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.

Learn about designing great app and game experiences

Posts under General subtopic

Post

Replies

Boosts

Views

Activity

iOS 26 Liquid Glass - Without any Blur - Possible?
let glassView = UIVisualEffectView(effect: UIGlassEffect(style: .clear)) glassView.frame = CGRect(x: 100, y: 200, width: 200, height: 400) self.view.addSubview(glassView) Though UIGlassEffect has two variants: .regular and .clear, even the clear one has some blur on the background. Is there a way to do get absolute no blur? Edges still have the glass effect. Apple does this in two places: Camera app: Text magnifier:
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
0
0
702
Oct ’25
NSStatusItem Visibility Issue in AU Audio Plugin - Logic Pro vs Other Hosts
Target: MacOS 11.1 and above C++, Juce 8, XCode 16.2 Testing: Sonoma 14.5 Logic Pro (latest version), Reaper 7.34, Pro Tools 2023.12 and 2025.6 I'm developing an audio plugin that creates an NSStatusItem ("menu bar status icon" or MBSI for short) to provide visual feedback for one of the components. I've encountered a Logic Pro-specific behavior that I'd like to fix. I'm building for Mac-only, Intel and Silicon, and for AU/VST3/AAX. Summary: The NSStatusItem for the MBSI is created successfully and functions properly in some hosts (Reaper (AU and VST3), Pro Tools (AAX)) but isn't visible in Logic Pro, despite identical API behavior. Details: NSStatusItem Creation: implementation using [[NSStatusBar systemStatusBar] statusItemWithLength:NSSquareStatusItemLength] All API calls report success in both working (Reaper) and non-working (Logic Pro) hosts. Logging shows Logic Pro and Reaper create the NSStatusItem with the same properties: Window frame: {{0, -36}, {38, 36}} (both hosts) statusItem.visible: YES (both hosts) Button exists and responds to state changes (both hosts) Y coordinate is -36 pixels (above visible screen, both hosts) In Reaper, I can see the MBSI but in Logic Pro I can't. Note: the MBSI has no functionality beyond visual feedback. It's not clickable nor does it create a corresponding menu. Questions: Are there known differences in how Logic Pro's AU hosting service handles system UI elements compared to other hosts? And if so, is there guidance on AU plugins accessing system UI elements like the menu bar? Link to NSStatusItemTest.component: https://app.box.com/s/i3rq0hii3qf43iojrayc17fsfq7fnssd Link to video showing issue: https://app.box.com/s/icefqk898timqov77t468lqtio0rjqul Link to Console output for testing in Reaper vs Logic Pro: https://app.box.com/s/ph6nv1lmozo3phtjx3md6abdms5atgg6
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
0
0
321
Jul ’25
How to make web shortcut icons mode-adaptive like native app icons?
Hello everyone, I'm very impressed with the Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26, especially how native app icons automatically adapt to the system's display mode (dark or light). This brings me to a question: Is it possible to make a website shortcut icon created via Safari's "Add to Home Screen" feature adapt to Dark Mode in the same way? For native apps, we can use tools like Icon Composer and asset catalogs (Assets.xcassets) to provide different icons for each mode. It would be a huge improvement for web clips if we could achieve the same with existing web technologies like apple-touch-icon or the Web App Manifest. If anyone has figured out a way to do this, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share your knowledge. Thanks in advance! 日本語の原文: iOS 26から導入されたLiquid Glassデザインについて。 ネイティブアプリのアイコンがシステムの表示モード(ダークモード/ライトモード)に合わせて自動で最適化されるようになりました。 そこで疑問に思ったのですが、Safariから「ホーム画面に追加」機能を使って作成するWebサイトのショートカットアイコンは、ネイティブアプリと同じようにダークモードに対応できないのでしょうか? ネイティブアプリの場合は、Icon Composerなどのツールでアセットカタログ(Assets.xcassets)を使い、モードごとのアイコンを用意できますよね。 Web側でも、apple-touch-iconやWeb App Manifestといった既存の仕組みを使って、アイコンを動的に切り替えられるようになると、Webクリップの使い勝手がさらに向上すると思うのですが もし、すでに何らかの方法で対応されている方がいらっしゃれば、ぜひその知見を共有していただけると嬉しいです。
0
0
625
Sep ’25
iOS Screenshot Markup – Rounded Crop Tool (UI Concept)
🔍 Context The built-in screenshot editor in iOS and iPadOS (Markup tool) only allows users to crop images using rectangular frames. While this is sufficient for basic editing, it lacks flexibility for those who wish to tailor the screenshot to the aesthetics of iOS itself — which relies heavily on rounded shapes and smooth UI elements. ⸻ 🚫 Current Limitation • After taking a screenshot and opening it in Markup, users can only crop in rectangular or square formats. • No option is available to apply rounded corners to the crop. • As a result, many users are forced to use third-party apps just to achieve a basic rounded-edge crop, which feels unnecessary for such a common need. ⸻ ✅ Proposed Solution Add a rounded corner cropping feature to the screenshot editor. This could be implemented as: • A toggle to activate “Rounded Crop”. • A radius slider (or predefined corner radius presets). • Optional: an export option to save the result with transparent background, useful for designers and mockups. ⸻ 🎯 Why it matters • Aligns better with the iOS design language (cards, notifications, widgets, etc.). • Saves time for users who currently have to rely on external editing apps. • Greatly improves the presentation of screenshots for social media, UI/UX mockups, blogs, and professional use cases. • Useful across many professions: developers, designers, content creators, educators, marketers. ⸻ 📷 Visual Example Here’s a mockup to illustrate the proposed feature: (Add your image here) ⸻ 💡 Bonus Suggestion Allow exporting with a transparent background when cropping screenshots — especially useful for rounded crops or mockups placed on colored backgrounds.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
1
0
280
Aug ’25
Nearby Accessory
