diff --git a/src/core/SafeArea.lua b/src/core/SafeArea.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..86c404fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/SafeArea.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+-- Usable window rect for mobile chrome (notch / Dynamic Island / home
+-- indicator / Android display cutouts).  Wraps love.window.getSafeArea when
+-- the engine provides it; otherwise the full graphics window.
+--
+-- Desktop and headless stubs return the full window, so callers can always
+-- layout against this rect without platform branches.  Interactive chrome
+-- (touch overlay, launcher) should prefer this over getDimensions; the game
+-- canvas may still letterbox into the full framebuffer for immersion.
+
+local SafeArea = {}
+
+function SafeArea.rect()
+  local ww, wh = 0, 0
+  if love and love.graphics and love.graphics.getDimensions then
+    ww, wh = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  end
+  if ww <= 0 then ww = 1 end
+  if wh <= 0 then wh = 1 end
+
+  if not (love and love.window and love.window.getSafeArea) then
+    return 0, 0, ww, wh
+  end
+
+  local x, y, w, h = love.window.getSafeArea()
+  if type(x) ~= "number" or type(y) ~= "number"
+     or type(w) ~= "number" or type(h) ~= "number"
+     or w <= 0 or h <= 0 then
+    return 0, 0, ww, wh
+  end
+
+  -- Clamp to the drawable window so a bad / mid-rotation backend cannot
+  -- push layout outside the surface.
+  x = math.max(0, math.min(x, ww))
+  y = math.max(0, math.min(y, wh))
+  w = math.max(1, math.min(w, ww - x))
+  h = math.max(1, math.min(h, wh - y))
+  return x, y, w, h
+end
+
+return SafeArea
diff --git a/src/core/TouchControls.lua b/src/core/TouchControls.lua
index 50178e7c..8678dce8 100644
--- a/src/core/TouchControls.lua
+++ b/src/core/TouchControls.lua
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 -- and a player rebind can never detach the overlay.
 
 local Input = require("src.core.Input")
+local SafeArea = require("src.core.SafeArea")
 
 local TouchControls = {}
 
@@ -92,20 +93,23 @@ function TouchControls.normalizeConfig(tc)
   return out
 end
 
--- Pure default layout in LOVE units for a given window size.  Shared by
--- layout() and the editor's Reset path so defaults stay in one place.
-function TouchControls.defaultLayout(ww, wh)
+-- Pure default layout in LOVE units for a usable rect of size ww x wh at
+-- origin (ox, oy).  Shared by layout() and the editor's Reset path so
+-- defaults stay in one place.  ox/oy default to 0 for the headless tests
+-- and for callers that already pass a full-window size.
+function TouchControls.defaultLayout(ww, wh, ox, oy)
+  ox, oy = ox or 0, oy or 0
   local short = math.min(ww, wh)
   local dpadW = math.min(180, short * 0.34)
   local abW = dpadW * 0.46
   local ssW = dpadW * 0.30
   local margin = dpadW * 0.12
   return {
-    dpad = { cx = margin + dpadW / 2, cy = wh - margin - dpadW / 2, w = dpadW },
-    a = { cx = ww - margin - abW * 0.55, cy = wh - margin - abW * 1.75, w = abW },
-    b = { cx = ww - margin - abW * 1.60, cy = wh - margin - abW * 0.55, w = abW },
-    start = { cx = ww / 2 + ssW * 0.60, cy = wh - margin - ssW * 0.95, w = ssW },
-    select = { cx = ww / 2 - ssW * 0.60, cy = wh - margin - ssW * 0.95, w = ssW },
+    dpad = { cx = ox + margin + dpadW / 2, cy = oy + wh - margin - dpadW / 2, w = dpadW },
+    a = { cx = ox + ww - margin - abW * 0.55, cy = oy + wh - margin - abW * 1.75, w = abW },
+    b = { cx = ox + ww - margin - abW * 1.60, cy = oy + wh - margin - abW * 0.55, w = abW },
+    start = { cx = ox + ww / 2 + ssW * 0.60, cy = oy + wh - margin - ssW * 0.95, w = ssW },
+    select = { cx = ox + ww / 2 - ssW * 0.60, cy = oy + wh - margin - ssW * 0.95, w = ssW },
   }
 end
 
