Design specifications for integrating system capabilities (payments/health/home/AI/identity…) into your app. Each entry provides what it is + when to use it + key design points + branding/naming rules. Universal hard rules:Use system-provided buttons/icons (automatically localized + consistent), request permissions only as needed and explain the purpose, use correct capitalization for trademark names, and do not use icons improperly as interactive buttons.
1. Payments & Wallet
| Technology | What it is + key design points |
|---|---|
| Apple Pay | For purchasing physical goods/services/donations/subscriptions (use IAP for digital content). Use API-provided buttons (do not customize), set a default payment option when a valid card is available, place it to the right of "Add to Cart" side-by-side or stack it above; 3-step checkout has 61% conversion vs 7% for 9-step; 3 button styles (black/white outline/white) selected to match the background; include the ® symbol the first time Apple Pay® appears. |
| In-app Purchase | For digital content/subscriptions. 4 categories: consumable/non-consumable/auto-renewable/non-renewable; offer try-before-you-pay;offer codes(one-time vs custom e.g. NEWYEAR);Family Sharing(up to 5 people); provide a refund entry point; display subscription information in a watchOS modal view. |
| Wallet | Stores cards/tickets/passes. 5 pass types: boarding passes/coupons/store cards/event tickets/generic; use PassFields for text instead of embedding images; place important information in the top-right corner;order tracking(Track with Apple Wallet, statuses onTheWay/outForDelivery) +identity verification(Verify with Apple Wallet, only request necessary data such as age threshold). |
| Tap to Pay on iPhone | Accept payments without external hardware. Only administrators may accept terms; educate merchants (tutorials); checkout is time-sensitive (can be selected even during background configuration); button label "Tap to Pay on iPhone" (simplify to "Tap to Pay" when space is limited); use a generic label for card reads without an amount (inquiry/refund). |
2. Health & Research
· HealthKit: Health and fitness data hub (iOS/iPadOS/watchOS). Request access only as needed, explain the purpose, manage via system privacy settings;Activity Rings may only be used for move/exercise/stand, use the standard style on a black background and do not change colors; when speaking to users call it Apple Health not HealthKit (that is developer terminology). · CareKit: Care plan framework (chronic disease/post-surgery recovery); two parts: UI + Store; integrates HealthKit/ResearchKit; privacy first. · ResearchKit: Medical research apps;informed consent flow (split long consent forms into easy-to-understand sections + optional comprehension quiz + signature); one question per screen for surveys + show progress; clearly explain activity tasks.
3. Home & Car
· HomeKit: Control smart devices via Siri/Home App. Hierarchy:Home → Room → Accessory → Zone; Actions + Scenes (called Scene in UI, Action Set in API); automations (turn on lights at sunset); naming rules (alphanumeric characters, spaces, apostrophes; do not include location terms such as "kitchen light" which causes confusion); Siri recognizes rooms/categories/characteristics/zones/scenes; when speaking to users call it the Apple Home app. Copywriting hard rule: use "work with HomeKit", not "HomeKit lightbulbs". · CarPlay: Template-driven (iOS automatically handles resolution/touchscreen/knob differences); usable even from the iPhone Lock Screen, avoid iPhone-specific interactions; do not auto-play audio; place important content in the upper half of the screen; do not design separate mirrored iPhone icons; automatically supports dark and light modes.
4. Communication & Social
· Messages for Business: Customers contact businesses via the Messages app (Q&A/support/Apple Pay payments). Brand it (logo + color scheme, do not confuse with others/Apple); use system button titles ("Message Us/Get Help"); use the term Apple Messages for Business(do not use chat/text/iMessage). · iMessage apps & stickers: In-conversation sharing/collaboration/play; prioritize core functions in compact view, edit in expanded view; stickers should be diverse and inclusive + have VoiceOver alternative descriptions + be the same size within the same pack. · Sign in with Apple: Fast, private sign-in (includes two-factor + Face/Touch/Optic ID);respect the private relay email choice(do not ask for a personal email again); do not ask for a password; make the button prominent (do not make it smaller than other sign-in buttons); limit titles to "Sign in/up/Continue with Apple". · SharePlay: Shared activities over FaceTime/Messages (watching videos/listening to music/playing games). Activity = shareable experience type; help non-subscribers join quickly; support Picture in Picture;visionOS Spatial Personas(3 templates: side-by-side/surround/conversation) + shared context + spatial audio; separate private content from shared content. · Siri: Complete tasks via voice/touch/automation.SiriKit Intents are organized by domain (messaging/calls/fitness); two steps: process the request (confirm/follow up) → execute and give feedback; predict suggestions based on time/location/activity; custom intents recognize personalized phrases; adapt to driving/workout/HomePod scenarios (speak on-screen information aloud).
