iOS Application Development Guide

A practical guide for building iOS applications using UIKit, SnapKit, and SwiftUI. Focuses on proven patterns and Apple platform conventions.

Quick Reference

UIKit

SwiftUI

Core Principles

Layout

• Touch targets >= 44pt
• Content within safe areas (SwiftUI respects by default, use .ignoresSafeArea() only for backgrounds)
• Use 8pt spacing increments (8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48)
• Primary actions in thumb zone
• Support all screen sizes (iPhone SE 375pt to Pro Max 430pt)

Typography

• UIKit: preferredFont(forTextStyle:) + adjustsFontForContentSizeCategory = true
• SwiftUI: semantic text styles .headline, .body, .caption
• Custom fonts: UIFontMetrics / Font.custom(_:size:relativeTo:)
• Adapt layout at accessibility sizes (minimum 11pt)

Colors

• Use semantic system colors (.systemBackground, .label, .primary, .secondary)
• Asset catalog variants for custom colors (Any/Dark Appearance)
• No color-only information (pair with icons or text)
• Contrast ratio >= 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text

Accessibility

• Labels on icon buttons (.accessibilityLabel())
• Reduce motion respected (@Environment(\.accessibilityReduceMotion))
• Logical reading order (.accessibilitySortPriority())
• Support Bold Text, Increase Contrast preferences

Navigation

• Tab bar (3-5 sections) stays visible during navigation
• Back swipe works (never override system gestures)
• State preserved across tabs (@SceneStorage, @State)
• Never use hamburger menus

Privacy & Permissions

• Request permissions in context (not at launch)
• Custom explanation before system dialog
• Support Sign in with Apple
• Respect ATT denial

Checklist

Layout

• Touch targets >= 44pt
• Content within safe areas
• Primary actions in thumb zone (bottom half)
• Flexible widths for all screen sizes (SE to Pro Max)
• Spacing aligns to 8pt grid

Typography

• Semantic text styles or UIFontMetrics-scaled custom fonts
• Dynamic Type supported up to accessibility sizes
• Layouts reflow at large sizes (no truncation)
• Minimum text size 11pt

Colors

• Semantic system colors or light/dark asset variants
• Dark Mode is intentional (not just inverted)
• No color-only information
• Text contrast >= 4.5:1 (normal) / 3:1 (large)
• Single accent color for interactive elements

Accessibility

• VoiceOver labels on all interactive elements
• Logical reading order
• Bold Text preference respected
• Reduce Motion disables decorative animations
• All gestures have alternative access paths

Navigation

• Tab bar for 3-5 top-level sections
• No hamburger/drawer menus
• Tab bar stays visible during navigation
• Back swipe works throughout
• State preserved across tabs

Components

• Alerts for critical decisions only
• Sheets have dismiss path (button and/or swipe)
• List rows >= 44pt tall
• Destructive buttons use .destructive role

Privacy

• Permissions requested in context (not at launch)
• Custom explanation before system permission dialog
• Sign in with Apple offered with other providers
• Basic features usable without account
• ATT prompt shown if tracking, denial respected

System Integration

• App handles interruptions gracefully (calls, background, Siri)
• App content indexed for Spotlight
• Share Sheet available for shareable content

References

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Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit, SF Symbols, Metal, and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc. SnapKit is a trademark of its respective owners.