The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Connect the controller in Android first, then assign it to Port 1 in your PS2 emulator. For ICO, map both analog sticks, the four face buttons, R1, R2 and pause manually in AetherSX2 or NetherSX2, then save the profile. A DUALSHOCK 4 pairs with Share + PS; a DualSense pairs with Create + PS and requires Android 12 or later for Bluetooth according to Sony’s compatibility guidance.
What the setup actually involves
ICO is a PlayStation 2 game, so Android does not send a Bluetooth controller directly to the game. The signal passes through two separate layers:
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- Android pairing: the phone or tablet recognizes the controller as an input device.
- Emulator assignment: AetherSX2 or NetherSX2 assigns that device to the emulated PlayStation 2 controller on Port 1 and translates its buttons into ICO commands.
Pairing can therefore appear successful while ICO still ignores every button. The emulator must have the correct device selected and its bindings saved. The same process works with a generic Bluetooth pad, a PS4 DUALSHOCK 4, or a PS5 DualSense, although the pairing gesture and Android requirements differ.
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- An Android phone or tablet with Bluetooth enabled, or a compatible USB controller and suitable cable or OTG adapter.
- A working ICO installation in a PlayStation 2 emulator such as AetherSX2 or NetherSX2.
- The controller charged or connected to power.
- Access to the emulator’s Controller Settings screen.
Close the emulator while pairing. Open it only after Android shows the controller as connected; this makes device selection and automatic detection more reliable.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Which controller should you use?
All three categories can control ICO, but they differ in Android requirements, pairing behavior and how much remapping you may need.
| Controller | Android requirement and pairing | One-device limitation | ICO/emulator considerations | Advanced features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generic Bluetooth gamepad | Use Android’s Bluetooth settings. Put the pad in its documented pairing mode, then choose it under Connected devices → Pair new device. | Depends on the controller’s own firmware; no universal limit is established. | May be recognized under a non-obvious name. Manual binding by pressing each physical control is the safest approach. | Only features exposed by that controller and Android are available. |
| PS4 DUALSHOCK 4 | Turn it off, hold Share + PS until the light bar flashes, then select it in Android Bluetooth devices. | Sony says it can be paired with only one device at a time. Repeat pairing when moving between a phone, tablet and console. | Its familiar two-stick layout suits ICO. Bind by physical button rather than trusting a letter shown by the emulator. | Configure ordinary buttons, sticks and any supported rumble; do not assume every console feature is available on Android. |
| PS5 DualSense | Turn it off, hold Create + PS for at least three seconds until the light bar and player indicator flash, then select it in Android Bluetooth devices. | No additional one-device limit is stated in Sony’s Android guidance, but the controller must be put into pairing mode again when changing hosts if it does not reconnect. | Use manual mapping if the emulator labels its face buttons differently from the printed symbols. | Sony lists Android 12 and later for Bluetooth connections. Adaptive triggers are not supported on Android mobile devices, so ICO uses standard button, stick and available rumble input. |
Pair a generic Bluetooth controller with Android
- Put the controller into pairing mode. The exact button combination varies by model; use the controller’s own instructions if a dedicated Bluetooth or sync button is not obvious.
- On Android, open Settings.
- Tap Connected devices, then Pair new device. On some Android skins the wording is slightly different, but the Bluetooth device-discovery screen is the same destination.
- Wait for the controller’s name to appear and tap it. Accept the pairing request if Android displays one.
- Remain in Bluetooth settings until Android reports the controller as connected. Then launch AetherSX2 or NetherSX2.
Google’s Android guidance supports both Bluetooth and wired game controllers. If your pad appears as an unknown Bluetooth accessory rather than a game controller, disconnect it, restart pairing mode and try again; the emulator may not expose usable button events for an incorrectly identified device.
Use a wired controller when Bluetooth is unreliable
Android also supports a compatible wired controller. Connect it through the phone or tablet’s USB-C port, or through a suitable USB-OTG adapter when the controller uses a full-size USB plug. Wait for Android to recognize the device before opening the emulator, then select it for Port 1 and bind the controls. A cable avoids radio interference and removes Bluetooth pairing from the troubleshooting path, but compatibility still depends on the controller, cable and adapter.
