Explore the art and science of app design. Discuss user interface (UI) design principles, user experience (UX) best practices, and share design resources and inspiration.

All subtopics
Posts under Design topic

Post

Replies

Boosts

Views

Activity

macOS Tahoe generates low resolution wallpapers on certain Mac models
Dear Apple, please make sure this bug gets delivered to whoever is responsible. That's all I ask. Please don't let it sit for months unassigned. This is, by far, the worst bug I've ever found with the macOS wallpaper system. FB21532401 If you own a 13" 2020 or newer MacBook pro model, set to the default resolution, and are running macOS Tahoe, macOS will significantly degrade the quality of any image set as wallpaper. When a still image is set as the wallpaper on macOS Tahoe, on some display configurations, the systems downscales the image to an incorrect size, resulting in pixelated wallpaper. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that macOS Wallpaper Agent appears to be using a less than ideal downscaling algorithm, which results in Super Mario Bros’ type pixelation (nearest neighbor) as opposed to any other reasonable modern method (like bicubic.) The issue does not repro on macOS Sequoia. Every model MacBook we’ve tested offers some resolutions with some form of this problem, but the 13” is the only one where it is notably awful. The most evident default case of this is the 13” MacBook Pro models with a 2560x1600 physical display (for example, 2020 MacBook Pro 13” (17,1.)) These models have a physical display resolution of 2560x1600, and a default scaled resolution of 1440x900. The relationship between the physical resolution and scaled resolution is not an even ratio (1:1 or 2:1), which seems to be the common condition under which this issue occurs. Repro steps: Set the systems display resolution to the default resolution - ideally on the model described above (see details on this below) Set a high resolution image (in this example 5120x2880) as the system wallpaper using any method Results: On the model described above, Wallpaper Agent will generate and display a 1440x810 image as the wallpaper. It should be generating and displaying at a minimum of 2560x1600, or more appropriately at 2880x1800 which is the proper 2X resolution. This can be confirmed by viewing the properties of the generated images in the macOS wallpaper cache here: ~/Library/containers/com.apple.wallpaper.agent/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.wallpaper.caches/extension-com.apple.wallpaper.extension.image On modern Apple systems, the only situation in which the wallpaper should be generated at 1X is when the physical resolution and set resolution are 1:1. In any situation where the physical resolution is larger than the set resolution, the image should be generated at 2X the set resolution. As far as we can tell, this issue impacts any format, and any resolution of image, and occurs independent of the set image resolution.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
1
342
Jan ’26
Greyed out app icon on iOS 26 beta
On iOS 26 beta 3, my app and some other apps got greyed out app icon. It only happens in Default (Light) appearance. Apple automatically converts third-party app icons to support Liquid Glass, but is there any specific requirement with third-party icons to avoid above greyed out app icon issue?
0
1
704
Jan ’26
Few screen tap feedback ideas (and implementation YouTube video)
I've been playing around with iPad PRO M5 13" as part of my goal to implement some music relating SPH particle simulation effects on it - and this involves utilizing tap events also from the incredible looking fresh screen the device has. See more information from here, all should be overreactively implemented but the ideas remain (with almost zero cost copy fragment shader) : `https://youtu.be/ci-GSgQ0wlM` This attached image shows the tap effects implementation brought just bit a little further than in the video.
1
0
1.2k
Dec ’25
Allow mildly translucent values for iPadOS app .png icons
I've been playing around with the recently published iPad PRO M5 13" and it's awesome in most ways I've been able to think of. But this video capture of the app I'm developing, for example, lacks it the app icon "should" be just slightly translucent as I see it. https://youtube.com/CAukICBrVzw However I'm not and UI/X person and this is primarily my personal preference only for an option to allow for devs.
