Understanding the iOS User Interface Design and Functionality

Learn about the most common interface elements on iOS and their functionality for a better and smoother user experience.

iPhone User Interface Elements and Design

Various Horizontal Bars

• Navigation bar: This is the bar at the top (below status bar) that helps you navigate through the different screens on an app, it includes a back button on the right, title in the middle and a certain action button on the right.
• Tab bar: This bar is situated at the bottom of the screen and usually has different icons with text beneath them, this allows you to switch between the different tabs quickly.
• Tool bar: Even though it might look a lot like a tab bar, the tool bar is actually for performing different actions by tapping each one of the icons. 

Action Sheet

An action sheet is a list of options that is represented like an alert, and it requires you  to proceed with whatever action you previously performed, in order to confirm or select a more specific action.

Volume Control

Interactive Controls

• Edit menus: These menus show up when you select text and they give you options including copy, cut, replace .. 
• Pickers: Usually at the bottom of the screen, a picker allows you to select an option from a list by scrolling through.
• Steppers: These have (+) and (-) signs that allow you to adjust a certain value.

Learn about this and more at Apple's official blog.