# Searching

Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/searching
Skill: hig-patterns
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/searching.
> 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.

# Searching

## Best practices

**If search is important, consider making it a primary action.**

**Aim to make your app’s content searchable through a single location.**

**Use placeholder text to indicate what content is searchable.**

**Clearly display the current scope of a search.**

**Provide suggestions to make searching easier.**

**Take privacy into consideration before displaying search history.**

## Systemwide search

**Make your app’s content searchable in Spotlight.**

**Define metadata for custom file types you handle.**

**Use Spotlight to offer advanced file-search capabilities within the context of your app.**

**Prefer using the system-provided open and save views.**

**Implement a Quick Look generator if your app produces custom file types.**

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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/searching