1
0
1.1k
Dec ’25
iOS 26 UI transparency causes readability and accessibility issues
This issue affects core system UI elements such as Control Center, notifications, and system apps. In iOS 26, the Liquid Glass UI introduces excessive transparency and blur across the system. This significantly reduces text readability, lowers contrast, and causes visual fatigue during prolonged use. There is currently no true option to fully disable Liquid Glass effects. Existing accessibility settings only partially mitigate the issue and do not restore a solid, high-contrast interface similar to iOS 18. Please consider adding a system-wide toggle to completely disable Liquid Glass and transparency effects, or provide a solid UI mode for users who prioritize readability and visual comfort. This is especially important for accessibility, as the current design negatively impacts users sensitive to eye strain and low contrast.
1
0
943
Dec ’25
Window Title Justification OS 26 Tahoe
I am working on a Mac App that was developed with Objective C and Interface Builder. In earlier versions of Mac OS the window title was centered. Now in Tahoe it's left-justified. Is there some way to set this? There is no setting for this in Interface Builder and I can't see any way to do it programmatically by reading the developer documentation. Is this even possible?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
2
0
911
Dec ’25
iOS26 CarPlay not optimized for Subaru 11.6 inch vertical in infotainment screen
The newest iOS 26 CarPlay upgrade seems more like a downgrade with vehicles from Subaru with the 11.6 inch vertical infotainment display. Such a big screen, but only one widget shows at a time additionally, prior to this iOS update we had three lines of apps on the main page now only two. also to be noted album art size on all music streaming and podcast apps is extremely small about half the size of what it originally was prior to this update yes, I tried turning on and off the screen optimization setting and CarPlay. It did not do anything.
1
2
1.7k
Dec ’25
How does Apple achieve this effect?
Hi everyone, I'm new to building apps on Swift and recently I've been wondering how does Apple get this blur effect behind the control center on Mac OS Tahoe. I think it would be nice to use in an app that I'm making but I can't seem to find it in the docs. Is it available through AppKit? I would appreciate some help on this
0
0
636
Dec ’25
NFC Bottomsheet customization
Hi all, I wanted to check whether the NFC bottom-sheet UI shown by iOS during an NFC reading session can be customized. We have a Figma design (attached) for how the sheet should look, but we are not sure whether iOS allows modifying the default NFC UI. Is UI customization supported, or is the bottom sheet fully controlled by the system? Thanks in advance.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
1
0
538
Dec ’25
Network access has changed
I had, a long time ago (over 10 years) developed an application that is connected to my UPS (for solar panels). Until yet it worked very well, and I didnot have to compute more than making updates of XCode. That was all. But yet I have swiched to the latest value of switch, and it continue to compile, but it does'not work. I am asking to yo in order keeping my app working as previously. As it does not work, which library is replacing Cloudkit.framework ? and which library is replacing InsPersistantContainer.framework ? Have a good day Guy Desbief
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
0
602
Dec ’25
SwiftUI Logo
I see the logo all over the internet, but the only Official logo I can find is the swift logo, the orange one, but the blue one I do not see a place to download it nor the usage guidelines. I have seen it on various Icon site like Icon8. I would like to use it on my reddit forum that is dedicated to SwiftUI but I want to be legal. Is it allowed to use and if so, where can you download the official verison?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
0
0
727
Nov ’25
The airdrop was sent to the wrong device. Will modifying the interface in this way reduce the error
I have many Apple devices, such as macbook, iPad and iPhone. It's very convenient for me to transfer files between devices. However, when I want to send files to my own device in public places, I often click on the wrong recipient because the list avatar keeps changing. I hope the list of recipients can be grouped One group is my own device (or the one I often send to), and the other group is other devices. When the user is about to send, the mouse will be in a relatively fixed and mentally expected area. I feel that this can reduce the probability of sending wrongly
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
3
0
691
Nov ’25
Display problem with keyboard in iOS 26
The problem is the same in all of my applications. To reproduce it, in iOS 26, set the dark mode in the Brightness and display settings and in Accessibility, Display and text size, activate Increase contrast and bold text. With these settings, all the controls will be surrounded by a thin white line. When in the app a keyboard is dispayed, the thin white line does not appears correctly around the keyboard like in the capture joined, it is present on top and partially on bottom but not on sides
