diff --git a/src/common/config.cpp b/src/common/config.cpp
index 9c316949a..dd4f72221 100644
--- a/src/common/config.cpp
+++ b/src/common/config.cpp
@@ -73,6 +73,7 @@ static bool compatibilityData = false;
 static bool checkCompatibilityOnStartup = false;
 static std::string trophyKey;
 static bool isPSNSignedIn = false;
+static std::string defaultControllerID = "";
 
 // Gui
 static bool load_game_size = true;
@@ -528,6 +529,14 @@ void setPSNSignedIn(bool sign) {
     isPSNSignedIn = sign;
 }
 
+std::string getDefaultControllerID() {
+    return defaultControllerID;
+}
+
+void setDefaultControllerID(std::string id) {
+    defaultControllerID = id;
+}
+
 void load(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
     // If the configuration file does not exist, create it and return
     std::error_code error;
@@ -566,6 +575,7 @@ void load(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
         checkCompatibilityOnStartup =
             toml::find_or<bool>(general, "checkCompatibilityOnStartup", false);
         chooseHomeTab = toml::find_or<std::string>(general, "chooseHomeTab", "Release");
+        defaultControllerID = toml::find_or<std::string>(general, "defaultControllerID", "");
     }
 
     if (data.contains("Input")) {
@@ -725,6 +735,7 @@ void save(const std::filesystem::path& path) {
     data["General"]["sideTrophy"] = isSideTrophy;
     data["General"]["compatibilityEnabled"] = compatibilityData;
     data["General"]["checkCompatibilityOnStartup"] = checkCompatibilityOnStartup;
+    data["General"]["defaultControllerID"] = defaultControllerID;
     data["Input"]["cursorState"] = cursorState;
     data["Input"]["cursorHideTimeout"] = cursorHideTimeout;
     data["Input"]["useSpecialPad"] = useSpecialPad;
diff --git a/src/common/config.h b/src/common/config.h
index 38114983f..624a3a51f 100644
--- a/src/common/config.h
+++ b/src/common/config.h
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ bool isDevKitConsole();        // no set
 bool vkValidationGpuEnabled(); // no set
 bool getIsMotionControlsEnabled();
 void setIsMotionControlsEnabled(bool use);
+std::string getDefaultControllerID();
+void setDefaultControllerID(std::string id);
 
 // TODO
 bool GetLoadGameSizeEnabled();
diff --git a/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_impl_sdl3.cpp b/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_impl_sdl3.cpp
index ccd31d03a..bd0c1a5db 100644
--- a/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_impl_sdl3.cpp
+++ b/src/imgui/renderer/imgui_impl_sdl3.cpp
@@ -730,6 +730,7 @@ static void UpdateGamepads() {
     ImGuiIO& io = ImGui::GetIO();
     SdlData* bd = GetBackendData();
 
+    /*
     // Update list of gamepads to use
     if (bd->want_update_gamepads_list && bd->gamepad_mode != ImGui_ImplSDL3_GamepadMode_Manual) {
         CloseGamepads();
@@ -741,8 +742,9 @@ static void UpdateGamepads() {
                 if (bd->gamepad_mode == ImGui_ImplSDL3_GamepadMode_AutoFirst)
                     break;
             }
-        bd->want_update_gamepads_list = false;
+            bd->want_update_gamepads_list = false;
     }
+    */
 
     // FIXME: Technically feeding gamepad shouldn't depend on this now that they are regular inputs.
     if ((io.ConfigFlags & ImGuiConfigFlags_NavEnableGamepad) == 0)
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.cpp b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.cpp
index 319daecdd..15f4d4b95 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.cpp
+++ b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.cpp
@@ -9,8 +9,12 @@
 #include "common/path_util.h"
 #include "control_settings.h"
 #include "input/input_handler.h"
+#include "sdl_window.h"
 #include "ui_control_settings.h"
 