@@ -155,6 +159,7 @@ function TouchControls:applyOptions(opts)
   self.enabled = cfg.enabled
   self.positions = cfg.positions
   self.layoutW, self.layoutH = nil, nil
+  self.layoutOx, self.layoutOy = nil, nil
   if not self.enabled then
     self.controllerHidden = false
     self:reset()
@@ -185,30 +190,37 @@ function TouchControls:visible()
      and not self.controllerHidden
 end
 
-local function clampZone(zone, ww, wh)
+-- Keep a control fully inside the usable rect [x0,y0]..[x1,y1].
+local function clampZone(zone, x0, y0, x1, y1)
   local half = zone.w * 0.5
-  zone.cx = math.max(half, math.min(ww - half, zone.cx))
-  zone.cy = math.max(half, math.min(wh - half, zone.cy))
+  zone.cx = math.max(x0 + half, math.min(x1 - half, zone.cx))
+  zone.cy = math.max(y0 + half, math.min(y1 - half, zone.cy))
 end
 
 -- Layout in LOVE units (density-independent on mobile), recomputed when
--- the window size changes (rotation, resize).  Default: d-pad bottom-left,
--- B/A bottom-right with A above B (the Game Boy diagonal), START/SELECT
--- flanking the bottom center.  Custom positions (normalized 0..1) override
--- centers while sizes stay derived from the short edge.
+-- the window or safe area changes (rotation, resize, notch insets).
+-- Default: d-pad bottom-left, B/A bottom-right with A above B (the Game Boy
+-- diagonal), START/SELECT flanking the bottom center -- all inside the
+-- device safe area so thumbs clear the home indicator / cutouts.
+-- Custom positions (normalized 0..1 within the safe rect) override centers
+-- while sizes stay derived from the short edge.
 function TouchControls:layout()
-  local ww, wh = love.graphics.getDimensions()
-  if self.layoutW == ww and self.layoutH == wh and self.L then return self.L end
-  self.layoutW, self.layoutH = ww, wh
-  self.L = TouchControls.defaultLayout(ww, wh)
+  local ox, oy, sw, sh = SafeArea.rect()
+  if self.layoutW == sw and self.layoutH == sh
+     and self.layoutOx == ox and self.layoutOy == oy and self.L then
+    return self.L
+  end
+  self.layoutW, self.layoutH = sw, sh
+  self.layoutOx, self.layoutOy = ox, oy
+  self.L = TouchControls.defaultLayout(sw, sh, ox, oy)
   if self.positions then
     for _, name in ipairs(CONTROLS) do
       local p = self.positions[name]
       local zone = self.L[name]
       if p and zone then
-        zone.cx = p.x * ww
-        zone.cy = p.y * wh
-        clampZone(zone, ww, wh)
+        zone.cx = ox + p.x * sw
+        zone.cy = oy + p.y * sh
+        clampZone(zone, ox, oy, ox + sw, oy + sh)
       end
     end
   end
@@ -222,21 +234,25 @@ function TouchControls:layout()
 end
 
