# Game controls

Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/game-controls
Skill: hig-inputs
Snapshot: 2025-02-02

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<!-- hig-doctor:attribution -->
> **Source**: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/game-controls.
> This file is a structured index of that content, snapshot 2025-02-02.
> Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc.; this repository provides organization and cross-referencing for AI agent consumption only.

# Game controls

  * Even though all platforms except watchOS support physical game controllers, not every player might have access to one.

  * Players appreciate games that let them use the platform interaction method they’re most familiar with.

## Touch controls

**Determine whether it makes sense to display virtual controls on top of game content.**

**Place virtual buttons where they’re easy to access.**

**Make sure controls are large enough.**

**Always include visible and tactile press states.**

**Use symbols that communicate the actions they perform.**

**Show and hide virtual controls to reflect gameplay.**

  * Visible control 
  * Hidden control 

**Combine functionality into a single control.**

**Map movement and camera controls to predictable behavior.**

## Physical controllers

**Support the platform’s default interaction method.**

**Tell people about game controller requirements.**

**Automatically detect whether a controller is paired.**

**Customize onscreen content to match the connected game controller.**

**Map controller buttons to expected UI behavior.**

**Support multiple connected controllers.**

**Prefer using symbols, not text, to refer to game controller elements.**

## Keyboards

**Prioritize single-key commands.**

**Test key binding comfort game using an Apple keyboard.**

**Take the proximity of keys into account.**

**Let players customize key bindings.**

## Platform considerations

### visionOS

**Match spatial game controller behavior to hand input.**

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For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/game-controls