+std::string ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad = "";
+std::string ControllerSelect::DefaultGamepad = "";
+
 ControlSettings::ControlSettings(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, bool isGameRunning,
                                  std::string GameRunningSerial, QWidget* parent)
     : QDialog(parent), m_game_info(game_info_get), GameRunning(isGameRunning),
@@ -21,7 +25,6 @@ ControlSettings::ControlSettings(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, b
     if (!GameRunning) {
         SDL_InitSubSystem(SDL_INIT_GAMEPAD);
         SDL_InitSubSystem(SDL_INIT_EVENTS);
-        CheckGamePad();
     } else {
         SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_JOYSTICK_ALLOW_BACKGROUND_EVENTS, "1");
     }
@@ -29,6 +32,8 @@ ControlSettings::ControlSettings(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, b
     AddBoxItems();
     SetUIValuestoMappings();
     UpdateLightbarColor();
+    CheckGamePad();
+    ResetActiveControllerBox();
     installEventFilter(this);
 
     ButtonsList = {ui->CrossButton,
@@ -119,6 +124,18 @@ ControlSettings::ControlSettings(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, b
     connect(this, &ControlSettings::AxisChanged, this,
             [this]() { ConnectAxisInputs(MappingButton); });
 
+    connect(ui->ActiveGamepadBox, &QComboBox::currentIndexChanged, this,
+            &ControlSettings::ActiveControllerChanged);
+    connect(ui->DefaultGamepadButton, &QPushButton::clicked, this, [this]() {
+        char pszGUID[33];
+        SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[ui->ActiveGamepadBox->currentIndex()]),
+                         pszGUID, 33);
+        Config::setDefaultControllerID(std::string(pszGUID));
+        Config::save(Common::FS::GetUserPath(Common::FS::PathType::UserDir) / "config.toml");
+        QMessageBox::information(this, tr("Default Controller Selected"),
+                                 tr("Active controller set as default"));
+    });
+
     RemapWrapper = SdlEventWrapper::Wrapper::GetInstance();
     SdlEventWrapper::Wrapper::wrapperActive = true;
     QObject::connect(RemapWrapper, &SdlEventWrapper::Wrapper::SDLEvent, this,
@@ -129,6 +146,99 @@ ControlSettings::ControlSettings(std::shared_ptr<GameInfoClass> game_info_get, b
     }
 }
 
+void ControlSettings::ActiveControllerChanged(int value) {
+    char pszGUID[33];
+    SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[value]), pszGUID, 33);
+    QString GUID = QString::fromStdString(std::string(pszGUID)).right(16);
+    ui->ActiveGamepadLabel->setText("ID: " + GUID);
+    ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad = std::string(pszGUID);
+
+    if (!GameRunning) {
+        if (gamepad) {
+            SDL_CloseGamepad(gamepad);
+            gamepad = nullptr;
+        }
+
+        gamepads = SDL_GetGamepads(&gamepad_count);
+        if (!gamepads) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Input, "Cannot get gamepad list: {}", SDL_GetError());
+            return;
+        }
+
+        for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+            char pszGUID[33];
+            SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+            std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+            if (currentGUID == ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad) {
+                gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[i]);
+                LOG_WARNING(Input, "Opened gamepad: {}", i);
+                if (!gamepad) {
+                    LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+                }
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+
+        if (!gamepad) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+            return;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+void ControlSettings::ResetActiveControllerBox() {
+    SDL_free(gamepads);
+    gamepads = SDL_GetGamepads(&gamepad_count);
+    if (!gamepads) {
+        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Cannot get gamepad list: {}", SDL_GetError());
+        return;
+    }
+
+    if (gamepad_count == 0) {
+        ui->ActiveGamepadBox->addItem("No gamepads detected");
+        ui->ActiveGamepadBox->setCurrentIndex(0);
+        LOG_INFO(Input, "No gamepad found!");
+        return;
+    } else {
+        for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+            QString name = SDL_GetGamepadNameForID(gamepads[i]);
+            ui->ActiveGamepadBox->addItem(QString("%1: %2").arg(QString::number(i + 1), name));
+        }
+    }
+
+    char pszGUID[33];
+    if (ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad != "") {
+        for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+            SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+            std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+            if (currentGUID == ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad) {
+                SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+                QString GUID = QString::fromStdString(std::string(pszGUID)).right(16);
+                ui->ActiveGamepadLabel->setText("ID: " + GUID);
+                ui->ActiveGamepadBox->setCurrentIndex(i);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    } else if (Config::getDefaultControllerID() != "") {
+        for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+            SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+            std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+            if (currentGUID == Config::getDefaultControllerID()) {
+                SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+                QString GUID = QString::fromStdString(std::string(pszGUID)).right(16);
+                ui->ActiveGamepadLabel->setText("ID: " + GUID);
+                ui->ActiveGamepadBox->setCurrentIndex(i);
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+    } else {
+        SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[0]), pszGUID, 33);
+        QString GUID = QString::fromStdString(std::string(pszGUID)).right(16);
+        ui->ActiveGamepadLabel->setText("ID: " + GUID);
+        ui->ActiveGamepadBox->setCurrentIndex(0);
+    }
+}
+
 void ControlSettings::SaveControllerConfig(bool CloseOnSave) {
     QList<QPushButton*> list;
     list << ui->RStickUpButton << ui->RStickRightButton << ui->LStickUpButton
@@ -640,38 +750,42 @@ void ControlSettings::UpdateLightbarColor() {
 }
 
