Unreal Engine 5.7 — Input Module Reference

Last verified: 2026-02-13 Knowledge Gap: UE 5.7 uses Enhanced Input as default (legacy input deprecated)

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Overview

UE 5.7 input systems:

• Enhanced Input (RECOMMENDED, default in UE5): Modular, rebindable, context-based
• Legacy Input: Deprecated, avoid for new projects

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Enhanced Input System

Setup Enhanced Input

1. Enable Plugin: Edit > Plugins > Enhanced Input (enabled by default in UE5)
2. Project Settings: Engine > Input > Default Classes > Default Player Input Class = EnhancedPlayerInput

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Create Input Actions

1. Content Browser > Input > Input Action
2. Name it (e.g., IA_Jump, IA_Move)
3. Configure:
   • Value Type: Digital (bool), Axis1D (float), Axis2D (Vector2D), Axis3D (Vector)

Example Input Actions:

• IA_Jump: Digital (bool)
• IA_Move: Axis2D (Vector2D)
• IA_Look: Axis2D (Vector2D)
• IA_Fire: Digital (bool)

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Create Input Mapping Context

1. Content Browser > Input > Input Mapping Context
2. Name it (e.g., IMC_Default)
3. Add mappings:
   • IA_Jump → Space Bar
   • IA_Move → W/A/S/D keys (combine X/Y)
   • IA_Look → Mouse XY
   • IA_Fire → Left Mouse Button

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Bind Input in C++

#include "EnhancedInputComponent.h"
#include "EnhancedInputSubsystems.h"
#include "InputActionValue.h"

class AMyCharacter : public ACharacter {
public:
    // Input Actions (assign in Blueprint)
    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Input")
    TObjectPtr<UInputAction> MoveAction;

    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Input")
    TObjectPtr<UInputAction> LookAction;

    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Input")
    TObjectPtr<UInputAction> JumpAction;

    UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadOnly, Category = "Input")
    TObjectPtr<UInputMappingContext> DefaultMappingContext;

protected:
    virtual void BeginPlay() override {
        Super::BeginPlay();

        // Add Input Mapping Context
        if (APlayerController* PC = Cast<APlayerController>(Controller)) {
            if (UEnhancedInputLocalPlayerSubsystem* Subsystem =
                ULocalPlayer::GetSubsystem<UEnhancedInputLocalPlayerSubsystem>(PC->GetLocalPlayer())) {
                Subsystem->AddMappingContext(DefaultMappingContext, 0);
            }
        }
    }

    virtual void SetupPlayerInputComponent(UInputComponent* PlayerInputComponent) override {
        Super::SetupPlayerInputComponent(PlayerInputComponent);

        UEnhancedInputComponent* EIC = Cast<UEnhancedInputComponent>(PlayerInputComponent);
        if (EIC) {
            // Bind actions
            EIC->BindAction(JumpAction, ETriggerEvent::Started, this, &ACharacter::Jump);
            EIC->BindAction(JumpAction, ETriggerEvent::Completed, this, &ACharacter::StopJumping);

            EIC->BindAction(MoveAction, ETriggerEvent::Triggered, this, &AMyCharacter::Move);
            EIC->BindAction(LookAction, ETriggerEvent::Triggered, this, &AMyCharacter::Look);
        }
    }

    void Move(const FInputActionValue& Value) {
        FVector2D MoveVector = Value.Get<FVector2D>();

        if (Controller) {
            AddMovementInput(GetActorForwardVector(), MoveVector.Y);
            AddMovementInput(GetActorRightVector(), MoveVector.X);
        }
    }

    void Look(const FInputActionValue& Value) {
        FVector2D LookVector = Value.Get<FVector2D>();

        if (Controller) {
            AddControllerYawInput(LookVector.X);
            AddControllerPitchInput(LookVector.Y);
        }
    }
};

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Input Triggers

Trigger Types

Input Actions can have triggers to control when they fire:

