<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 2.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 2.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "tvOS: -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "UIKit",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/UIKit/UITextField/leftView",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "UIKit"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)UITextField(py)leftView"
  },
  "title" : "leftView"
}
-->

# leftView

The overlay view that displays on the left (or leading) side of the text field.

```
var leftView: UIView? { get set }
```

## Discussion

You can use the left overlay view to indicate the intended behavior of the text field. For example, you might display a magnifying glass in this location to indicate that the text field is a search field. The left overlay view flips automatically in a right-to-left user interface.

The left overlay view is placed in the rectangle returned by the [`leftViewRect(forBounds:)`](/documentation/UIKit/UITextField/leftViewRect(forBounds:)) method of the receiver. The image associated with this property should fit the given rectangle. If it does not fit, it is scaled to fit. If you specify a control for your view, the control tracks and sends actions as usual.

## See Also

[`-  leftViewRectForBounds:`](/documentation/UIKit/UITextField/leftViewRect(forBounds:))

Returns the drawing rectangle of the text field’s left overlay view.


---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)