 void ControlSettings::CheckGamePad() {
-    if (GameRunning)
-        return;
-
-    if (gamepad) {
+    if ((gamepad)) {
         SDL_CloseGamepad(gamepad);
         gamepad = nullptr;
     }
 
-    int gamepad_count;
-    SDL_JoystickID* gamepads = SDL_GetGamepads(&gamepad_count);
-
+    gamepads = SDL_GetGamepads(&gamepad_count);
     if (!gamepads) {
         LOG_ERROR(Input, "Cannot get gamepad list: {}", SDL_GetError());
         return;
     }
 
-    if (gamepad_count == 0) {
-        LOG_INFO(Input, "No gamepad found!");
-        SDL_free(gamepads);
-        return;
+    if (!GameRunning) {
+        if (ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad != "") {
+            for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+                char pszGUID[33];
+                SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+                std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+                if (currentGUID == ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad) {
+                    gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[i]);
+                    LOG_WARNING(Input, "Opened gamepad: {}", i);
+                    if (!gamepad) {
+                        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            LOG_INFO(Input, "Got {} gamepads. Opening the first one.", gamepad_count);
+            gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[0]);
+        }
+
+        if (!gamepad) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad 0: {}", SDL_GetError());
+            return;
+        }
     }
-
-    LOG_INFO(Input, "Got {} gamepads. Opening the first one.", gamepad_count);
-    gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[0]);
-
-    if (!gamepad) {
-        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad 0: {}", SDL_GetError());
-        SDL_free(gamepads);
-        return;
-    }
-
-    SDL_free(gamepads);
 }
 
 void ControlSettings::DisableMappingButtons() {
@@ -914,6 +1028,8 @@ void ControlSettings::pollSDLEvents() {
         }
 
         if (event.type == SDL_EVENT_GAMEPAD_ADDED) {
+            ui->ActiveGamepadBox->clear();
+            ResetActiveControllerBox();
             CheckGamePad();
         }
 