 -- Move one control to a screen-space point and persist its normalized
--- position.  Used by the layout editor while dragging.
+-- position within the safe rect.  Used by the layout editor while dragging.
 function TouchControls:setControlCenter(name, cx, cy)
-  local ww, wh = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  local ox, oy, sw, sh = SafeArea.rect()
   local L = self:layout()
   local zone = L[name]
   if not zone then return end
   zone.cx, zone.cy = cx, cy
-  clampZone(zone, ww, wh)
+  clampZone(zone, ox, oy, ox + sw, oy + sh)
   self.positions = self.positions or {}
-  self.positions[name] = { x = zone.cx / ww, y = zone.cy / wh }
+  self.positions[name] = {
+    x = sw > 0 and (zone.cx - ox) / sw or 0,
+    y = sh > 0 and (zone.cy - oy) / sh or 0,
+  }
 end
 
 function TouchControls:clearPositions()
   self.positions = nil
   self.layoutW, self.layoutH = nil, nil
+  self.layoutOx, self.layoutOy = nil, nil
 end
 
 local function inCircle(zone, x, y, slop)
diff --git a/src/import/RomImporter.lua b/src/import/RomImporter.lua
index 65f37419..51d83c71 100644
--- a/src/import/RomImporter.lua
+++ b/src/import/RomImporter.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
 local Strings = require("src.core.Strings")
 local HostShell = require("src.core.HostShell")
+local SafeArea = require("src.core.SafeArea")
 
 local RomImporter = {}
 RomImporter.__index = RomImporter
@@ -1291,10 +1292,10 @@ local PAD_DPAD_SPEED = 420
 
 function RomImporter:_activatePadCursor()
   if self._padCursorActive then return end
-  local w, h = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  local ox, oy, w, h = SafeArea.rect()
   if not self._padInited then
-    self._padCursor.x = w * 0.5
-    self._padCursor.y = h * 0.45
+    self._padCursor.x = ox + w * 0.5
+    self._padCursor.y = oy + h * 0.45
     self._padInited = true
   end
   self._padCursorActive = true
@@ -1340,11 +1341,11 @@ function RomImporter:_updatePadCursor(dt)
     if mag > 1 then dx, dy = dx / mag, dy / mag end
     local speed = (math.abs(ax) > PAD_DEAD or math.abs(ay) > PAD_DEAD)
       and PAD_SPEED or PAD_DPAD_SPEED
-    local w, h = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+    local ox, oy, w, h = SafeArea.rect()
     local nx = self._padCursor.x + dx * speed * dt
     local ny = self._padCursor.y + dy * speed * dt
-    self._padCursor.x = math.max(0, math.min(w, nx))
-    self._padCursor.y = math.max(0, math.min(h, ny))
+    self._padCursor.x = math.max(ox, math.min(ox + w, nx))
+    self._padCursor.y = math.max(oy, math.min(oy + h, ny))
   end
 
   -- Right stick scrolls the active list (save slots or mods), or the whole page
@@ -1722,7 +1723,10 @@ function RomImporter:_resetFrameRects()
 end
 
 function RomImporter:draw()
-  local width, height = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  -- Full window for immersive backdrop; safe rect for interactive chrome so
+  -- notch / Dynamic Island / home indicator / Android cutouts are respected.
+  local fullW, fullH = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  local ox, oy, width, height = SafeArea.rect()
   local s = clamp(height / 768, 0.7, 1.6)
   local pulse = self.pulse
   self._s = s
@@ -1741,8 +1745,9 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   self._anyHover = false
   self:_resetFrameRects()
 
-  -- Fonts + size-dependent scenery, rebuilt only when the window size changes.
-  local fontKey = ("%dx%d"):format(width, height)
+  -- Fonts + size-dependent scenery, rebuilt only when the window / safe
+  -- area changes (rotation, resize, inset changes).
+  local fontKey = ("%dx%d@%d,%d"):format(fullW, fullH, ox, oy)
   if self.fontKey ~= fontKey then
     self.fontKey = fontKey
     local function f(px) return love.graphics.newFont(math.max(8, math.floor(px + 0.5))) end
@@ -1766,10 +1771,10 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     -- Background: a radial gradient (bright navy at top-centre -> near black).
     -- A triangle fan from the top-centre gives the radial falloff; the screen
     -- is cleared to the outer colour first so the corners it does not reach
-    -- match seamlessly.
+    -- match seamlessly.  Sized to the full window so unsafe edges stay filled.
     do
-      local cx, cy = width / 2, 0
-      local rx, ry = width * 1.3, height * 1.08
+      local cx, cy = fullW / 2, 0
+      local rx, ry = fullW * 1.3, fullH * 1.08
       local n = 72
       local verts = { { cx, cy, 0, 0,
         PAL.bgTop[1] / 255, PAL.bgTop[2] / 255, PAL.bgTop[3] / 255, 1 } }
@@ -1783,8 +1788,8 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
 