5. Media & Recognition
· AirPlay: Stream media to other devices. Prioritize the system media player (includes built-in audio selection/subtitles/AirPlay); do not stop playback in the background; do not interrupt playback on other devices; use the white icon (on dark backgrounds) and do not use it as a UI replacement; use correct capitalization for "AirPlay". · Live Photos: Photos with dynamic sound effects and motion. Apply adjustments to all frames; do not split them into separate images + audio; when the environment is unsupported, display a static version + system badge. · ShazamKit: Audio recognition. Stop recording as soon as possible (privacy); obtain user approval before storing to iCloud. · Photo Editing: Photos app editing extension. Save edits as a new file (preserve the original safely); confirm before canceling; do not add a custom navigation bar (the modal already has one); let users preview effects. · Maps: Geographic data display. Maintain interactivity; two styles: default/grayscale; cluster dense points of interest;indoor maps(malls/airports, adjust detail by zoom level, do not imitate Apple Maps); watchOS uses static snapshots (≤5 annotations, no scrolling). · Augmented Reality: Blend virtual objects into reality. Only for ARKit-capable devices; use full screen, place objects realistically (60fps to prevent jitter), place controls in screen space rather than the virtual environment; use coaching views to help detect planes; gestures (one-finger drag/two-finger rotate); support multi-user sharing;use easy-to-understand terminology("Move your device slowly to reposition" instead of "adjust tracking"); ≤100 reference images; safety first (do not encourage dangerous actions).
6. AI & Machine Learning (for PMs building AI features)
▸ Generative AI: Use ML to generate/transform text and images.
Responsible design(inclusivity + privacy)/ User control(reject/undo/retry, know which content is AI-generated)/ Inclusivity(avoid bias and stereotypes)/ Meaningful(only use when there is clear value, provide non-AI alternatives e.g. regular emoji vs Genmoji)/ Transparency(clearly label AI use cases, set reasonable expectations)/ Privacy(prioritize on-device Foundation Models)/ Hallucination prevention(do not rely on generated facts)/ Prevent destructive operations(require explicit confirmation for deleting photos/transactions)/ Avoid copyright issues/ Provide multiple results for selection.
▸ Machine Learning: Improve experiences/create new features. Before designing, position across 5 dimensions:
Critical vs assistive(Face ID is critical / QuickType is assistive),Private vs public(health data requires precision),Proactive vs passive(Siri suggestions vs search),Visible vs invisible, Dynamic vs static. Core design patterns:Calibration(Face ID face scan, only when necessary, explain why, cancellable)/ Explicit feedback(clear options like "Suggest less of this music" instead of "like/dislike")/ Implicit feedback(infer from behavior, preserve privacy, prioritize recency, verify credibility)/ Handle errors(anticipate + help resolve + learn from them);Confidence(translate to plain language like "high match" instead of "97%", do not display low confidence results)/ Attribution(explain the basis e.g. "Based on the thrillers you've read", be objective not emotional)/ Limitations(set expectations, demonstrate best use, explain suboptimal results)/ Multiple options(place the most likely option first, do not provide too many).
7. Identity / Near Field / Cloud / Gaming / Others
· ID Verifier: Read mobile ID cards without external hardware (ISO 18013-5). Two request types: display only vs data transfer; only request necessary data (for age checks only verify the threshold); use button "Verify Age/Identity", do not use the Apple logo. · NFC: Wireless exchange within a few centimeters (scan tags/coupons/inventory).Do not say "tap/touch", say "scan and hold close"; do not use the term "NFC/near field communication", say "scan [object]"; background tag reading (unavailable when using Wallet/Apple Pay). · iCloud: Automatic sync (users expect content to always be up to date). Integrate automatically, do not make users manage files manually; respect storage space (do not store content that can be regenerated); confirm before deletion (syncs deletion across all devices); handle conflicts automatically; include in search; use GameSave for games. · Game Center: Social gaming platform. Access point controls (iOS=Overlay, tvOS/visionOS=Dashboard); achievements have 4 states/leaderboards (classic vs recurring)/challenges (1–5 minute skill-focused)/multiplayer activities (8-digit party codes e.g. 2MP4-9CMF). See Apple HIG Small Platforms: watchOS / tvOS / CarPlay / Game Design. · App Clips: Lightweight app version that completes tasks without download.App Clip Codes(scan vs NFC integration, printed size ≥1.9cm, digital size ≥256px, high contrast, flat surface, do not obscure); focus on core functions, do not use web views, keep size small; use Sign in with Apple to preserve privacy; 8-hour notification window; does not appear on the Home Screen (removed automatically). See Apple HIG iPad & Mac Special Topics (Platform Differences/Cursor/Navigation/Copy/Charts/Windows/Subscriptions/Dynamic Components). · Mac Catalyst:iPad App to Mac version. Suitable for apps that already support drag and drop/keyboard/multitasking/multiple windows;iPad idiom(100% scaling appears too large) vs Mac idiom(recommended, text and graphics are clearer); navigation: Split View → sidebar, tab bar → segmented control; add a menu bar (Mac expects all commands to be in the menu bar). · Always On:Low-power display interface when interaction is paused (iPhone 14 Pro/Apple Watch). Hide sensitive information; retain glanceable information (workout heart rate/flights); keep layout stable (turn interactive components unavailable instead of removing them); use smooth transitions instead of abrupt stops.
Sourced from Technologies (29 articles). For component-level usage, see Apple HIG Component Decision Manual (63 components · When to use which); for more detailed design of Game Center/App Clips, see Apple HIG Small Platforms: watchOS / tvOS / CarPlay / Game Design, Apple HIG iPad & Mac Special Topics (Platform Differences/Cursor/Navigation/Copy/Charts/Windows/Subscriptions/Dynamic Components); for the design philosophy of AI/ML experiences, see Apple HIG Design Principles and Mindsets (12 Core Principles / Fluid Interfaces / Intentional Design / Multisensory / ML Experiences) §ML Experiences.