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
1
0
1.8k
Nov ’25
Modal Shadows - In App Purchases (macOS)
Hey, everyone. I'm having an issue with my modal shadows when building for macOS. I've attached an image to show you what's going on. I have a rounded corner window, and when the In-App Purchase overlay opens, the modal shadow of that rounded window is square (which doesn't make sense, and looks bad). Can somebody please help me address this? I've tried searching high and low for a solution but I can't find anything :-( I really appreciate you taking a look! -Logan
1
0
1.7k
Nov ’25
Shadow on top of Vision OS icon
Hi guys, I've exported the images with transparency for a Vision OS icon but I still keep getting a weird shadow on the top of the icon when I focus on it. Do you guys had this issue before?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
1
1.6k
Nov ’25
Layer to SVG script
In the video ”Create Icons with Icon Composer”, the presenter mentions that Apple has created a layer-to-SVG script for Illustrator that‘s available for download: Once the artwork is in a good place, next we want to export the layers as SVGs. For every tool, this can look a bit different. For those using Illustrator, we've created a layer to SVG script that will automate this for you, which you can download. Exporting out the canvas size ensures everything drops right into position in Icon Composer. Here‘s the link to the mention: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/361/?time=377 I can’t find any place to get this script, and my designer is very interested in using it to import our Illustrator icon into Icon Composer. Can someone point me to it?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
1
3
1.3k
Nov ’25
macOS Tahoe generates low resolution wallpapers on certain Mac models
Dear Apple, please make sure this bug gets delivered to whoever is responsible. That's all I ask. Please don't let it sit for months unassigned. This is, by far, the worst bug I've ever found with the macOS wallpaper system. FB21532401 If you own a 13" 2020 or newer MacBook pro model, set to the default resolution, and are running macOS Tahoe, macOS will significantly degrade the quality of any image set as wallpaper. When a still image is set as the wallpaper on macOS Tahoe, on some display configurations, the systems downscales the image to an incorrect size, resulting in pixelated wallpaper. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that macOS Wallpaper Agent appears to be using a less than ideal downscaling algorithm, which results in Super Mario Bros’ type pixelation (nearest neighbor) as opposed to any other reasonable modern method (like bicubic.) The issue does not repro on macOS Sequoia. Every model MacBook we’ve tested offers some resolutions with some form of this problem, but the 13” is the only one where it is notably awful. The most evident default case of this is the 13” MacBook Pro models with a 2560x1600 physical display (for example, 2020 MacBook Pro 13” (17,1.)) These models have a physical display resolution of 2560x1600, and a default scaled resolution of 1440x900. The relationship between the physical resolution and scaled resolution is not an even ratio (1:1 or 2:1), which seems to be the common condition under which this issue occurs. Repro steps: Set the systems display resolution to the default resolution - ideally on the model described above (see details on this below) Set a high resolution image (in this example 5120x2880) as the system wallpaper using any method Results: On the model described above, Wallpaper Agent will generate and display a 1440x810 image as the wallpaper. It should be generating and displaying at a minimum of 2560x1600, or more appropriately at 2880x1800 which is the proper 2X resolution. This can be confirmed by viewing the properties of the generated images in the macOS wallpaper cache here: ~/Library/containers/com.apple.wallpaper.agent/Data/Library/Caches/com.apple.wallpaper.caches/extension-com.apple.wallpaper.extension.image On modern Apple systems, the only situation in which the wallpaper should be generated at 1X is when the physical resolution and set resolution are 1:1. In any situation where the physical resolution is larger than the set resolution, the image should be generated at 2X the set resolution. As far as we can tell, this issue impacts any format, and any resolution of image, and occurs independent of the set image resolution.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
0
Boosts
1
Views
342
Activity
Jan ’26
Greyed out app icon on iOS 26 beta
On iOS 26 beta 3, my app and some other apps got greyed out app icon. It only happens in Default (Light) appearance. Apple automatically converts third-party app icons to support Liquid Glass, but is there any specific requirement with third-party icons to avoid above greyed out app icon issue?
