Version: 2023.1
Language : English
Detect Game Controllers
Unity's Device Simulator for iOS

Handle Game Controller input

The input scheme is dependent on the type of application you are developing. You can set up specific actions in Unity’s Input ManagerSettings where you can define all the different input axes, buttons and controls for your project. More info
See in Glossary
settings. By default, the Unity Input Horizontal axis is mapped to the game controllerA device to control objects and characters in a game.
See in Glossary
D-pad and the left analog stick is mapped to extended profile controllers. See Input mapping for the KeyCodes and Axes that correspond to specific controller buttons.

Example: Set up joystick button A for the Jump action

  1. Go to Edit > Project Settings.
  2. Select the Input Manager category.
  3. Open the Jump action.
  4. Set Positive Button to joystick button 14.

This code example demonstrates the corresponding input handling:

using UnityEngine;

public class Jumping : MonoBehaviour
{
    Rigidbody2D rb;
    float jumpForce = 100f;

    void Start()
    {
        rb = GetComponent<Rigidbody2D>();
    }

    void Update()
    {
        if (Input.GetButtonDown("Jump"))
        {
            rb.AddForce(new Vector2(0f, jumpForce));
        }
    }
}

Example: Set up joystick button X for the Fire action

  1. Go to Edit > Project Settings.
  2. Select the Input Manager category.
  3. Open the Fire1 action.
  4. Set Positive Button to joystick button 15.

This code example demonstrates the corresponding input handling:

using UnityEngine;
 
public class Shooting : MonoBehaviour
{
    float bulletSpeed = 500f;
    public Transform gun;
    public Rigidbody2D bullet;
 
    void Update()
    {
        if (Input.GetButtonDown("Fire1"))
        {
            var bulletInstance = Instantiate(bullet, gun.position, gun.rotation);
            bulletInstance.AddForce(gun.up * bulletSpeed);
        }
    }
}

Game Controller input mapping

You can map controller input in the Unity Input settings using the following:

Name KeyCode Axis
A joystick button 14 joystick axis 14
B joystick button 13 joystick axis 13
X joystick button 15 joystick axis 15
Y joystick button 12 joystick axis 12
Left Stick N/A Axis 1 (X) - Horizontal, Axis 2 (Y) - Vertical
Right Stick N/A Axis 3 - Horizontal, Axis 4 - Vertical
D-pad Up joystick button 4 Basic profile only: Axis 2 (Y)
D-pad Right joystick button 5 Basic profile only: Axis 1 (X)
D-pad Down joystick button 6 Basic profile only: Axis 2 (Y)
D-pad Left joystick button 7 Basic profile only: Axis 1 (X)
Pause joystick button 0 N/A
L1/R1 joystick button 8 / joystick button 9 joystick axis 8 / joystick axis 9
L2/R2 joystick button 10 / joystick button 11 joystick axis 10 / joystick axis 11

Additional resources:

Detect Game Controllers
Unity's Device Simulator for iOS