---
title: Controls and gestures
description: Configure the mpvRx player surface, gestures, orientation, background playback, and precision controls.
---

mpvRx separates the playback surface into configurable control zones. Portrait and landscape layouts can differ, so frequently used actions stay reachable in either orientation.

## Control layout

The player exposes top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right, and portrait-bottom areas. Available actions include track selection, Cast, mirror and vertical flip, A-B loop, custom skip, ambient mode, background playback, screenshots, and custom buttons.

Use the centralized **More** sheet for occasional actions instead of crowding every control zone.

## Gestures

| Gesture | Typical use |
| --- | --- |
| Single tap | Show or hide playback controls. |
| Double or repeated tap | Seek in configured left, center, or right zones. |
| Horizontal swipe | Seek with a live target-time and delta overlay. |
| Vertical swipe | Adjust brightness or volume; the two sides can be swapped. |
| Long press | Apply a temporary speed boost, with horizontal adjustment across presets. |
| Pinch | Zoom and pan video, or resize subtitle text when the subtitle gesture is active. |
| Subtitle drag | Move active subtitles vertically. |

Gesture actions and seek increments are configurable. If interactions feel unpredictable, reset the affected gesture before changing sensitivity or adding overlapping actions.

## Locked controls

When controls are locked, use the visible unlock button. A first Back press shows an unlock reminder; a second quick Back press unlocks the controls.

## Precision tools

Frame review, A-B loops, chapters, skip segments, snapshots, and the sleep timer
are covered in [Precision playback tools](/docs/playback/precision-playback-tools).

## Orientation and background behavior

See [Orientation, background playback, and PiP](/docs/playback/orientation-background-and-pip)
for the eight orientation modes, per-video memory, mini-player behavior,
notification controls, and Android handoff rules.