Can the vehicle‑side UWB module, acting as a Nearby Accessory, perform ranging with multiple iOS phones simultaneously while iOS cell uses background ranging with the vehicle‑side UWB (which involves BLE GATT services)? I mean, when the IOS cell works in the background, it will read the nearby gatt characteristic automatically. If there were multiple phones perform ranging with the accessory, the read characteristic from the accessory side, what shall its content be? Or does the accessory only perform ranging with one phone at a time?
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
0
75
5d
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
718
Nov ’25
White border appears during app transition despite full-opacity 1024x1024 icon (SVG and PNG tested)
Hi everyone 👋 I’m a new iOS developer working on my first app and I’ve run into a frustrating visual bug involving my app icon during the launch/close transition. Issue: When I use Icon Composer (the new tool introduced for iOS 26) to generate my app icon, I consistently see a thin white border or “fringe” around the icon only during the transition animation (when the app opens or closes). It disappears once the animation ends. What I tested and confirmed: • I exported the exact same design directly from Adobe Illustrator as a 1024×1024 PNG, fully opaque, RGB color mode, background color filling the entire canvas (no transparency, no borders, no rounded corners). • When I place that exported PNG directly into the AppIcon asset catalog in Xcode, the icon renders perfectly — no white fringe appears, just a slightly darker shade of blue during transitions (expected and acceptable). • But when I generate the icon using Icon Composer, the white edge always appears, even if I disable effects, use full coverage layers, or only keep a flat color layer. Notes: • Tested on iOS 26 (latest beta) using Xcode 16. • The issue seems specific to Icon Composer’s export format or metadata — maybe it’s not stripping alpha correctly or something related to the squircle mask? • I followed all recommended specs: 1024×1024 px, PNG, sRGB, no transparency, exported from Illustrator at 72ppi with solid background. Even tested without the logo, just the icon made with icon composer Is anyone else experiencing this issue with Icon Composer exports? Is there an official recommendation to avoid this during transitions or should I simply avoid Icon Composer for production icons for now and stick with Illustrator / Figma exports? Thanks so much Here’s a visual example:
0
0
294
Aug ’25
Adobe XD throws error when loading UIKit resources Sketch file
Hi there. I want to use Adobe XD for designing and prototyping apps, and I would like to get the UIKit design resources working. I downloaded it and tried to open it with Adobe XD, but it threw this error: There was an error opening the file Apple iOS 26 UI Kit.sketch (Error code: 115) I really prefer to use the UIKit in Adobe XD rather than paying for Figma or Sketch. Thanks. Apple Design Resources
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
1
0
788
Jan ’26
glassEffect() in SwiftUI always renders as white
Hi everyone, I’m having trouble getting the new glassEffect() modifier to render correctly in SwiftUI. No matter what I try, it just appears as a solid white background (instead of translucent glass). This happens both in Beta 1 and Beta 2. My setup: • Mac mini (M4 chip) • macOS 26 Beta 2 (Tahoe) • Xcode 26 Beta 2 • Samsung Odyssey G9 57” monitor (super ultrawide) • Using Preview in SwiftUI, I use IOS 26 Beta 2 (not the Simulator) Even when I use Apple’s default demo code like: Text("Hello World") .padding() .glassEffect()
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
1
0
120
Jul ’25
Ios26 dev beta 7 brightness
Hi, is it me or latest beta has pronlem with brightness? i have iPhone 16 pro, and now i must keep disabled auto brightness , at keep slider more or less at maximum, in order to clearly see the screen. fabrizio
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
0
0
176
Aug ’25
How can this be resolved - load_eligibility_plist: Failed to open //private/var/db/os_eligibility/eligibility.plist: Operation not permitted(1)
I'm programming my constraints in my video game, which is working good so far until I ran into my most important interactive storyboard. I have three buttons that move back and forth on the Y position each time they are hit. The buttons Y positions only change to view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.centerYAnchor, constant: 100 or view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.centerYAnchor, constant: 200 or view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.centerYAnchor, constant: 300 The strange part is the button that is in the Y 100 stays visible and I can hit the button that is in the Y 100. The buttons in the Y 200 and Y 300 positions are visible until after one or two hits, then the button that is in Y 300 position disappears, then after another hit or two the button that is in the Y 200 position disappears but the button that is in the Y 100 is still visible. I cleared all my constraints to narrow it down to clear view of the constraints that is causing the problem. I do not think this Log Noise. Below is the error log: load_eligibility_plist: Failed to open //private/var/db/os_eligibility/eligibility.plist: Operation not permitted(1) 1 Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints. Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. ( "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7610 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 100 (active)>", "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb480 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)>" ) Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb480 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)> Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in <UIKitCore/UIView.h> may also be helpful. Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints. Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. ( "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7750 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 200 (active)>", "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb5c0 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 100 (active)>" ) Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7750 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 200 (active)> Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in <UIKitCore/UIView.h> may also be helpful. Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints. Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. ( "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7890 UIButton:0x10c257c00.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)>", "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb700 UIButton:0x10c257c00.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 200 (active)>" ) Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7890 UIButton:0x10c257c00.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)> Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in <UIKitCore/UIView.h> may also be helpful. 3 Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints. Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. ( "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7610 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 100 (active)>", "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb480 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)>" ) Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb480 UIButton:0x10c257600.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 300 (active)> Make a symbolic breakpoint at UIViewAlertForUnsatisfiableConstraints to catch this in the debugger. The methods in the UIConstraintBasedLayoutDebugging category on UIView listed in <UIKitCore/UIView.h> may also be helpful. Unable to simultaneously satisfy constraints. Probably at least one of the constraints in the following list is one you don't want. Try this: (1) look at each constraint and try to figure out which you don't expect; (2) find the code that added the unwanted constraint or constraints and fix it. ( "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7750 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 200 (active)>", "<NSLayoutConstraint:0x302acb5c0 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 100 (active)>" ) Will attempt to recover by breaking constraint <NSLayoutConstraint:0x302aa7750 UIButton:0x10c257900.centerY == UILayoutGuide:0x3030f0c40'UIViewSafeAreaLayoutGuide'.centerY + 200 (active)>
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
4
0
448
Apr ’25
How to get a truly clear glass effect for a circle
I'm using .glassEffect(.clear) on a transparent circle over a gradient background. While it's closer to clear than the plain glass effect, it't not really clear, like clear glass. Here is the code. Is there a glass effect that really looks like clear glass? Circle() .fill(.clear) .frame(width: 180, height: 180) .glassEffect(.clear)
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
1
0
858
Oct ’25
Swift Playground with C language.
I want to know if the program written in C language can be implemented through the software package, write a software package containing C language on Xcode, and then apply it in Swift Playground.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
0
70
1w
Avoid using a segmented control in a toolbar
Hi, in the Human Interface Guidelines, Apple writes: Avoid using a segmented control in a toolbar. Toolbar items act on the current screen — they don’t let people switch contexts like segmented controls do. Along with this image: Source I'm confused by this example. The screenshot seems to be showing a segmented control in a toolbar. Is this saying that the Phone app's All/Missed toggle is different from a segmented control? Under iOS 26 it seems to take a different style compared to a regular segmented control. If so, which component is used to create this filter? Could you please clarify the guidelines? Thank you.
1
0
379
Sep ’25
Some variable SF Symbols don't work.
Some SF Symbols (wifi for example) render fine with the variable. But many, mostly ones with the circle being variable, do not seem to work. The SF Symbols app shows them rendering with a variable fine. But in code it doesn't work. Am I missing something or is there a reason? var body: some View { HStack { Image(systemName: "01.circle", variableValue: 0.5) Image(systemName: "figure.wave.circle", variableValue: 0.5) Image(systemName: "wifi", variableValue: 0.5) }.font(.largeTitle) } }
Topic: Design SubTopic: General Tags:
0
0
1.2k
Dec ’25
Design Challenges with persistent toast message
I have an ongoing activity in progress. Think of: a delivery in progress house internet reboot in progress some water / electricity / internet / tv outage. (food) order processing I want to show a persistent toast message above the tab bar, across all tabs and screens across the app. It could take 15 minutes until the activity is finished. Obviously there's a challenge of: accessibility content overlaying with each other extra engineering effort. What we've thought of doing is: Option1: show a toast message, but when a modal is presented then it presents on top of the toast message. The toast message no longer updates itself. Once the modal is finished, then the toast message re-appears and continues to update. Option2: keep the toast message across all tabs and modals and work through the challenges mentioned Question: What are some other design approaches that could be taken to persist an ongoing activity (much like 'Live Activity', but just across the app when it's in foreground) or what are some design reasons that the two options considered are bad?
0
0
211
May ’25
Search Function
Dear Developer, Is there a way to create a function to search with inside a text without having to be outside all of the messages? In other words, could I go into one of my contact’s texts and then search specifically inside that message as can be done on Android? This would be such an amazing function And make life so much easier. Thank you.
Topic: Design SubTopic: General
0
0
81
Apr ’25