Apex Drift Guide: Controls for PC and Xbox
About
OverviewApex Drift is a driving game built around realistic drift physics, letting you slide through city streets, carve mountain roads, and race on track. This guide covers the controls, how drifting works, the game modes, and the rank system so you can get up to speed fast.
What is on this page
Contents
Controls for PC and Xbox
Table
Every drift depends on the handbrake, so finding it on your controller before you start saves a lot of frustration. Gear shifts are also manual, meaning you control acceleration and braking speed yourself.
| Handbrake | PC: Shift / Xbox: B |
| Upshift | PC: E / Xbox: RT |
| Downshift | PC: Q / Xbox: LT |
| First Person view | PC: B / Xbox: D-Pad Left |
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How drifting works
Step
Drifting is not just a trick here; it is the core way you are expected to drive. The goal is to balance style and control at the same time.
- Downshift tap Q (PC) or LT (Xbox) to drop a gear and tighten your speed control.
- Hit the handbrake press Shift (PC) or B (Xbox) while steering into the corner to lock the rear wheels and start the slide.
Game modes and ways to play
Check
There are several ways to spend your time in Apex Drift. Up to ten players share a single session.
- Free-roam through the city to practise drifting at your own pace.
- Enter battles against other players to test your skill head-to-head.
- Compete in events and competitions to chase a top placement.
- Join a crew to run corners together and take part in the wider community side of the game.
Rank system and the Legend title
Tips
Your rank reflects how well you perform across battles and competitions. The highest rank you can reach is Legend.
- Winning battles raises your rank directly.
- Your competition results also feed into your rank, so strong finishes outside of direct battles still count.
- The Legend title sits at the top of the rank ladder.
Glossary
Glossary- Handbrake
- A control that locks the rear wheels directly, causing the car to slide — the essential input for starting a drift.
- Downshift
- Dropping to a lower gear to reduce speed and tighten control, done before entering a corner.
- Drift
- A cornering technique where you intentionally slide the car sideways through a turn using the handbrake and steering together.
- Rank
- A measure of your competitive standing that rises when you win battles and place well in competitions.
- Legend
- The highest rank in the game, earned by performing well across battles and competitions.
- Crew
- A group of players who run together and work to control corners as a team.
- JDM build
- A car customised in the style of Japanese automotive culture, which is the defining aesthetic of Apex Drift.
Common questions
FAQHow many players can join one session?
A single session holds up to ten players.
Can I play on Xbox?
Yes, Xbox is supported. The controls are laid out differently from PC — the handbrake is on B and the gear shifts use RT and LT.
Is this game good for beginners?
Yes, because free-roam lets you practise drifting at your own pace, and you can move into battles and competitions when ready.
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