Since the release of Xbox One, Microsoft has been working on ways to make gaming more inclusive. From physical peripherals such as the Xbox Adaptive Pad to changing basic menu functionality for ease of use, real strides have been made in this area.
But what if you don't need full, system-wide changes, or you don't have the Xbox Adaptive Controller? What if you just want to remap the buttons of a regular Series X pad?
While some games offer this functionality, Microsoft has taken a catch-all approach and will allow you to completely remap the buttons of your pad at any time.
This article is going to take you through the step-by-step process of remapping your Xbox Series X controller.
Why Would You Remap Your Xbox Series X Controller?
Remapping the pad is done on a system level. This means that no matter what game you’re playing, whether you’re watching something on Netflix, or simply browsing your dashboard, the personalized settings you create will always be the default. You can set your controller to work for you in all situations.
If you prefer to invert your vertical axes for first-person shooter (FPS) titles, you can do it. Maybe you just want to swap the A and B buttons because you’re used to specific layouts.
It’s also a fantastic solution for gamers who have motor issues or difficulty reaching certain buttons. If you struggle to hold LB or RB for any reason, remapping this to one of the face buttons may make certain titles a little more accessible. There are many ways developers are making games more accessible for all gamers.
The ability to save several profiles means that multiple people in the same home can have their own setup, and you can also save based on the different games you play or apps you use.
Finding the Xbox Series X Ease of Access Menu
To navigate to the controller remapping menu, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Open the Xbox Guide by pressing the Home button on your controller.
- Head to the Profile and System menu (the one with your Xbox Avatar).
- Select Settings.
- Select Ease of Access > Controller > Button Remapping.
How to Remap Your Xbox Series X Controller
On this screen, you’ll see lots of different options, including the ability to swap the sticks, swap the triggers, or switching vibration on and off. The two drop-down menus to the top of the screen allow you to remap every button except for the triggers, as well as the Menu and Options buttons.
As you remap buttons, you’ll see an on-screen indicator letting you know what each button represents. In the pictured example, we’ve changed the d-pad to act as the face buttons (A/B/X/Y) and vice versa. We’ve also swapped the LB/RB to act as a Left/Right stick click.
Your controller is now ready to use with your choice of game or app.
How to Switch Xbox Series X Controller Profiles
If you have multiple profiles saved, you may want to switch between them for various reasons. This could be anything from having different settings for different game types to needing to change profiles based on the app you're using.
To switch your controller profile, follow these steps:
- Open the Xbox Guide by pressing the Home button on your controller.
- Head to the Profile and System menu (the one with your Xbox Avatar).
- Select Settings.
- Select Devices & connections > Accessories > Configure.
In here, select the controller profile you wish to use, then assign it to Slot 1. This will enable your choice of setting. Be careful not to save over existing profiles if you or other people need them.
Your New Xbox Series X Controller Settings Are Ready
The Xbox Series X has lots of accessibility options built-in at a system level, and it’s great to see Microsoft putting the effort in to ensure everyone can enjoy its console.
While some people may use controller remapping to simply invert the vertical axis in FPS games, others will find this gives them a way to enjoy games that were unplayable in the past.