@@ -923,8 +1039,12 @@ void ControlSettings::pollSDLEvents() {
 
 void ControlSettings::Cleanup() {
     SdlEventWrapper::Wrapper::wrapperActive = false;
-    if (gamepad)
+    if (gamepad) {
         SDL_CloseGamepad(gamepad);
+        gamepad = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    SDL_free(gamepads);
 
     if (!GameRunning) {
         SDL_Event quitLoop{};
@@ -937,6 +1057,9 @@ void ControlSettings::Cleanup() {
         SDL_Quit();
     } else {
         SDL_SetHint(SDL_HINT_JOYSTICK_ALLOW_BACKGROUND_EVENTS, "0");
+        SDL_Event checkGamepad{};
+        checkGamepad.type = SDL_EVENT_CHANGE_CONTROLLER;
+        SDL_PushEvent(&checkGamepad);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.h b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.h
index 76d16b84e..91c5442f0 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.h
+++ b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.h
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 // SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2024 shadPS4 Emulator Project
 // SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
-
+#pragma once
 #include <QDialog>
 #include <SDL3/SDL.h>
 #include <SDL3/SDL_gamepad.h>
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
     void CheckMapping(QPushButton*& button);
     void StartTimer(QPushButton*& button, bool isButton);
     void ConnectAxisInputs(QPushButton*& button);
+    void ActiveControllerChanged(int value);
 
 private:
     std::unique_ptr<Ui::ControlSettings> ui;
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ private:
     void DisableMappingButtons();
     void EnableMappingButtons();
     void Cleanup();
+    void ResetActiveControllerBox();
 
     QList<QPushButton*> ButtonsList;
     QList<QPushButton*> AxisList;
@@ -59,9 +61,11 @@ private:
     bool MappingCompleted = false;
     QString mapping;
     int MappingTimer;
+    int gamepad_count;
     QTimer* timer;
     QPushButton* MappingButton;
     SDL_Gamepad* gamepad = nullptr;
+    SDL_JoystickID* gamepads;
     SdlEventWrapper::Wrapper* RemapWrapper;
     QFuture<void> Polling;
 