Pair a PS4 DUALSHOCK 4
- Turn the DUALSHOCK 4 completely off. If its light is on, hold the PS button until it shuts down.
- Press and hold Share and PS together.
- Keep holding until the light bar begins flashing. Flashing indicates pairing mode.
- On Android, open Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device.
- Select DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless Controller (or the equivalent name shown by your device) and wait for the connected status.
- Open the emulator only after the Bluetooth connection is complete.
Sony states that a DUALSHOCK 4 can be paired with only one device at a time. If you last used it with a console, phone or tablet, start the Share-plus-PS procedure again when moving to a different host. A remembered entry in Android’s Bluetooth list does not guarantee that the controller is actively connected.
Pair a PS5 DualSense
- Turn the DualSense off.
- Hold Create and PS simultaneously for at least three seconds.
- Release the buttons when the light bar and player indicator begin flashing.
- On the Android device, open Settings → Connected devices → Pair new device.
- Choose the DualSense from the discovered-device list and wait for Android to show it as connected.
- Launch AetherSX2 or NetherSX2 after the connection is established.
Sony’s guidance lists Android 12 and later as supported for DualSense Bluetooth connections. On Android mobile devices, adaptive triggers are not supported. ICO does not need them: its play relies on digital buttons, analog movement, camera control and shoulder buttons. Configure those standard inputs and treat any unavailable trigger effects as expected rather than as a pairing failure.
Rank #2
- 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’s virtual Port 1
Android pairing alone is not enough. In AetherSX2 or NetherSX2, the controller must be selected for the first emulated PlayStation 2 port.
- Open the emulator and enter Controller Settings.
- Choose the connected gamepad as the device for the emulated first controller, usually labeled Port 1 or Controller 1.
- Use automatic mapping if it identifies the pad correctly. If any input is missing or mislabeled, choose manual mapping.
- For each on-screen binding, press the physical button, stick direction or trigger you want to use. Do not select a letter based only on the emulator’s label; labels can reflect a different button convention.
- Save the completed mapping as an input profile. The emulator FAQ documents saving Bluetooth bindings as profiles so they can be recalled instead of recreated.
- Start ICO and test Port 1 before changing graphics or other emulator settings.
If more than one gamepad is connected, verify that the intended controller occupies Port 1. A second connected pad can take the active slot, leaving the controller in your hands apparently paired but unable to affect ICO.
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The following arrangement follows the functions identified in the ICO manual and keeps movement, camera control and Yorda interaction on the controls used most often.
| ICO function | Recommended physical control | What to test |
|---|---|---|
| Move, run, swim and move while hanging | Left analog stick | Walk in four directions, then push diagonally. Check that the stick returns to neutral without drifting. |
| View surroundings | Right analog stick | Pan left, right, up and down independently of movement. |
| Jump or pull up | Triangle (the triangle-marked button on both DualSense and DUALSHOCK 4) | Press near a ledge and during traversal to confirm the jump/pull-up action. |
| Lunge or strike | Square | Use it during a confrontation and verify that it is not sharing the jump binding. |
| Activate a switch, pick up, throw or swing a chain | Circle | Try an environmental object, not only a combat action. |
| Release grip | Cross/X | Use it while holding a ledge or object; releasing should occur without moving the stick. |
| Hold or call Yorda | R1 | Hold the button while near Yorda. The manual identifies R1 for holding her hand, calling her and pulling her up. |
| Zoom the camera | R2 | Press and release while viewing an area to confirm the emulator sees the trigger as an analog or digital input. |
| Pause | Start or the emulator’s Start-equivalent binding (often labeled Options on a DualSense) | Open and close the pause screen without interrupting another action. |
Map by pressing the actual control on your pad. The emulator may display “A/B/X/Y” even when the controller has PlayStation symbols, and the letter convention can place an apparently wrong action on a face button. Physical-button binding avoids that mismatch.
Run a complete input check before playing
A short test catches nearly every setup error before you reach a difficult section.
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- 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.
