When starting a skip downshift, a controller for an automatic transmission disengages two or more engagement elements that are in an engaged state. The disengaging two or more engagement elements includes setting a first engagement element, which is one of the two or more engagement elements that are disengaged and is used to form an intermediate gear stage having a lower transmission ratio than a post-shifting gear stage, to an engagement preparation state that maintains a state immediately before the engaged state. Subsequently, the controller engages a second engagement element, which is used to form both the intermediate gear stage and the post-shifting gear stage, and temporarily increases engagement pressure of the first engagement element. The controller disengages the first engagement element and engages a third engagement element, which is used to form the post-shifting gear stage, to form the post-shifting gear stage.