• Pressed: When input starts
• Released: When input ends
• Hold: Hold for duration
• Tap: Quick press
• Pulse: Repeated firing while held

Add Trigger in Editor

1. Open Input Action asset
2. Triggers > Add > Select trigger type (e.g., Hold)
3. Configure (e.g., Hold Time = 0.5s)

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Input Modifiers

Modifier Types

Modifiers transform input values:

• Negate: Flip sign (-1 ↔ 1)
• Dead Zone: Ignore small inputs
• Scalar: Multiply by value
• Smooth: Smoothing over time

Add Modifier in Editor

1. Open Input Action asset
2. Modifiers > Add > Select modifier (e.g., Negate)
3. Configure

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Input Mapping Contexts (Context Switching)

Multiple Contexts

// Define contexts
UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, Category = "Input")
TObjectPtr<UInputMappingContext> DefaultContext;

UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, Category = "Input")
TObjectPtr<UInputMappingContext> VehicleContext;

// Switch context
void EnterVehicle() {
    if (APlayerController* PC = Cast<APlayerController>(Controller)) {
        if (UEnhancedInputLocalPlayerSubsystem* Subsystem =
            ULocalPlayer::GetSubsystem<UEnhancedInputLocalPlayerSubsystem>(PC->GetLocalPlayer())) {
            Subsystem->RemoveMappingContext(DefaultContext);
            Subsystem->AddMappingContext(VehicleContext, 0);
        }
    }
}

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Legacy Input (Deprecated)

Legacy Input Bindings

// ❌ DEPRECATED: Do not use for new projects

void AMyCharacter::SetupPlayerInputComponent(UInputComponent* PlayerInputComponent) {
    // Legacy action binding
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAction("Jump", IE_Pressed, this, &ACharacter::Jump);

    // Legacy axis binding
    PlayerInputComponent->BindAxis("MoveForward", this, &AMyCharacter::MoveForward);
}

void MoveForward(float Value) {
    AddMovementInput(GetActorForwardVector(), Value);
}

Migration: Use Enhanced Input instead.

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Gamepad Input

Gamepad with Enhanced Input

// Input Mapping Context:
// - IA_Move → Gamepad Left Thumbstick
// - IA_Look → Gamepad Right Thumbstick
// - IA_Jump → Gamepad Face Button Bottom (A/Cross)

// No code changes needed, just add gamepad mappings to Input Mapping Context

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Touch Input (Mobile)

Touch Input with Enhanced Input

// Input Mapping Context:
// - IA_Move → Touch (virtual thumbstick)
// - IA_Look → Touch (swipe)

// Use Touch Interface asset for virtual controls

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Rebinding Input at Runtime

Change Key Mapping

#include "PlayerMappableInputConfig.h"

// Get subsystem
UEnhancedInputLocalPlayerSubsystem* Subsystem = /* Get subsystem */;

// Get player mappable keys
FPlayerMappableKeySlot KeySlot = FPlayerMappableKeySlot(/*..*/);
FKey NewKey = EKeys::F; // Rebind to F key

// Apply new mapping
Subsystem->AddPlayerMappedKey(/*..*/);

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Input Debugging

Debug Input

// Console commands:
// showdebug input - Show input debug info

// Log input values:
UE_LOG(LogTemp, Warning, TEXT("Move Input: %s"), *MoveVector.ToString());

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Common Patterns

Check if Key Pressed (Quick & Dirty)

// For debugging only (not recommended for gameplay)
if (GetWorld()->GetFirstPlayerController()->IsInputKeyDown(EKeys::SpaceBar)) {
    // Space bar is down
}

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Sources

• https://docs.unrealengine.com/5.7/en-US/enhanced-input-in-unreal-engine/
• https://docs.unrealengine.com/5.7/en-US/enhanced-input-action-and-input-mapping-context-in-unreal-engine/