# phase

> Describes the phase of the touch.

## Definition

* **Type:** Property
* **Namespace:** [UnityEngine](/engine/6000.7/script-reference/unityengine.md)
* **Assembly:** UnityEngine.InputLegacyModule

```csharp
public TouchPhase phase { get; set; }
```

### Remarks

The touch `phase` refers to the action the finger has taken on the most recent frame update. Since a touch is tracked over its "lifetime" by the device, the start and end of a touch and movements in between can be reported on the frames they occur. The `phase` property can be used as the basis of a "switch' statement or as part of a more sophisticated state handling system.

### Examples

```csharp
using UnityEngine;
using System.Collections;

public class ExampleClass : MonoBehaviour
{
    public Vector2 startPos;
    public Vector2 direction;
    public bool directionChosen;
    void Update()
    {
        // Track a single touch as a direction control.
        if (Input.touchCount > 0)
        {
            Touch touch = Input.GetTouch(0);

            // Handle finger movements based on touch phase.
            switch (touch.phase)
            {
                // Record initial touch position.
                case TouchPhase.Began:
                    startPos = touch.position;
                    directionChosen = false;
                    break;

                // Determine direction by comparing the current touch position with the initial one.
                case TouchPhase.Moved:
                    direction = touch.position - startPos;
                    break;

                // Report that a direction has been chosen when the finger is lifted.
                case TouchPhase.Ended:
                    directionChosen = true;
                    break;
            }
        }
        if (directionChosen)
        {
            // Something that uses the chosen direction...
        }
    }
}
```