The X-Arcade acts like a keyboard on both MAME4Droid and MAME4All (except on Ouya), simply connect using the USB port. You can also make the X-Arcade work as an Xbox 360 gamepad instead. If your android device doesn't have a USB port, you can make it work wirelessly.
MAME4Droid runs the most MAME games on an Android device. To use the X-Arcade on it simply tap on the screen outside of the center window to bring up Settings. Under Settings>Input you will want to set External Controller to 'Keyboard or IME', and then define the controls under Settings>Input>Define Keys to the layout shown below.
MAME4All only plays a limited number of older MAME games compared to MAME4Droid. To use the X-Arcade on it simply click on 'OPTION' on the screen, choose Settings, then define keys. You will want to set the controls up as shown below.
| Function: | Player 1 | Player 2 |
| Stick Up | Numpad 8 | R |
| StickDown | Numpad 2 | F |
| Stick Left | Numpad 4 | D |
| Stick Right | Numpad 5 | G |
| Stick B | Ctrl Left | A |
| Stick X | Alt Left | S |
| Stick A | Space | Q |
| Stick Y | Left Shift | W |
| Stick L1 | Z | E |
| Stick R1 | X | [ |
| Coin or Stick Select | 3 | 4 |
| Stick Start | 1 | 2 |
| Exit | ||
| Option |