XBOX ROG Ally X - Auto Control setting on Command Center doesn't work for Desktop Mode

[kingsdna]

Hi there - love my XBOX ROG ALLY X and have been a previous owner of the ROG ALLY X for about a year. One of the best features I loved about the original ROG ALLY X was that it was nearly seemless to transition from a game back to desktop/desktop apps with the "Auto" Control setting in Command Center. As soon as I exit a game or transition back to the windows desktop, the right analogue stick would emulate the mouse movement and RB/RT the left and right click. This way I don't need to rely on touch screen or dirty it. Also, it seems the per game profiles for controls, graphics and TDP settings were tied to the "Auto" toggle being on in Command Center. 

The XBOX ROG ALLY X Auto control setting unfortunately doesn't work properly. If you have it set to Auto and exit the XBOX FSE or leave a game or just in general have it set to Auto when in the Windows desktop - it does not register. I suspect this is actually the cause of a lot of people complaining losing "controls" sometimes too when transitioning from a desktop app in FSE back to Xbox App in FSE. What is strange is that if you open a web browser, it works. However, when going to the windows desktop from FSE, or just the desktop in general from any game - it doesn't trigger. A byproduct of this is not being able to leave it in Auto reliably and therefore the per game settings of  graphics, TDP can't be used. Just as an FYI - Auto does work for Gamepad mode (if toggled, it works as gamepad in FSE or games/apps). It just doesn't for Desktop mode (except for a web browser of edge for now). 

The current work around is to having to manually switch via command center between gamepad mode and desktop mode - however this is just so many extra button clicks or touch screen gestures which used to be seamless on the ROG ALLY X vs the XBOX ALLY X.

Can we get someone to comment on this at least to acknowledge it is something that is being reviewed?  

[Falcon2_ROG]

@kingsdna 
Could you please assist by providing the following information so we can report this issue to the technical team for further verification:

• Current BIOS version of your XBOX ROG Ally X
• Armoury Crate SE version
• Windows system version (e.g., 23H2 or 24H2)

If convenient, could you please also provide operation videos (both normal and those showing the suspected issue) for comparison and confirmation?

Sorry for any inconvenience it may be caused. 

[kingsdna]

• Windows 25H2
• Bios Version 310 Date: 2025/9/30
• Armory Crate SE Version 2.1.1.0

 

[kingsdna]

Video demonstrations of "Auto" control mode not working on XBOX ROG ALLY X for Desktop Mode controls. Works in browser, not on Windows Desktop. Auto works for Gamepad mode in FSE and games.

https://imgur.com/a/bE1eRdB

[Falcon2_ROG]

@kingsdna 
I have forwarded the information to the relevant department. 
We will keep you updated and your consideration will be very much appreciated.

[HOLAFLIGHT]

Same here, and I asked some of the same XBOX Ally X users, and they also have the same issue. It's strange that my OG Ally doesn't have any problems.

[JFBalarezo]

Same here, have to manually change between desktop and game mode, I have to do this while on steam or the other apps.. Any fix? 

[Falcon2_ROG]

@kingsdna 

After confirmation with the technical team, starting from RC73XA/YA models, the system default is set to Gamepad mode according to Xbox requirements.

Therefore, the 'Auto' option in Armory Crate SE > Control Mode will only switch to Desktop mode for certain Xbox-designated apps, such as Browser, EA app, etc.

As shown in the video, being able to operate the mouse cursor only when switching to Desktop mode is the expected behavior.

Thank you for your support and appreciation of ASUS products.

[kingsdna]

Hi there - I understand their POV, but I found a "workaround" and could help you solve this problem too. If you treat the "explorer.exe" or "File Explorer" as an app as well, and then use Armory Crate to set the default controls setting to "desktop mode" - this will trigger it to use desktop mode when coming from a gamepad mode/auto function. 

So to use your own logic - if you make the "file explorer app" as designated to mouse cursor option, this would solve the problem so you can have "Auto" set and whenever you go from XBOX FSE to the Windows Desktop, it will switch to Desktop mode controls (and also when in the file explorer windows) just like it does currently for Browser. It should come out of the box with this setup in the next patch instead of my solution of adding file explorer to armory crate as an "app" and switching default control mode to desktop mode and relying on the customer to find a solution and "tinker" to do this. Therefore, when people switch between XBOX FSE and games the Auto function will treat it as "Gamepad mode" and the File Explorer, browser, PC platform apps like EA, Steam, etc will default to "Desktop Mode".

This way people won't be confused when and have to tinker and figure it out themselves for a better consumer experience. Also if possible to ask Valve, to have Steam default to Big Picture mode (or at the very least the XBOX Button not "on" as default for Steam functions since pressing it using Steam out of the box has it tied to both Xbox Gamebar and Steam function at the same time). These small UI tweaks as I have suggested, if setup out of the box would make for a much smoother consumer experience using the machine for new customers. 

[Falcon2_ROG]

@kingsdna 
I will forward your feedback and suggestions to the relevant department for review and reference. 
Thank you for your support and appreciation of ASUS products.