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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11On the ROG Ally, Gamepad Mode sends the built-in controls as gamepad inputs, Desktop Mode maps them to Windows-style mouse and keyboard actions, and Auto chooses a mode and profile for the focused program. These are control schemes in Armoury Crate SE—not power or performance modes.
What Gamepad Mode does
Choose Gamepad Mode for a game or app that accepts controller input. The Ally’s buttons and sticks act as a gamepad; in typical menus, the left stick navigates, A selects, and B goes back. ASUS describes this as one of three ways to control the Ally, alongside mouse-and-keyboard emulation and touchscreen input in its ROG Ally and Ally X control-remapping guide.
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ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Gaming Handheld 7" 120Hz, AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16GB / 512GB | $734.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Gaming Handheld 7" 120Hz, AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16GB / 1TB | $949.99 | Buy on Amazon |
How the three control modes differ
| Mode | Best for | What the controls do | Profile behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamepad Mode | Games and apps that support controllers | Buttons and sticks send gamepad inputs. | A manually selected mode remains active rather than automatically choosing a game profile. |
| Desktop Mode | Windows navigation and apps without controller support | The default mapping uses the right stick for the cursor, RB for left-click, RT for right-click, A for Enter, and B for Esc. | A manually selected mode remains active rather than automatically choosing a game profile. |
| Auto | Switching between supported games and their settings without manually changing modes | Armoury Crate SE checks the focused game and selects its Control Mode and custom profile. | A library game without its own profile defaults to Gamepad Mode. |
ASUS documents the mode and profile behavior in its control-remapping guide and its Armoury Crate SE FAQ.
Switch modes from Command Center
- Press the Command Center hardware button to open its quick settings.
- Select the Control Mode tile.
- Choose Gamepad Mode, Desktop Mode, or Auto.
The tile arrangement can differ if you have customized Command Center. Manually choosing Gamepad or Desktop keeps that mode active; choose Auto again when you want automatic selection and per-game profiles. The steps are described in ASUS’s ROG guide and FAQ.
#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Change mappings and configure game profiles
Adjust global controls
For global settings, open Armoury Crate SE > Settings > Control Mode > Configure, then choose Gamepad Mode or Desktop Mode. ASUS lists configurable options including button mappings, stick dead zones and thresholds, trigger thresholds, vibration, gyro, and external-controller behavior. Mappable buttons can be assigned gamepad, action, keyboard, numpad, mouse, or key-combination functions. See ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE support FAQ.
Use per-game profiles
A game profile can store its own mappings and is applied when its associated game or app opens. Auto is the mode that selects the focused game’s profile. If you have manually forced Gamepad or Desktop and the expected profile is not taking effect, switch back to Auto. ASUS explains these settings in its ROG control-remapping guide and support FAQ.
Troubleshoot mode switching and mouse controls
Auto does not switch for Xbox Cloud Gaming
ASUS documents that Auto Control Mode does not support Xbox Cloud Gaming. Open Command Center and choose Gamepad Mode or Desktop Mode manually, depending on how you want to control it. Refer to the ASUS Armoury Crate SE FAQ for the current compatibility note.
Rank #2
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Desktop controls do not move the pointer
Desktop Mode’s gamepad-as-mouse feature depends on Armoury Crate SE. If it is missing, ASUS says to use the touchscreen to download and reinstall Armoury Crate SE from the ASUS product support site.
A game profile is not applied in Auto
ASUS notes that a mismatch between the game’s actual startup path and the path Armoury Crate reads can keep a profile from applying. In Armoury Crate, open Game Options > Game Info, select the alternate path, and restart the game. See the ASUS support FAQ.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which mode should you choose?
- Choose Gamepad Mode when you want controller input and Auto is unavailable or not selecting the right mode.
- Choose Desktop Mode to use the Ally’s controls for pointer movement and Windows-style actions.
- Choose Auto for supported games when you want Armoury Crate SE to select a mode and apply a game profile.
These settings require no additional hardware. ASUS’s cited ROG guide was published July 4, 2024; its Armoury Crate SE support page was last updated December 23, 2025 and lists ROG Ally-family products, including the 2023 ROG Ally and 2024 ROG Ally X. Interface details and compatibility can change, so consult ASUS support for current information.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
