Polytrack logo Polytrack

Polytrack Blog

How to Set Up Polytrack Controls on Mobile and Controller

Updated on October 7, 2025 Reading time: 7 min

Polytrack supports keyboard, controller, and touch input out of the box. Keyboard remains the gold standard for WR chasers, but thousands of players drive exclusively on phones, tablets, or console pads. Follow this guide to configure each control scheme for consistency.

Touchscreen layout presets

Open Settings › Controls › Layout and pick one of the three templates below. Each template can be adjusted later, but start with the base that matches your grip.

Preset Best for Notes
Classic Split Two-thumb portrait play Steering on left, throttle/brake on right. Enable tap-to-drift.
Landscape Bar Tablets / controllers clipped on All controls along the bottom. Pair with gyro for fine steering.
Minimal HUD Press-forward maps Only start/restart buttons plus a single throttle slider.

Recommended sensitivity values

Sensitivity affects how quickly the car responds to steering input. Use these starting points and tweak after a five-lap shakedown.

  • Touch steering sensitivity: 1.75
  • Gyro multiplier: 0.85 (set to 0 if you disable motion control)
  • Touch dead zone: 6%
  • Brake response curve: Smooth

Controller mapping

Plug in any XInput-compatible pad or pair a Bluetooth controller. The default layout works for most players, but you can optimise for rapid resets and camera control by remapping as shown below.

Action Xbox / Switch Pro PlayStation Notes
Throttle RT R2 Enable linear trigger curve for finer control.
Brake LT L2 Map to left bumper if you prefer digital braking.
Restart RB R1 Keep it on the same hand as throttle for quick resets.
Camera toggle Y Triangle Hold to activate free cam during replays.

Comfort tweaks

  • Enable low-latency mode when playing on 120 Hz devices.
  • Reduce the HUD scale to 85% to keep sightlines clear on smaller phones.
  • Use Adaptive Camera for press-forward maps; switch to Car-Fixed for technical tracks.

Testing routine

  1. Run five laps on a familiar track (e.g., Track 1). Log your lap times.
  2. Increment steering sensitivity by 0.05 if you consistently under-rotate.
  3. Record one replay per session and verify that inputs are smooth—stuttering indicates you need a higher dead zone.
  4. Once stable, create a backup profile via Settings › Controls › Export.

Controls are personal, so treat these presets as a starting grid. Keep a simple notebook or Notion page with date-stamped changes and lap time impact. Tracking the tweaks you make is the fastest road to a setup that feels natural on every track.