Replies
0
Boosts
1
Views
704
Activity
Jan ’26
Few screen tap feedback ideas (and implementation YouTube video)
I've been playing around with iPad PRO M5 13" as part of my goal to implement some music relating SPH particle simulation effects on it - and this involves utilizing tap events also from the incredible looking fresh screen the device has. See more information from here, all should be overreactively implemented but the ideas remain (with almost zero cost copy fragment shader) : `https://youtu.be/ci-GSgQ0wlM` This attached image shows the tap effects implementation brought just bit a little further than in the video.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.2k
Activity
Dec ’25
Allow mildly translucent values for iPadOS app .png icons
I've been playing around with the recently published iPad PRO M5 13" and it's awesome in most ways I've been able to think of. But this video capture of the app I'm developing, for example, lacks it the app icon "should" be just slightly translucent as I see it. https://youtube.com/CAukICBrVzw However I'm not and UI/X person and this is primarily my personal preference only for an option to allow for devs.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.1k
Activity
Dec ’25
iOS 26 UI transparency causes readability and accessibility issues
This issue affects core system UI elements such as Control Center, notifications, and system apps. In iOS 26, the Liquid Glass UI introduces excessive transparency and blur across the system. This significantly reduces text readability, lowers contrast, and causes visual fatigue during prolonged use. There is currently no true option to fully disable Liquid Glass effects. Existing accessibility settings only partially mitigate the issue and do not restore a solid, high-contrast interface similar to iOS 18. Please consider adding a system-wide toggle to completely disable Liquid Glass and transparency effects, or provide a solid UI mode for users who prioritize readability and visual comfort. This is especially important for accessibility, as the current design negatively impacts users sensitive to eye strain and low contrast.
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
943
Activity
Dec ’25
Window Title Justification OS 26 Tahoe
I am working on a Mac App that was developed with Objective C and Interface Builder. In earlier versions of Mac OS the window title was centered. Now in Tahoe it's left-justified. Is there some way to set this? There is no setting for this in Interface Builder and I can't see any way to do it programmatically by reading the developer documentation. Is this even possible?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
Replies
2
Boosts
0
Views
911
Activity
Dec ’25
iOS26 CarPlay not optimized for Subaru 11.6 inch vertical in infotainment screen
The newest iOS 26 CarPlay upgrade seems more like a downgrade with vehicles from Subaru with the 11.6 inch vertical infotainment display. Such a big screen, but only one widget shows at a time additionally, prior to this iOS update we had three lines of apps on the main page now only two. also to be noted album art size on all music streaming and podcast apps is extremely small about half the size of what it originally was prior to this update yes, I tried turning on and off the screen optimization setting and CarPlay. It did not do anything.
Replies
1
Boosts
2
Views
1.7k
Activity
Dec ’25
How does Apple achieve this effect?
Hi everyone, I'm new to building apps on Swift and recently I've been wondering how does Apple get this blur effect behind the control center on Mac OS Tahoe. I think it would be nice to use in an app that I'm making but I can't seem to find it in the docs. Is it available through AppKit? I would appreciate some help on this
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
636
Activity
Dec ’25
NFC Bottomsheet customization
Hi all, I wanted to check whether the NFC bottom-sheet UI shown by iOS during an NFC reading session can be customized. We have a Figma design (attached) for how the sheet should look, but we are not sure whether iOS allows modifying the default NFC UI. Is UI customization supported, or is the bottom sheet fully controlled by the system? Thanks in advance.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
538
Activity
Dec ’25
Network access has changed
I had, a long time ago (over 10 years) developed an application that is connected to my UPS (for solar panels). Until yet it worked very well, and I didnot have to compute more than making updates of XCode. That was all. But yet I have swiched to the latest value of switch, and it continue to compile, but it does'not work. I am asking to yo in order keeping my app working as previously. As it does not work, which library is replacing Cloudkit.framework ? and which library is replacing InsPersistantContainer.framework ? Have a good day Guy Desbief
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
602
Activity
Dec ’25
The new appearance system
Not sure if anyone else has this issue, however with the new appearances when i use the dark appearance and then open the app "TickTick", the icon goes to its original colour until the app is closed.
