Tab opens the PDA
The first PDA tabs are Inventory, Blueprints, Signals, Logs, Databank, and Adaptations.
Controls
Subnautica 2 Controls
Keyboard, mouse, hotbar, PDA, Xbox controller, Steam Input, and remapping notes. The first keys that matter are simple: Tab opens the PDA, left mouse uses prompts, hold Space rises in water, and 1-5 select the hotbar slots.
In short. Start with WASD or arrow keys, mouse aim, left-click prompts, Tab for PDA, hold Space to swim up, and 1-5 for the five quick slots.
Last reviewed 2026-06-06. Recheck exact binds after Early Access patches.
Prologue controls first
Left mouse handles prompts
NOA, the O2 restore point, the Aid Kit, Water, biological bed, and the red release devices all use prompt interaction.
Hold Space to rise in water
This is the key that saves the first dive when your angle is wrong and O2 is draining.
Hotbar keys are 1-5
The five bottom circles match number keys 1 through 5. Drag the Aid Kit there from Inventory if you want it ready.
Keyboard and mouse
| Action | Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Move | W A S D / Arrow Keys | Confirmed in the prologue for basic movement. |
| Look / aim prompts | Mouse | Use the mouse to aim at NOA, supplies, the biological bed, and release devices. |
| Interact with prompt | Left Mouse | Used for NOA, Aid Kit, Water, O2 restore, biological bed, and red release devices in the opening route. |
| Open PDA | Tab | Opens Inventory, Blueprints, Signals, Logs, Databank, and Adaptations in the prologue. |
| Swim up | Hold Space | Rises in water. This is the fast correction when O2 is low. |
| Quick slots | 1 - 5 | Matches the five bottom hotbar circles. The Aid Kit can be dragged here from Inventory. |
| Pause / settings | Esc | Use this for menus and control checks. |
| Swim down / crouch | C or Ctrl | Check the current Controls menu before relying on a fixed descend bind. |
| Sprint / boost | Shift | Check the current Controls menu; the prologue route itself teaches movement more than speed. |
| Use tool / primary action | Left Mouse | Tool use may share the same primary input as prompt interaction. |
| Secondary action | Right Mouse | Context-specific and tool-specific. Confirm per item after the prologue. |
| Map / signal pings | M | Subnautica 2 map and signal behavior belongs to current-build checks after the opening route. |
| Voice chat push-to-talk | V or T | Co-op only. Confirm the active bind before hosting a long session. |
Xbox controller and Steam Input
Move
Left Stick
Look
Right Stick
Swim up / jump
A
Swim down / crouch
B
Sprint / boost
Left Stick (click)
Interact
X
Inventory / PDA
Y
Quick slot left / right
LB / RB
Primary action
RT
Secondary action
LT
Pause menu
Menu (start) button
Map / world view
View (back) button
- Steam Input is on by default for Subnautica 2 if you launch through Steam with a controller connected. The official Xbox layout is the baseline.
- Community-built configurations appear on the controller config screen within Steam. Useful if you want gyro aiming, custom touchpads, or DualSense-style layouts.
- For Steam Deck, the default layout is the Xbox controller mapping plus Deck-specific touchpad shortcuts. A right-touchpad mouse can help with PDA and menu navigation.
- If Steam Input fights with the game, change Properties -> Controller for Subnautica 2 only.
Remapping tips
- Left-handed players can start by moving WASD to ESDF or arrow keys, then checking whether 1-5 still feel reachable for hotbar use.
- For long swim sessions, consider toggle options for sprint or boost if the current build exposes them.
- Do not change too many keys before the prologue. Finish the NOA and PDA route once, then remap from real friction.
- For co-op, pick a push-to-talk key that does not overlap with combat, scanning, PDA use, or hotbar selection.
Questions people ask
What are the default keyboard controls for Subnautica 2?
For the opening route on PC keyboard and mouse: WASD or arrow keys move, the mouse aims, left mouse interacts with prompts, Tab opens the PDA, hold Space rises in water, and 1-5 select the five hotbar slots. Check the Controls menu for descend, sprint, scanner, and later tool-specific binds.
How do I open the PDA in Subnautica 2?
Press Tab on PC. In the prologue, the PDA shows Inventory, Blueprints, Signals, Logs, Databank, and Adaptations.
How do I swim up in Subnautica 2?
Hold Space on PC keyboard. This matters in the first underwater route because O2 drains constantly while you are underwater.
How do hotbar slots work?
The five bottom hotbar circles map to number keys 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. In the prologue, the Aid Kit can be dragged from Inventory into one of those slots.
Does Subnautica 2 support Xbox controllers on PC?
Xbox controllers work through the normal PC and Steam Input routes. Button prompts and exact menu flow should still be checked in the current build before a long save.
Does Subnautica 2 support mouse and keyboard on Xbox?
Xbox mouse-and-keyboard support should be checked on the console build. Until the active console menu confirms it, assume an Xbox controller is the supported default on Xbox Series X|S.
Can I remap controls?
Use the in-game Controls menu first. Remap after the prologue if possible, because the opening route quickly shows which keys you actually press: Tab, left mouse, Space, movement, and 1-5.
Related
Controls make the most sense inside the opening route and first-hour plan.
Prologue Walkthrough
PDA, NOA, O2, hotbar, first dive, biological bed, black box, and Launch.
First Hour Guide
What to do after Launch and the opening route.
Oxygen & Depth
O2 habits, depth planning, and safer underwater routes.
Multiplayer
Co-op session basics, voice chat options, and 4-player coordination.