- Move the left stick in all directions and confirm ICO walks, runs or swims.
- Move the right stick while standing still and confirm the camera changes without moving the character.
- Press Triangle, Square, Circle and Cross/X once each, checking the corresponding action.
- Hold R1 near Yorda and verify that holding, calling or pulling-up behavior responds.
- Press R2 to check zoom, then press Start or the Options-equivalent control to pause.
- Return to Controller Settings and save the profile again if you changed any binding during testing.
When the controller is paired but ICO ignores it
Android shows an accessory, not a controller
Open Android’s connected-device page and confirm the pad is listed as a controller or gamepad. If it is shown only as an unknown Bluetooth device, disconnect it, re-enter pairing mode and pair again. A compatible wired connection through USB-C or an OTG adapter is the documented fallback when Bluetooth identification or stability remains poor.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe emulator has the wrong device on Port 1
In Controller Settings, inspect the device selected for the first emulated controller. Select the pad currently in use, not merely the last device remembered by Android. Temporarily disconnect other gamepads so there is no ambiguity, then assign the intended controller to Port 1.
Some buttons work, but the face-button actions are wrong
This is normally a mapping problem, not a Bluetooth problem. Delete or overwrite the affected bindings and set each one by pressing the physical button. Check Triangle, Square, Circle and Cross/X individually, because an emulator’s on-screen alphabetic labels may not match the symbols printed on a PlayStation controller.
The sticks do nothing or move the wrong function
Manually bind the left stick to movement and the right stick to camera viewing. Test all four directions and diagonals. If a stick is inverted, use the emulator’s axis-reversal option if available; if an axis is completely absent, repeat the binding while moving the stick through its full range rather than tapping it.
R1 or R2 is missing
ICO depends on both shoulder controls: R1 is used for holding or calling Yorda, while R2 zooms the camera. Re-enter manual mapping and press the shoulder control when the corresponding emulator field is active. On a DualSense, do not expect adaptive-trigger behavior; bind the ordinary R2 input.
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The mapping disappears after restarting
Return to Controller Settings and save the input profile after mapping. Then confirm that the emulator loads that profile for the same device and Port 1. If Android has assigned a new device entry after re-pairing, select that current entry and save the profile again.
Bluetooth drops during play
Reconnect the controller in Android before reopening the emulator. For a DUALSHOCK 4, repeat Share-plus-PS pairing because Sony limits it to one paired device at a time. If the wireless link remains unreliable, use a compatible wired controller through USB-C or an OTG adapter, then repeat the Port 1 assignment and profile save.
Choosing between PS4, PS5 and a generic pad
Choose a DUALSHOCK 4 when you want the simplest PlayStation-style layout
The DUALSHOCK 4 provides the two sticks, PlayStation face symbols and shoulder controls that match ICO’s manual. Its main inconvenience is the one-device pairing limit: moving it between Android and another host requires pairing again.
Choose a DualSense when your device runs Android 12 or later
A DualSense is suitable when you want the newer PlayStation controller layout and your Android version meets Sony’s Bluetooth guidance. Configure it for standard inputs; adaptive triggers are unavailable on Android mobile devices and are not needed for ICO.
Choose a generic Bluetooth pad when compatibility and portability matter most
A generic controller can work through Android’s standard Bluetooth pairing flow, but names, button labels and axis behavior vary. Plan on manual emulator mapping and keep a wired USB-C or OTG option available if the wireless device is not recognized consistently.
Quick setup checklist
- Android lists the controller as connected before the emulator starts.
- The correct device is assigned to emulated Port 1.
- Left stick controls movement; right stick controls the camera.
- Triangle jumps or pulls up; Square strikes; Circle performs object actions; Cross/X releases grip.
- R1 handles holding or calling Yorda, and R2 zooms.
- Start or the Options-equivalent control pauses.
- The emulator input profile is saved.
- A compatible wired controller and USB-C/OTG path are available if Bluetooth proves unstable.
Once those checks pass, ICO should receive the same essential controls as a physical PlayStation 2 pad, with Android handling the connection and the emulator handling the Port 1 translation.
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