@@ -81,3 +85,8 @@ protected:
         Cleanup();
     }
 };
+
+namespace ControllerSelect {
+extern std::string ActiveGamepad;
+extern std::string DefaultGamepad;
+} // namespace ControllerSelect
diff --git a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.ui b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.ui
index 2eb4c754c..c8cdc655c 100644
--- a/src/qt_gui/control_settings.ui
+++ b/src/qt_gui/control_settings.ui
@@ -1,6 +1,4 @@
 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
-<!-- SPDX-FileCopyrightText: Copyright 2024 shadPS4 Emulator Project
-     SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later -->
 <ui version="4.0">
  <class>ControlSettings</class>
  <widget class="QDialog" name="ControlSettings">
@@ -11,8 +9,8 @@
    <rect>
     <x>0</x>
     <y>0</y>
-    <width>1114</width>
-    <height>794</height>
+    <width>1124</width>
+    <height>847</height>
    </rect>
   </property>
   <property name="windowTitle">
@@ -33,8 +31,8 @@
        <rect>
         <x>0</x>
         <y>0</y>
-        <width>1094</width>
-        <height>744</height>
+        <width>1104</width>
+        <height>797</height>
        </rect>
       </property>
       <widget class="QWidget" name="layoutWidget">
@@ -42,8 +40,8 @@
         <rect>
          <x>0</x>
          <y>0</y>
-         <width>1091</width>
-         <height>741</height>
+         <width>1101</width>
+         <height>791</height>
         </rect>
        </property>
        <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="RemapLayout">
@@ -246,14 +244,82 @@
             </layout>
            </widget>
           </item>
+          <item>
+           <widget class="QGroupBox" name="groupBox_5">
+            <property name="title">
+             <string>L1 and L2</string>
+            </property>
+            <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_13">
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_l2">
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>L2</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_l2_layout">
+                <property name="leftMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="topMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="rightMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QPushButton" name="L2Button">
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>unmapped</string>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+               </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_l1">
+               <property name="sizePolicy">
+                <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
+                 <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+                 <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+                </sizepolicy>
+               </property>
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>L1</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_l1_layout">
+                <property name="leftMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="topMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="rightMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QPushButton" name="L1Button">
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>unmapped</string>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+               </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+            </layout>
+           </widget>
+          </item>
           <item>
            <spacer name="verticalSpacer">
             <property name="orientation">
              <enum>Qt::Orientation::Vertical</enum>
             </property>
-            <property name="sizeType">
-             <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Maximum</enum>
-            </property>
             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
              <size>
               <width>20</width>
@@ -512,7 +578,7 @@
          </layout>
         </item>
         <item>
-         <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_middle" stretch="0,0,0,0,0">
+         <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_middle" stretch="0,0,0,0">
           <property name="spacing">
            <number>0</number>
           </property>
@@ -598,199 +664,100 @@
                </property>
               </widget>
              </item>
-            </layout>
-           </widget>
-          </item>
-          <item>
-           <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="layout_middle_top">
-            <property name="spacing">
-             <number>0</number>
-            </property>
-            <item>
-             <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="layout_system_buttons">
-              <item>
-               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="verticalLayout_4">
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="groupBox_2">
+               <property name="font">
+                <font>
+                 <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                 <bold>true</bold>
+                </font>
+               </property>
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>Active Gamepad</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_7">
                 <item>
-                 <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_13">
-                  <item>
-                   <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_l1">
-                    <property name="sizePolicy">
-                     <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
-                      <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-                      <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-                     </sizepolicy>
-                    </property>
-                    <property name="title">
-                     <string>L1</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_l1_layout">
-                     <property name="leftMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="topMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="rightMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="bottomMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <item>
-                      <widget class="QPushButton" name="L1Button">
-                       <property name="text">
-                        <string>unmapped</string>
-                       </property>
-                      </widget>
-                     </item>
-                    </layout>
-                   </widget>
-                  </item>
-                  <item>
-                   <spacer name="horizontalSpacer_2">
-                    <property name="orientation">
-                     <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
-                    </property>
-                    <property name="sizeType">
-                     <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Fixed</enum>
-                    </property>
-                    <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-                     <size>
-                      <width>133</width>
-                      <height>20</height>
-                     </size>
-                    </property>
-                   </spacer>
-                  </item>
-                  <item>
-                   <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_r1">
-                    <property name="sizePolicy">
-                     <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
-                      <horstretch>0</horstretch>
-                      <verstretch>0</verstretch>
-                     </sizepolicy>
-                    </property>
-                    <property name="title">
-                     <string>R1</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_r1_layout">
-                     <property name="leftMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="topMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="rightMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="bottomMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <item>
-                      <widget class="QPushButton" name="R1Button">
-                       <property name="text">
-                        <string>unmapped</string>
-                       </property>
-                      </widget>
-                     </item>
-                    </layout>
-                   </widget>
-                  </item>
-                 </layout>
+                 <widget class="QComboBox" name="ActiveGamepadBox">
+                  <property name="font">
+                   <font>
+                    <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                    <bold>false</bold>
+                   </font>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
                 </item>
                 <item>
-                 <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_14">
-                  <item>
-                   <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_l2">
-                    <property name="title">
-                     <string>L2</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_l2_layout">
-                     <property name="leftMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="topMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="rightMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="bottomMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <item>
-                      <widget class="QPushButton" name="L2Button">
-                       <property name="text">
-                        <string>unmapped</string>
