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Human Interface Guidelines › Patterns

Patterns

Get design guidance for supporting common user actions, tasks, and experiences.

A sketch of a bar chart, suggesting data representation. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Charting data
Presenting data in a chart can help you communicate information with clarity and appeal.

A sketch of a person with an overlapping checkmark, suggesting effective collaboration. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Collaboration and sharing
Great collaboration and sharing experiences are simple and responsive, letting people engage with the content while communicating effectively with others.

A sketch of two overlapping squares containing an arrow pointing to the upper-left, suggesting a transition to a new destination. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Drag and drop
Using drag and drop, people can move or duplicate selected photos, text, and other content by dragging the selection from one location to another.

A sketch of a pencil writing within a field, suggesting data entry. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Entering data
When you need information from people, design ways that make it easy for them to provide it without making mistakes.

A sketch of a pointer surrounded by a circular set of short lines, suggesting a response to a mouse click. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Feedback
Feedback helps people know what’s happening, discover what they can do next, understand the results of actions, and avoid mistakes.

A sketch of a document with the upper right corner folded in, suggesting interaction with files. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
File management
Some apps can support documents and files that people expect to manage throughout the system.

A sketch of two outward-pointing arrows arranged in a vertical line extending from the upper-left to the bottom-right, suggesting expansion. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Going full screen
iPhone, iPad, and Mac offer full-screen modes that let people expand a window to fill the screen, hiding system controls and providing a distraction-free environment.

A sketch of a square containing an arrow pointing to the upper-right corner, suggesting a transition to a new state. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Launching
A streamlined launch experience helps people start using your app or game immediately.

A sketch of a television containing a play button, suggesting playback of media. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Live-viewing apps
As you design a live-viewing app, prioritize the content and create fun, fluid interactions that encourage immersion in the live-viewing experience.

A sketch of a spinning indeterminate activity indicator, suggesting data loading. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Loading
The best content-loading experience finishes before people become aware of it.

A sketch of a person, suggesting personal information. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Managing accounts
When it doesn’t create an unnecessary barrier to your experience, an account can be a convenient way for people to access their content and track personal details.

A sketch of bell with a small overlapping circle, suggesting a notification sound. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Managing notifications
Notifications can give people timely and important information, whether the device is locked or in use.

A sketch of an active window above an inactive window, suggesting focus on the frontmost window. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Modality
Modality is a design technique that presents content in a separate, dedicated mode that prevents interaction with the parent view and requires an explicit action to dismiss.

A sketch of two side-by-side windows in a split view arrangement, suggesting multitasking. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Multitasking
Multitasking lets people switch quickly from one app to another, performing tasks in each.

A sketch of a question mark, suggesting help is available. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Offering help
Although the most effective experiences are approachable and intuitive, you can provide contextual help when necessary.

A sketch of a waving hand, suggesting a gesture of welcoming. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Onboarding
Onboarding can help people get a quick start using your app or game.

A sketch of a speaker emitting sound waves, suggesting the playback of audio. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Playing audio
People expect rich audio experiences that automatically adjust when the context changes on the device.

A sketch of a horizontal line of three slightly overlapping circles, suggesting vibration. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Playing haptics
Playing haptics can engage people’s sense of touch and bring their familiarity with the physical world into your app or game.

A sketch of a play button, suggesting video playback. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Playing video
People expect to enjoy rich video experiences on their devices, regardless of the app or game they’re using.

A sketch of a printer, suggesting printing. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Printing
An iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or visionOS app can integrate system-provided print functionality when it makes sense, presenting custom printer- and document-specific options if necessary.

A sketch of a half-filled star, suggesting a favorability rating. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Ratings and reviews
People often view the ratings and reviews for an app or game before they download it.

A sketch of a magnifying glass, suggesting the search for information. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Searching
People use various search techniques to find content on their device, within an app, and within a document or file.

A sketch of a gear, suggesting configuration. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Settings
People expect apps and games to just work, but they also appreciate having ways to customize the experience to fit their needs.

A sketch of an arrow that starts right, curves upward, and points to the left, suggesting a return to the start. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Undo and redo
Undo and redo gives people easy ways to reverse many types of actions, which can also help people explore and experiment safely as they learn a new interface or task.

A sketch of a person running, suggesting exercise. The image is tinted orange to subtly reflect the orange in the original six-color Apple logo.
Workouts
A great workout or fitness experience encourages people to engage with their current activity and helps them track their progress on their devices.

Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/patterns

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