Gamepad Cursor spotted in Xbox app Insider build for Windows
Microsoft is reportedly testing a new Gamepad Cursor feature in the Xbox app on Windows. The option was spotted in the Xbox Insider Program. Based on the surfaced description, it turns the left analog stick into a mouse-style pointer for navigating apps and menus that do not work well with standard controller focus controls.
In August 2025, Xbox added smarter controller navigation to the Xbox PC app and introduced My Apps for Insider users. Microsoft said that feature was built to help players on ROG Xbox Ally and other Windows 11 handhelds move between applications more easily from the Xbox full-screen experience.
Source: ROG Ally Life
Microsoft later expanded that full-screen experience across Windows 11 handhelds, describing it as a console-like interface designed for controller use. That makes a cursor layer a logical next step, especially when users run into app pages or menus that still expect mouse input.
Gamepad Cursor is enabled through Game Bar settings, and users can also jump to it through a “ Try out Gamepad Cursor ” card in the What’s New section. The feature is currently limited to Xbox Insider builds.
Source: ROG Ally Life
For Windows handheld users, this looks like a small but useful UI change. Instead of reaching for the touchscreen or switching to a separate desktop control mode, Xbox app users may be able to handle more of the interface directly from the controller inside Microsoft’s own PC gaming shell.
Source: Xbox Ally Life