-                       </property>
-                      </widget>
-                     </item>
-                    </layout>
-                   </widget>
-                  </item>
-                  <item>
-                   <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_start">
-                    <property name="title">
-                     <string>Options</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_start_layout">
-                     <property name="leftMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="topMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="rightMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="bottomMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <item>
-                      <widget class="QPushButton" name="OptionsButton">
-                       <property name="text">
-                        <string>unmapped</string>
-                       </property>
-                      </widget>
-                     </item>
-                    </layout>
-                   </widget>
-                  </item>
-                  <item>
-                   <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_r2">
-                    <property name="title">
-                     <string>R2</string>
-                    </property>
-                    <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_r2_layout">
-                     <property name="leftMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="topMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="rightMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <property name="bottomMargin">
-                      <number>5</number>
-                     </property>
-                     <item>
-                      <widget class="QPushButton" name="R2Button">
-                       <property name="text">
-                        <string>unmapped</string>
-                       </property>
-                      </widget>
-                     </item>
-                    </layout>
-                   </widget>
-                  </item>
-                 </layout>
+                 <widget class="QLabel" name="ActiveGamepadLabel">
+                  <property name="font">
+                   <font>
+                    <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                    <bold>false</bold>
+                   </font>
+                  </property>
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>Gamepad ID</string>
+                  </property>
+                  <property name="alignment">
+                   <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignRight|Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignTrailing|Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignVCenter</set>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
                 </item>
                </layout>
-              </item>
-             </layout>
-            </item>
-           </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="groupBox_4">
+               <property name="font">
+                <font>
+                 <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                 <bold>true</bold>
+                </font>
+               </property>
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>Default Gamepad</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_12">
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QLabel" name="DefaultGamepadName">
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>No default selected</string>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QLabel" name="DefaultGamepadLabel">
+                  <property name="font">
+                   <font>
+                    <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                    <bold>false</bold>
+                   </font>
+                  </property>
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>Gamepad ID</string>
+                  </property>
+                  <property name="alignment">
+                   <set>Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignRight|Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignTrailing|Qt::AlignmentFlag::AlignVCenter</set>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+               </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QPushButton" name="DefaultGamepadButton">
+               <property name="font">
+                <font>
+                 <pointsize>9</pointsize>
+                 <bold>true</bold>
+                </font>
+               </property>
+               <property name="text">
+                <string>Set Active Gamepad as Default</string>
+               </property>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+            </layout>
+           </widget>
           </item>
           <item>
            <widget class="QWidget" name="widget_controller" native="true">
@@ -880,20 +847,32 @@
                </widget>
               </item>
               <item>
-               <spacer name="horizontalSpacer">
-                <property name="orientation">
-                 <enum>Qt::Orientation::Horizontal</enum>
+               <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_start">
+                <property name="title">
+                 <string>Options</string>
                 </property>
-                <property name="sizeType">
-                 <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Fixed</enum>
-                </property>
-                <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
-                 <size>
-                  <width>133</width>
-                  <height>20</height>
-                 </size>
-                </property>
-               </spacer>
+                <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_start_layout">
+                 <property name="leftMargin">
+                  <number>5</number>
+                 </property>
+                 <property name="topMargin">
+                  <number>5</number>
+                 </property>
+                 <property name="rightMargin">
+                  <number>5</number>
+                 </property>
+                 <property name="bottomMargin">
+                  <number>5</number>
+                 </property>
+                 <item>
+                  <widget class="QPushButton" name="OptionsButton">
+                   <property name="text">
+                    <string>unmapped</string>
+                   </property>
+                  </widget>
+                 </item>
+                </layout>
+               </widget>
               </item>
               <item>
                <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_r3">
@@ -1338,13 +1317,84 @@
             </layout>
            </widget>
           </item>
+          <item>
+           <widget class="QGroupBox" name="groupBox_6">
+            <property name="title">
+             <string>R1 and R2</string>
+            </property>
+            <layout class="QHBoxLayout" name="horizontalLayout_14">
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_r2">
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>R2</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_r2_layout">
+                <property name="leftMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="topMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="rightMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QPushButton" name="R2Button">
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>unmapped</string>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+               </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+             <item>
+              <widget class="QGroupBox" name="gb_r1">
+               <property name="sizePolicy">
+                <sizepolicy hsizetype="Preferred" vsizetype="Preferred">
+                 <horstretch>0</horstretch>
+                 <verstretch>0</verstretch>
+                </sizepolicy>
+               </property>
+               <property name="title">
+                <string>R1</string>
+               </property>
+               <layout class="QVBoxLayout" name="gb_r1_layout">
+                <property name="leftMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="topMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="rightMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <property name="bottomMargin">
+                 <number>5</number>
+                </property>
+                <item>
+                 <widget class="QPushButton" name="R1Button">
+                  <property name="text">
+                   <string>unmapped</string>
+                  </property>
+                 </widget>
+                </item>
+               </layout>
+              </widget>
+             </item>
+            </layout>
+           </widget>
+          </item>
           <item>
            <spacer name="verticalSpacer_2">
             <property name="orientation">
              <enum>Qt::Orientation::Vertical</enum>
             </property>
             <property name="sizeType">
-             <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Maximum</enum>
+             <enum>QSizePolicy::Policy::Expanding</enum>
             </property>
             <property name="sizeHint" stdset="0">
              <size>
diff --git a/src/sdl_window.cpp b/src/sdl_window.cpp
index 69819a00f..4d0715060 100644
--- a/src/sdl_window.cpp
+++ b/src/sdl_window.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include "video_core/renderdoc.h"
 
