# Color

Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/color
Skill: hig-foundations
Snapshot: 2025-02-02

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<!-- hig-doctor:attribution -->
> **Source**: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/color.
> This file is a structured index of that content, snapshot 2025-02-02.
> Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc.; this repository provides organization and cross-referencing for AI agent consumption only.

# Color

## Best practices

**Avoid using the same color to mean different things.**

**Make sure all your app’s colors work well in light, dark, and increased contrast contexts.**

**Test your app’s color scheme under a variety of lighting conditions.**

**Test your app on different devices.**

**Consider how artwork and translucency affect nearby colors.**

**If your app lets people choose colors, prefer system-provided color controls where available.**

## Inclusive color

**Avoid relying solely on color to differentiate between objects, indicate interactivity, or communicate essential information.**

**Avoid using colors that make it hard to perceive content in your app.**

**Consider how the colors you use might be perceived in other countries and cultures.**

## System colors

**Avoid hard-coding system color values in your app.**

**Avoid redefining the semantic meanings of dynamic system colors.**

## Liquid Glass color

**Apply color sparingly to the Liquid Glass material, and to symbols or text on the material.**

**Avoid using similar colors in control labels if your app has a colorful background.**

**Be aware of the placement of color in the content layer.**

## Color management

**Apply color profiles to your images.**

**Use wide color to enhance the visual experience on compatible displays.**

**Provide color space–specific image and color variations if necessary.**

## Platform considerations

### iOS, iPadOS

  * Primary for the overall view

  * Secondary for grouping content or elements within the overall view

  * Tertiary for grouping content or elements within secondary elements

### tvOS

**Consider choosing a limited color palette that coordinates with your app logo.**

**Avoid using only color to indicate focus.**

### visionOS

**Use color sparingly, especially on glass.**

**Prefer using color in bold text and large areas.**

**In a fully immersive experience, help people maintain visual comfort by keeping brightness levels balanced.**

### watchOS

**Use background color to support existing content or supply additional information.**

**Recognize that people might prefer graphic complications to use tinted mode instead of full color.**

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For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/color