iPhone Human Interface Guidelines
User Experience
2009-03-04
Apple Inc.
© 2009 Apple Inc.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, mechanical,
electronic, photocopying, recording, or
otherwise, without prior written permission of
Apple Inc., with the following exceptions: Any
person is hereby authorized to store
documentation on a single computer for
personal use only and to print copies of
documentation for personal use provided that
the documentation contains Apple’s copyright
notice.
The Apple logo is a trademark of Apple Inc.
Use of the “keyboard” Apple logo
(Option-Shift-K) for commercial purposes
without the prior written consent of Apple may
constitute trademark infringement and unfair
competition in violation of federal and state
laws.
No licenses, express or implied, are granted
with respect to any of the technology described
in this document. Apple retains all intellectual
property rights associated with the technology
described in this document. This document is
intended to assist application developers to
develop applications only for Apple-labeled
computers.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this document is accurate. Apple
is not responsible for typographical errors.
Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
iTunes Music Store is a service mark of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Apple, the Apple logo, iPhoto, iPod, iTunes,
Mac, Mac OS, and Safari are trademarks of
Apple Inc., registered in the United States and
other countries.
iPhone and Multi-Touch are trademarks of
Apple Inc.
Java and all Java-based trademarks are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the U.S. and other
countries.
Simultaneously published in the United States
and Canada.
Even though Apple has reviewed this document,
APPLE MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO
THIS DOCUMENT, ITS QUALITY, ACCURACY,
MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. AS A RESULT, THIS DOCUMENT IS
PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND YOU, THE READER, ARE
ASSUMING THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO ITS QUALITY
AND ACCURACY.
IN NO EVENT WILL APPLE BE LIABLE FOR DIRECT,
INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY
DEFECT OR INACCURACY IN THIS DOCUMENT, even
if advised of the possibility of such damages.
THE WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE
ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHERS, ORAL
OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No Apple
dealer, agent, or employee is authorized to make
any modification, extension, or addition to this
warranty.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation
of implied warranties or liability for incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or
exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives
you specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
Contents
Introduction
Introduction 11
Organization of This Document 11
See Also 11
Part I
Planning Your iPhone Software Product 13
Chapter 1
The iPhone OS Platform: Rich with Possibilities 15
Platform Differences to Keep in Mind 15
Compact Screen Size 15
Memory is Not Unlimited 16
One Screen at a Time 16
One Application at a Time 16
Minimal User Help 17
What Are Your Options? 17
iPhone Applications 17
Web-only Content 17
Hybrid Applications 18
Three Application Styles 18
Productivity Applications 19
Utility Applications 21
Immersive Applications 23
Choosing an Application Style 24
When You Have an Existing Computer Application 25
Case Studies: Bringing a Desktop Application to iPhone OS 25
Mail 25
iPhoto 27
Chapter 2
Human Interface Principles: Creating a Great User Interface 31
Metaphors 31
Direct Manipulation 31
See and Point 32
Feedback 32
User Control 32
Aesthetic Integrity 33
Chapter 3
Designing an iPhone Application: From Product Definition to Branding 35
Create a Product Definition Statement 35
3
2009-03-04 | © 2009 Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Incorporate Characteristics of Great iPhone Applications 36
Build in Simplicity and Ease of Use 36
Focus on the Primary Task 39
Communicate Effectively 40
Support Gestures Appropriately 41
Incorporate Branding Elements Cautiously 43
Chapter 4
Handling Common Tasks 45
Starting 45
Stopping 45
Managing Settings 47
Handling Orientation Changes 47
Using Sound 48
The Ring/Silent Switch—What Users Expect 48
Volume Buttons—What Users Expect 49
Headsets and Headphones—What Users Expect 49
Defining the Audio Behavior of Your Application 49
Putting it All Together 52
Providing Choices 53
Providing a License Agreement 53
Part II
Designing the User Interface of Your iPhone Application 55
Chapter 5
A Brief Tour of the Application User Interface 57
Application Screens and Their Contents 57
Using Views and Controls in Application Screens 59
Chapter 6
Navigation Bars, Tab Bars, Toolbars, and the Status Bar 61
The Status Bar 61
Navigation Bars 62
Toolbars 65
Tab Bars 66
Providing Additional Tabs 67
Badging a Tab in a Tab Bar 68
Chapter 7
Alerts, Action Sheets, and Modal Views 71
Usage and Behavior 71
Using Alerts 72
Using Action Sheets 73
Using Modal Views 73
Designing an Alert 74
4
2009-03-04 | © 2009 Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CONTENTS
Designing an Action Sheet 75
Designing a Modal View 78
Chapter 8
Table Views, Text Views, and Web Views 79
Table Views 79
Usage and Behavior 80
Configuring a Regular Table View 81
Configuring a Grouped Table View 84
Table-View Elements 86
Switch Controls 87
Text Views 88
Web Views 89
Chapter 9
Application Controls 91
Activity Indicators 91
Date and Time Pickers 92
Detail Disclosure Buttons 94
Info Buttons 94
Labels 95
Page Indicators 96
Pickers 98
Progress Views 99
Rounded Rectangle Buttons 100
Search Bars 100
Segmented Controls 102
Sliders 103
Text Fields 104
Chapter 10
System-Provided Buttons and Icons 107
Using System-Provided Buttons and Icons 107
Standard Buttons for Use in Toolbars and Navigation Bars 108
Standard Icons for Use in Tab Bars 110
Standard Buttons for Use in Table Rows and Other User Interface Elements 111
Chapter 11
Creating Custom Icons and Images 113
Application Icons 113
Settings Icons 114
Launch Images 115
Icons for Navigation Bars, Toolbars, and Tab Bars 117
Document Revision History 119
5
2009-03-04 | © 2009 Apple Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CONTENTS