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
966
Activity
Dec ’25
SwiftUI Logo
I see the logo all over the internet, but the only Official logo I can find is the swift logo, the orange one, but the blue one I do not see a place to download it nor the usage guidelines. I have seen it on various Icon site like Icon8. I would like to use it on my reddit forum that is dedicated to SwiftUI but I want to be legal. Is it allowed to use and if so, where can you download the official verison?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
727
Activity
Nov ’25
The airdrop was sent to the wrong device. Will modifying the interface in this way reduce the error
I have many Apple devices, such as macbook, iPad and iPhone. It's very convenient for me to transfer files between devices. However, when I want to send files to my own device in public places, I often click on the wrong recipient because the list avatar keeps changing. I hope the list of recipients can be grouped One group is my own device (or the one I often send to), and the other group is other devices. When the user is about to send, the mouse will be in a relatively fixed and mentally expected area. I feel that this can reduce the probability of sending wrongly
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
3
Boosts
0
Views
691
Activity
Nov ’25
Display problem with keyboard in iOS 26
The problem is the same in all of my applications. To reproduce it, in iOS 26, set the dark mode in the Brightness and display settings and in Accessibility, Display and text size, activate Increase contrast and bold text. With these settings, all the controls will be surrounded by a thin white line. When in the app a keyboard is dispayed, the thin white line does not appears correctly around the keyboard like in the capture joined, it is present on top and partially on bottom but not on sides
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.8k
Activity
Nov ’25
HDR app icon support
Does iOS 26 support HDR images for app icons to be rendered in High Dynamic Range for Springboard or not?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
192
Activity
Nov ’25
Can I use apple.logo placed on the top of apple sign in related view?
I placed apple.logo symbol image on the top of a view. This view is used to link or unlink Apple ID for user. In the middle is the apple sign in button. I want to use something to describe or represent what the view is, instead of using text description. so I think sign in's company logo is a good choice. Is it allowed by apple official?
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.1k
Activity
Nov ’25
Modal Shadows - In App Purchases (macOS)
Hey, everyone. I'm having an issue with my modal shadows when building for macOS. I've attached an image to show you what's going on. I have a rounded corner window, and when the In-App Purchase overlay opens, the modal shadow of that rounded window is square (which doesn't make sense, and looks bad). Can somebody please help me address this? I've tried searching high and low for a solution but I can't find anything :-( I really appreciate you taking a look! -Logan
Replies
1
Boosts
0
Views
1.7k
Activity
Nov ’25
Shadow on top of Vision OS icon
Hi guys, I've exported the images with transparency for a Vision OS icon but I still keep getting a weird shadow on the top of the icon when I focus on it. Do you guys had this issue before?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
0
Boosts
1
Views
1.6k
Activity
Nov ’25
Shadow on top of a Vision OS icon
Hi guys, I've exported pngs for the middle and front images of an icon but I still se this weird shadow on top of the icon. Do anyone knows how to solve this?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
0
Boosts
0
Views
1.4k
Activity
Nov ’25
Layer to SVG script
In the video ”Create Icons with Icon Composer”, the presenter mentions that Apple has created a layer-to-SVG script for Illustrator that‘s available for download: Once the artwork is in a good place, next we want to export the layers as SVGs. For every tool, this can look a bit different. For those using Illustrator, we've created a layer to SVG script that will automate this for you, which you can download. Exporting out the canvas size ensures everything drops right into position in Icon Composer. Here‘s the link to the mention: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2025/361/?time=377 I can’t find any place to get this script, and my designer is very interested in using it to import our Illustrator icon into Icon Composer. Can someone point me to it?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
Replies
1
Boosts
3
Views
1.3k
Activity
Nov ’25