What’s New in iOS Design

Dark Mode

• all apps should support Dark Mode

• adopt iOS design system to maintain familarity, provide platform consistency, convey clear information hierarchy

• always use semantic colors like backgroundColor, highlightColor, … instead of red, green, …

• color hierarchy: Title > Subtitle > Placeholder > Disabled Text

• color hierarchy naming: background, secondaryBackground, tertiaryBackground, quaternaryBackground, …

• don't just use color inversion between light/dark mode

• avoid alpha values since it might look broken when different colors overlap

• check colors with online contrast calculator should give 4.5…1 or higher

• layered interfaces should use drop shadow in light / elevated bg color in dark mode

• all controls are drawn with semantic colors - perfectly blend between light/dark

Card Style modal presentation style

• default - opt-out by viewController.modalPresentationStyle = .fullScreen

• pull-down to dismiss (can be prevented when there is a mandatory decision in the modal)

• Modals are for switching modes. Don’t use them because you like the animation

Contextual Menus

• activate by tap & hold

• puts the focus on actions not on the preview (like peek & pop)

• available on any device since it doesn’t rely on force touch

• consist on a list of actions and an optional previews

• all actions should be available somewhere else in the UI. Don’t rely on the fact that users discover your menu.