-input events. Disconnect and pair again if Android never identifies it as a controller.
Check Port 1 in the emulator
In Controller Settings, verify that the currently connected pad is selected for the emulated first controller. This is the most common gap between successful Android pairing and no ICO input: the operating system knows about the controller, but the emulator’s Port 1 is still empty or assigned to a different gamepad.
Remap the sticks and buttons manually
Run manual binding for the left stick, right stick, Triangle, Square, Circle, Cross/X, R1, R2, and Start/Options. Press each physical control when prompted. This resolves wrong face-button labels, reversed axis assignments, and generic-controller layouts that automatic mapping interpreted incorrectly.
Load or save the correct profile
Make sure the ICO profile is saved after remapping and that the emulator has loaded it for the connected device. If another controller is connected, it may occupy Port 1 while the controller in your hands is assigned elsewhere; disconnect the unused pad or explicitly select the intended one.
Reconnect in the right order
- Exit the game.
- Disconnect the controller in Android.
- Pair it again or reconnect the cable.
- Wait for Android to show a live controller connection.
- Reopen the emulator and confirm Port 1.
- Reload the saved input profile and test the mapping.
This order separates an Android connection problem from an emulator binding problem. If the pad works in Android but not in ICO, focus on Port 1 and mapping rather than repeating the Bluetooth pairing gesture.
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- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
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Use a wired controller when Bluetooth is unreliable
Google Android Help documents compatible wired controllers as an alternative to Bluetooth. Connect the pad to the phone’s USB-C port with a suitable cable, or use a compatible USB-C OTG adapter when the controller’s plug requires one. Android should recognize the wired gamepad before you open the emulator.
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- Wait for Android to register the wired device.
- Open AetherSX2 or NetherSX2.
- Assign the wired controller to Port 1 in Controller Settings.
- Reuse or create an input profile for the wired device.
A wired connection does not remove the emulator-mapping requirement. It only replaces the Bluetooth transport, so still test the sticks, face buttons, shoulder controls, and pause command.
Practical choices by controller type
Choose a DUALSHOCK 4 if you already use one
The PS4 pad has a direct Share-plus-PS pairing procedure and a familiar PlayStation layout. Its one-device pairing limitation means you should plan to repeat pairing whenever you move it between Android and another device.
Choose a DualSense if the device runs Android 12 or later
DualSense works through the Create-plus-PS procedure on Android versions covered by Sony’s guidance. Treat it as a conventional controller for ICO: adaptive triggers are unavailable on Android mobile devices, so they should not influence your mapping decisions.
Choose a generic Bluetooth pad when layout flexibility matters
A generic pad can work when Android recognizes it as a controller, but its labels and axis order may differ. Expect to use manual binding and save a profile. If Bluetooth remains unstable, switch to a compatible wired connection through USB-C or OTG.
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- Opening the emulator before Android has completed pairing.
- Assuming a Bluetooth connection automatically fills the emulator’s Port 1.
- Trusting A/B/X/Y labels instead of binding the physical buttons.
- Leaving the right analog stick unmapped even though ICO uses it for camera viewing.
- Ignoring R1 and R2, which ICO uses for Yorda interaction and zoom.
- Expecting DualSense adaptive triggers to work on Android.
- Forgetting that a DUALSHOCK 4 must be paired again when changing devices.
- Testing only the face buttons and discovering during gameplay that an analog axis is reversed or missing.
- Connecting a wired pad but failing to assign it to Port 1.
Complete setup checklist
- Android lists the controller as connected.
- For DualSense, the device runs Android 12 or later.
- For DUALSHOCK 4, Share and PS were held until the light bar flashed.
- For DualSense, Create and PS were held for at least three seconds.
- The emulator was opened after Android connected the pad.
- The intended pad is selected for Port 1.
- Left and right analog sticks are mapped to their correct axes.
- Triangle, Square, Circle, Cross/X, R1, R2, and Start/Options are bound.
- The input profile was saved and loaded.
- ICO was tested in-game before beginning a full session.
- A compatible USB-C cable or OTG adapter is available if Bluetooth is unreliable.
Once Android recognizes the controller, Port 1 is assigned, and the ICO profile is saved, PS4, PS5, and generic Bluetooth pads can all provide the controls the game expects. The essential distinction is that Android pairing is only the connection layer; the emulator’s controller mapping is what turns that connection into playable ICO input.
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