Civilization VII on a Mac with a controller
The Civilization VII layout is built into InputConfig, free on the Mac App Store. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon.
On a Mac: Native Mac version on Steam, which lists full controller support, DualSense and DualShock included. Try your pad in the game first. This layout sends the mouse and keyboard the game always accepts.
Yes, Civilization VII runs natively on the Mac, and unlike Civilization VI it was built with a controller interface from the start, so if your pad works in it, use that. This layout is the mouse way on a pad, for a controller the game does not pick up, an adaptive setup with one or two buttons, or players who prefer the mouse interface. Next turn is the big button, because you press it more than anything else.
On this page: 9 sections
The layout, control by control
How the layout thinks
- Pointer and map. The left stick moves the pointer at speed 16, the right stick pans the map with the arrow keys.
- Click. The right trigger selects (left click), the left trigger moves units and opens context menus (right click).
- Face buttons. Next turn and confirm on the bottom (Return), cancel on the right (Escape), the tech tree on the left (T).
- Zoom. The left bumper zooms out and the right zooms in.
- Found or build. On the PS or Guide button (B).
Return on the big button ends the turn, so one more turn is one press.
Tune it
- The Home button. If pressing it brings up something from macOS rather than founding a city, click Scan on the found or build row and press another button, such as the top face button.
- City screens. Lower the Pointer speed slider on the preset's page while you manage a city, or turn on Ramp-up on the pointer rows so small pushes creep.
- Civics. Put its key on the top face button, beside the tech tree.
- One-button play. For a switch user, a single button can carry next turn and a long press can carry select: set its Press mode to Different action when held.
If the Home button misbehaves, move found or build to the top face button.
If the game sees the pad
Steam lists full controller support, DualSense and DualShock included, and the game was designed for the sofa. Use its own interface whenever it sees your pad, with this preset off. With both running, every press does two things.
Use the controller interface first, and this layout for the mouse interface or an adaptive setup.
Civilization VII controller support: controller or keyboard
Steam's store page lists full controller support for Civilization VII, so the game was made to be played on a controller, menus included. A keyboard and mouse work as well, and the choice is yours. On a Mac, use the game's own controller support first when it sees your pad; this layout is for a pad it does not see, or for buttons it will not let you move. Full support listed means the controller is a first-class way to play Civilization VII.
From Steam's listing, checked in October 2026. Every game's listing is in Mac games with controller support.
If your controller is not working in Civilization VII
When Civilization VII does not react to your controller on a Mac, climb this ladder, smallest step first:
- Check that the Mac sees the controller. Open the gamepad tester and press a button. If nothing lights up there, the problem is the connection, and a controller that is connected but not working covers that first.
- Check the Steam Input setting for Civilization VII. In Steam, open Civilization VII, Properties, Controller, and change the Steam Input override. A controller that works in Steam but not in the game goes through each choice.
- Play it from keys. If Civilization VII still ignores the pad, activate this layout. It sends the keyboard and mouse controls Civilization VII already reads. Turn the game's own controller option off while it runs, or a press can arrive twice. The layout works whether or not Civilization VII ever sees the controller.
Get it in two clicks
- Get InputConfig free on the Mac App Store, open it, and click Smart Preset Maker on the welcome screen.
- Search for Civilization VII and pick it. The layout is created as a preset in your sidebar, named and ready.
- Press Activate. Every row can be changed afterwards: the editor's Scan button rebinds any control the moment you touch it.
To check the controller itself first, the gamepad tester shows every button and stick live in your browser.
Civilization VII controls: every button and the key it sends
The Sends column is Civilization VII's default keyboard and mouse controls, as this layout expects them. If you changed a key in the game's settings, change the same row in InputConfig.
| Controller | Sends | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Left stick left | Mouse motion left (speed 16) | Cursor left |
| Left stick right | Mouse motion right (speed 16) | Cursor right |
| Left stick up | Mouse motion up (speed 16) | Cursor up |
| Left stick down | Mouse motion down (speed 16) | Cursor down |
| Right stick left | Left | Pan camera left |
| Right stick right | Right | Pan camera right |
| Right stick up | Up | Pan camera up |
| Right stick down | Down | Pan camera down |
| Right trigger | Left click | Select (left click) |
| Left trigger | Right click | Move / context (right click) |
| A / Cross | Return | Next turn / confirm (Enter) |
| B / Circle | Escape | Cancel (Esc) |
| LB / L1 | Scroll down | Zoom out |
| RB / R1 | Scroll up | Zoom in |
| X / Square | T | Tech tree (T) |
| Home / PS / Guide | B | Found / build (B) |
Button names follow the Xbox / PlayStation pair shown in the editor, so A / Cross is the bottom face button on either pad. On a Switch Pro Controller the bottom button is labeled B; the mapping still fires on position.
Questions
Does Civilization VII run on a Mac?
Yes, natively, through Steam.
Does Civilization VII on Mac support controllers?
Steam lists full controller support, including DualSense and DualShock. If the game sees your pad, use its own interface. This layout is the mouse interface on a pad, for controllers it does not see and for adaptive setups.
Does Civilization VII have controller support?
Yes. Steam lists full controller support for Civilization VII, so every part of the game can be played on a controller.
Is Civilization VII better with a controller or a keyboard?
Both work. Steam lists full controller support for Civilization VII, so it was made to be played on a controller, and a keyboard and mouse work as well.
Why is my controller not working in Civilization VII on a Mac?
First check the Mac itself sees the controller, with the gamepad tester. If it does and Civilization VII still ignores it, change the game's Steam Input override in its Steam Properties, and if that does not help, activate the Civilization VII layout in InputConfig, which sends the game's keyboard and mouse controls from the controller.
Can I play Civilization VII on an M1 Mac or a MacBook Air?
Civilization VII has a native Mac version, and its minimum requirements are listed on its Steam store page, so check your Mac against that list. I have not tested it on each Mac. The controller layout itself works the same on any Mac that runs InputConfig.
Related
Completely free. You don't have to make an account, there are no subscriptions, and nothing is locked. Optimized for Apple silicon. Open source on GitHub.
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