iOS HIG Reference

Name: ios-hig-reference
Rating: 92
Author: beshkenadze

Quick reference for Apple Human Interface Guidelines (iOS/iPadOS).

When to Use

•Need iOS design guidelines
•Looking up HIG requirements
•Checking Apple design best practices
•Understanding iOS design patterns

Core Principles

Clarity

•Content takes priority
•Legible text at every size
•Precise, purposeful icons
•Subtle, appropriate adornments

Deference

•UI supports content, never competes
•Fluid motion for understanding
•Translucency hints at more content

Depth

•Visual layers convey hierarchy
•Realistic motion creates understanding
•Touch and discoverability through depth

Foundations

Colors

Type	Light	Dark	Usage
systemBackground	White	Black	Primary background
secondarySystemBackground	Gray6	Gray5	Grouped content
label	Black	White	Primary text
secondaryLabel	Gray	Gray	Secondary text
separator	Gray4	Gray4	Dividers
systemBlue	#007AFF	#0A84FF	Links, actions

Typography

Style	Size	Weight	Usage
largeTitle	34pt	Regular	Screen titles
title	28pt	Regular	Section headers
title2	22pt	Regular	Subsections
title3	20pt	Regular	Minor headers
headline	17pt	Semibold	Emphasis
body	17pt	Regular	Main content
callout	16pt	Regular	Secondary info
subheadline	15pt	Regular	Captions
footnote	13pt	Regular	Small text
caption	12pt	Regular	Labels
caption2	11pt	Regular	Tiny labels

Spacing & Layout

•Margins: 16pt (compact), 20pt (regular)
•Content spacing: 8pt (tight), 16pt (standard), 24pt (loose)
•Touch targets: Minimum 44×44pt
•Button spacing: 12-24pt between tappable elements

Components

Navigation

Tab Bar

•2-5 items only
•Primary destinations, not actions
•Icons + labels
•Selected state clearly indicated

Navigation Bar

•Title centered or large
•Back button on left
•Actions on right (max 2-3)

Controls

Buttons

•Filled: Primary actions
•Bordered: Secondary actions
•Plain: Tertiary actions
•Minimum height: 44pt

Text Fields

•Clear button when content present
•Placeholder text for hints
•Appropriate keyboard type
•Secure entry for passwords

Toggles

•Immediate effect (no save needed)
•Green = on, gray = off
•Label describes on-state

Lists

Standard

•Disclosure indicator → navigates to detail
•Checkmark → selection
•Detail disclosure → shows info

Swipe Actions

•Trailing: destructive (delete)
•Leading: constructive (archive, favorite)

Accessibility

Requirements

Feature	Requirement
VoiceOver	Labels for all interactive elements
Dynamic Type	Support 200% text scaling
Color Contrast	4.5:1 (normal), 7:1 (small text)
Motion	Respect reduce motion preference
Touch	44×44pt minimum targets

VoiceOver Labels

swift

// Icon-only button
Button { } label: { Image(systemName: "trash") }
    .accessibilityLabel("Delete")

// Combined elements
HStack { Image(...); Text(...) }
    .accessibilityElement(children: .combine)

// Decorative
Image("decoration")
    .accessibilityHidden(true)

SF Symbols

Rendering Modes

Mode	Usage
Monochrome	Single color, default
Hierarchical	Depth through opacity
Palette	2-3 custom colors
Multicolor	Predefined colors

Common Symbols

Category	Symbols
Navigation	house, magnifyingglass, person, gear
Actions	plus, minus, xmark, checkmark
Status	star, heart, bookmark, bell
Media	play, pause, forward, backward
Editing	pencil, trash, square.and.arrow.up

ios-hig-reference