     -- CRT vignette: a gentle edge darkening, centred slightly above the middle.
     do
-      local cx, cy = width / 2, height * 0.45
-      local rx, ry = width * 0.78, height * 0.78
+      local cx, cy = fullW / 2, fullH * 0.45
+      local rx, ry = fullW * 0.78, fullH * 0.78
       local n = 72
       local verts = { { cx, cy, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 } }
       for i = 0, n do
@@ -1806,7 +1811,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
       self.scanlineImage:setWrap("repeat", "repeat")
       self.scanlineImage:setFilter("nearest", "nearest")
     end
-    self.scanlineQuad = love.graphics.newQuad(0, 0, width, height, 1, 3)
+    self.scanlineQuad = love.graphics.newQuad(0, 0, fullW, fullH, 1, 3)
   end
 
   -- Invert shader: the Boi's Club Games mark is dark ink; on this dark panel it
@@ -1832,21 +1837,23 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     }
   ]])
 
-  -- background
+  -- background (full window — unsafe edges stay painted)
   col(PAL.bgBot)
-  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, fullH)
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 1, 1, 1)
   love.graphics.draw(self.bgMesh)
 
   -- Centered content container (max ~1440 scaled units on very wide windows)
   -- with a responsive side gutter; every column below derives from these.
+  -- Origin is the safe-area top-left so chrome clears device insets.
   local appW = math.min(width, 1440 * s)
-  local appX = (width - appW) / 2
+  local appX = ox + (width - appW) / 2
   local padH = clamp(appW * 0.03, 12 * s, 26 * s)
   local third = appW / 3
 
   -- tricolor strip (Red | Blue | Yellow), 6px tall, with a soft downward bloom
   local stripH = math.max(4, 6 * s)
+  local stripY = oy
   local segs = {
     { PAL.red,  appX,             third },
     { PAL.blue, appX + third,     third },
@@ -1854,11 +1861,11 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   }
   love.graphics.setBlendMode("add")
   for _, seg in ipairs(segs) do
-    fillGrad(seg[2], stripH, seg[3], stripH * 3.6, seg[1], seg[1], 0.30, 0.0)
+    fillGrad(seg[2], stripY + stripH, seg[3], stripH * 3.6, seg[1], seg[1], 0.30, 0.0)
   end
   love.graphics.setBlendMode("alpha")
   for _, seg in ipairs(segs) do
-    col(seg[1]); love.graphics.rectangle("fill", seg[2], 0, seg[3], stripH)
+    col(seg[1]); love.graphics.rectangle("fill", seg[2], stripY, seg[3], stripH)
   end
 
   -- Footer (Boi's Club Games logo + trust warning), measured first so the
@@ -1880,7 +1887,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     math.min(330 * s, appW - 32 * s))
   local logoScale = math.min(logoTargetW / logoW, height * 0.15 / logoH)
   local logoDW, logoDH = logoW * logoScale, logoH * logoScale
-  local logoY = stripH + 14 * s
+  local logoY = stripY + stripH + 14 * s
 
   -- Tab bar: R/B/Y/divider/MODS chips (label + underline on the active one),
   -- with "N of 3 ready" right-aligned.
@@ -1910,7 +1917,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   local bannerBand = bannerActive and (bannerH + 20 * s) or 6 * s
   local cX = appX + padH
   local cW = appW - 2 * padH
-  local contentBottom = height - footerH - bannerBand
+  local contentBottom = oy + height - footerH - bannerBand
   local cH = math.max(0, contentBottom - contentTop)
 