 #ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+#include "qt_gui/control_settings.h"
 #include "qt_gui/sdl_event_wrapper.h"
 #endif
 
@@ -100,6 +101,7 @@ void SDLInputEngine::Init() {
     if (m_gamepad) {
         SDL_CloseGamepad(m_gamepad);
         m_gamepad = nullptr;
+        LOG_WARNING(Input, "closed gamepad");
     }
 
     int gamepad_count;
@@ -114,12 +116,51 @@ void SDLInputEngine::Init() {
         return;
     }
 
-    LOG_INFO(Input, "Got {} gamepads. Opening the first one.", gamepad_count);
-    m_gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[0]);
+    std::string activeGamepad = "";
+    std::string defaultGamepad = Config::getDefaultControllerID();
+#ifdef ENABLE_QT_GUI
+    activeGamepad = ControllerSelect::ActiveGamepad;
+#endif
+
+    // If user selects an active gamepad, use that, otherwise, try the default
     if (!m_gamepad) {
-        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad 0: {}", SDL_GetError());
-        SDL_free(gamepads);
-        return;
+        if (activeGamepad != "") {
+            for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+                char pszGUID[33];
+                SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+                std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+                if (currentGUID == activeGamepad) {
+                    m_gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[i]);
+                    if (!m_gamepad) {
+                        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        } else if (Config::getDefaultControllerID() != "") {
+            for (int i = 0; i < gamepad_count; i++) {
+                char pszGUID[33];
+                SDL_GUIDToString(SDL_GetGamepadGUIDForID(gamepads[i]), pszGUID, 33);
+                std::string currentGUID = std::string(pszGUID);
+                if (currentGUID == Config::getDefaultControllerID()) {
+                    m_gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[i]);
+                    if (!m_gamepad) {
+                        LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+                    }
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (!m_gamepad) {
+        LOG_INFO(Input, "Got {} gamepads. Opening the first one.", gamepad_count);
+        m_gamepad = SDL_OpenGamepad(gamepads[0]);
+        if (!m_gamepad) {
+            LOG_ERROR(Input, "Failed to open gamepad: {}", SDL_GetError());
+            SDL_free(gamepads);
+            return;
+        }
     }
 
     SDL_Joystick* joystick = SDL_GetGamepadJoystick(m_gamepad);
@@ -426,6 +467,9 @@ void WindowSDL::WaitEvent() {
             DebugState.PauseGuestThreads();
         }
         break;
+    case SDL_EVENT_CHANGE_CONTROLLER:
+        controller->GetEngine()->Init();
+        break;
     default:
         break;
     }
diff --git a/src/sdl_window.h b/src/sdl_window.h
index 48a9be58c..ce79eedd0 100644
--- a/src/sdl_window.h
+++ b/src/sdl_window.h
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "string"
 #define SDL_EVENT_TOGGLE_FULLSCREEN (SDL_EVENT_USER + 1)
 #define SDL_EVENT_TOGGLE_PAUSE (SDL_EVENT_USER + 2)
+#define SDL_EVENT_CHANGE_CONTROLLER (SDL_EVENT_USER + 3)
 
 struct SDL_Window;
 struct SDL_Gamepad;