   -- Page scroll.  Everything under the tab bar -- panel, updater banner and
@@ -1921,14 +1928,14 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- the previous frame's measurement, the same one-frame settle the slot and
   -- mod lists already rely on.  While the page fits, `paged` is false and every
   -- measurement below is what it always was.
-  local viewportH = math.max(0, height - contentTop)
+  local viewportH = math.max(0, oy + height - contentTop)
   self._panelNaturalH = self._panelNaturalH or {}
   local naturalH = (self._panelNaturalH[self.tab] or 0) + bannerBand + footerH
   local paged, pageScroll, maxPage =
     RomImporter.pageScrollFor(naturalH, viewportH, self.pageScroll)
   self.pageScroll, self._pageMax = pageScroll, maxPage
   -- read by the hit tests; a scrolled control is live only inside the viewport
-  pageBand = paged and { contentTop, height } or nil
+  pageBand = paged and { contentTop, oy + height } or nil
 
   -- tab bar (rebuilds self.tabRects).  Pinned: it is the launcher's navigation,
   -- and it sits above the scrolling viewport.
@@ -2099,10 +2106,10 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
 
   -- logo, over the split, with a gentle bob + gold glow + sweeping shine
   local bob = math.sin(pulse * (2 * math.pi / 4)) * 6 * s
-  local lx, ly = (width - logoDW) / 2, logoY + bob
+  local lx, ly = ox + (width - logoDW) / 2, logoY + bob
   love.graphics.setBlendMode("add")
   love.graphics.setColor(1, 0.85, 0.2, 0.16 + 0.12 * (0.5 + 0.5 * math.sin(pulse * 1.6)))
-  love.graphics.draw(self.logo, (width - logoDW * 1.05) / 2, ly - logoDH * 0.025, 0,
+  love.graphics.draw(self.logo, ox + (width - logoDW * 1.05) / 2, ly - logoDH * 0.025, 0,
     logoScale * 1.05, logoScale * 1.05)
   love.graphics.setBlendMode("alpha")
   local shineW = 0.16
@@ -2135,11 +2142,11 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- save-slot rename modal (#205), drawn over everything
   if self._rename then
     col(PAL.bgBot, 0.72)
-    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, fullH)
     local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 420 * s)
     local dh = 128 * s
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     neonGlow(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.green, 0.4)
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.85, 0.85)
@@ -2181,11 +2188,11 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   -- it is typed.
   if self._indexPrompt then
     col(PAL.bgBot, 0.72)
-    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, fullH)
     local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 520 * s)
     local dh = 168 * s
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     neonGlow(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.modDot, 0.4)
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.9, 0.9)
@@ -2237,7 +2244,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
   if self._modConfirm or self._modVersions or self._modReleaseNotes
       or self._findDetails then
     col(PAL.bgBot, 0.72)
-    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, width, height)
+    love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, fullH)
   end
   if self._modConfirm then
     local c = self._modConfirm
@@ -2245,7 +2252,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     local lineH = self.hintFont:getHeight() + 4 * s
     local dh = 36 * s + (#c.lines) * lineH + 56 * s
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.92, 0.92)
     love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
@@ -2287,7 +2294,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 480 * s)
     local dh = math.min(height - 48 * s, 360 * s)
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.92, 0.92)
     love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
@@ -2332,7 +2339,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     local dw = math.min(appW - 32 * s, 520 * s)
     local dh = math.min(height - 48 * s, 420 * s)
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.94, 0.94)
     love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
@@ -2389,7 +2396,7 @@ function RomImporter:draw()
     listH = listN * rowH
     dh = headerH + listH + footerH
     local dx = appX + (appW - dw) / 2
-    local dy = (height - dh) / 2
+    local dy = oy + (height - dh) / 2
     local rr = 12 * s
     fillGradRounded(dx, dy, dw, dh, rr, PAL.slotBg, PAL.slotBg, 0.96, 0.96)
     love.graphics.setLineWidth(math.max(1, 1.2 * s))
diff --git a/src/ui/TouchControlsEditor.lua b/src/ui/TouchControlsEditor.lua
index 2a69ea02..73f54bed 100644
--- a/src/ui/TouchControlsEditor.lua
+++ b/src/ui/TouchControlsEditor.lua
@@ -109,34 +109,36 @@ function Editor.update(_dt)
 end
 
 function Editor.draw()
-  local ww, wh = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  local SafeArea = require("src.core.SafeArea")
+  local fullW, fullH = love.graphics.getDimensions()
+  local ox, oy, ww, wh = SafeArea.rect()
   local s = math.max(0.75, math.min(1.4, wh / 768))
   Editor.rects = {}
 
   -- radial-ish navy field (two stacked fills; matches launcher atmosphere)
   col(PAL.bgBot)
-  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, ww, wh)
+  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, fullH)
   col(PAL.bgTop, 0.85)
-  love.graphics.circle("fill", ww * 0.5, wh * 0.15, math.max(ww, wh) * 0.55)
+  love.graphics.circle("fill", ox + ww * 0.5, oy + wh * 0.15, math.max(ww, wh) * 0.55)
 
   local pad = 18 * s
   local barH = 56 * s
   local btnH = 40 * s
   local btnW = 100 * s
 
-  -- top bar
+  -- top bar (inside the safe area so it clears the notch / status bar)
   col(PAL.card, 0.92)
-  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, ww, barH + pad)
+  love.graphics.rectangle("fill", 0, 0, fullW, oy + barH + pad)
   col(PAL.stroke, 0.35)
   love.graphics.setLineWidth(1)
-  love.graphics.line(0, barH + pad, ww, barH + pad)
+  love.graphics.line(0, oy + barH + pad, fullW, oy + barH + pad)
 
   love.graphics.setFont(Editor.fonts.title)
   col(PAL.white)
-  love.graphics.print("Touch Controls", pad, pad + 4 * s)
+  love.graphics.print("Touch Controls", ox + pad, oy + pad + 4 * s)
 
   -- Done / Reset
-  local done = { x = ww - pad - btnW, y = pad + (barH - btnH) / 2,
+  local done = { x = ox + ww - pad - btnW, y = oy + pad + (barH - btnH) / 2,
                  w = btnW, h = btnH }
   local reset = { x = done.x - 10 * s - btnW, y = done.y, w = btnW, h = btnH }
   Editor.rects.done, Editor.rects.reset = done, reset
@@ -156,9 +158,9 @@ function Editor.draw()
   chromeBtn(done, "Done", PAL.green)
 
   -- enable toggle card
-  local cardY = barH + pad + 14 * s
+  local cardY = oy + barH + pad + 14 * s
   local cardH = 64 * s
-  local cardX, cardW = pad, ww - 2 * pad
+  local cardX, cardW = ox + pad, ww - 2 * pad
   col(PAL.card, 0.88)
   roundRect("fill", cardX, cardY, cardW, cardH, 12 * s)
   col(PAL.stroke, 0.4)
@@ -190,7 +192,7 @@ function Editor.draw()
   local hint = on
     and "Drag each button to reposition. Layout is saved when you tap Done."
     or "Controls are hidden in-game. Enable them to show and edit the layout."
-  love.graphics.printf(hint, pad, cardY + cardH + 12 * s, ww - 2 * pad, "left")
+  love.graphics.printf(hint, ox + pad, cardY + cardH + 12 * s, ww - 2 * pad, "left")
 
   -- the overlay itself (preview mode; dimmed when disabled)
   TouchControls:draw()
diff --git a/tests/love_stub.lua b/tests/love_stub.lua
index 00dc65e0..8973c8a0 100644
--- a/tests/love_stub.lua
+++ b/tests/love_stub.lua
@@ -203,4 +203,12 @@ stub.mouse = {
 
 stub.timer = { getTime = function() return 0 end }
 
+-- Desktop / headless: full-window safe area (matches LÖVE's fallback).
+stub.window = {
+  getSafeArea = function()
+    local ww, wh = stub.graphics.getDimensions()
+    return 0, 0, ww, wh
+  end,
+}
+
 return stub
diff --git a/tests/run_tests.lua b/tests/run_tests.lua
index 59e826c3..5443e196 100644
--- a/tests/run_tests.lua
+++ b/tests/run_tests.lua
@@ -1696,6 +1696,7 @@ end
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- touch controls layout (#327)
 do
   local TC = require("src.core.TouchControls")
+  local SafeArea = require("src.core.SafeArea")
   local cfg = TC.normalizeConfig(nil)
   eq(cfg.enabled, true, "touchControls default enabled")
   check(cfg.positions == nil, "touchControls default positions nil")
@@ -1721,6 +1722,12 @@ do
   check(L.a.cx > 200, "default A on right half")
   check(L.dpad.cy > 400, "default d-pad in bottom half")
 
+  -- safe-area origin shifts defaults without changing relative layout
+  local Ls = TC.defaultLayout(400, 800, 20, 30)
+  eq(Ls.dpad.cx, L.dpad.cx + 20, "defaultLayout ox shifts controls")
+  eq(Ls.dpad.cy, L.dpad.cy + 30, "defaultLayout oy shifts controls")
+  eq(Ls.a.cx, L.a.cx + 20, "defaultLayout ox shifts A")
+
   -- applyOptions + visible gate (no real images needed for the gate)
   TC.enabled = true
   TC.active = true
@@ -1743,16 +1750,37 @@ do
   -- custom position applied through layout()
   local g = love.graphics
   local oldDim, oldFont = g.getDimensions, g.newFont
+  local oldSafe = love.window and love.window.getSafeArea
   g.getDimensions = function() return 400, 800 end
   g.newFont = function() return { getWidth = function() return 10 end,
                                   getHeight = function() return 10 end } end
-  TC.layoutW, TC.layoutH, TC.L = nil, nil, nil
+  love.window = love.window or {}
+  love.window.getSafeArea = function() return 0, 0, 400, 800 end
+  TC.layoutW, TC.layoutH, TC.layoutOx, TC.layoutOy, TC.L = nil, nil, nil, nil, nil
   local lay = TC:layout()
   eq(lay.dpad.cx, 100, "custom dpad cx = nx * ww")
   eq(lay.dpad.cy, 600, "custom dpad cy = ny * wh")
+
+  -- inset safe area: custom positions stay inside the usable rect
+  love.window.getSafeArea = function() return 10, 40, 380, 720 end
+  TC.layoutW, TC.layoutH, TC.layoutOx, TC.layoutOy, TC.L = nil, nil, nil, nil, nil
+  lay = TC:layout()
+  eq(lay.dpad.cx, 10 + 0.25 * 380, "safe-area custom dpad cx")
+  eq(lay.dpad.cy, 40 + 0.75 * 720, "safe-area custom dpad cy")
+  check(lay.dpad.cy <= 40 + 720 - lay.dpad.w * 0.5 + 1e-6,
+        "safe-area dpad clears bottom inset")
+
+  local x, y, w, h = SafeArea.rect()
+  eq(x, 10, "SafeArea.rect x")
+  eq(y, 40, "SafeArea.rect y")
+  eq(w, 380, "SafeArea.rect w")
+  eq(h, 720, "SafeArea.rect h")
+
   TC:clearPositions()
   check(TC.positions == nil, "clearPositions wipes overrides")
   g.getDimensions, g.newFont = oldDim, oldFont
+  if oldSafe then love.window.getSafeArea = oldSafe
+  else love.window.getSafeArea = nil end
 end
 
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- crit thresholds (CriticalHitTest)