How should I design an iPad app using Apple's HIG?

Apple's HIG recommends using sidebars instead of bottom tab bars on iPadOS, supporting split views for multitasking, and adding pointer interactions. Apple HIG Skills provides instant, AI-ready guidance on all iPadOS conventions.

What are Apple's guidelines for adding Apple Pay?

Apple's HIG specifies exact payment button placement, flow design, error states, and UX patterns required for App Store approval. Apple HIG Skills gives your AI agent access to the full Apple Pay design guidelines.

How do I make my Apple app accessible?

Apple's HIG requires support for VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, sufficient color contrast ratios, and motor accessibility features like Switch Control. Apple HIG Skills covers all accessibility foundations and requirements.

How do I design for visionOS and Apple Vision Pro?

Apple's HIG for visionOS covers ornaments, volumes, immersive spaces, eye tracking, and spatial interaction patterns. Apple HIG Skills includes dedicated visionOS platform guidance and spatial layout references.

What are Apple's dark mode design guidelines?

Apple's HIG specifies using system semantic colors, material backgrounds, elevated surfaces, and vibrancy for dark mode. Apps should test in both modes and avoid hard-coded color values. Apple HIG Skills covers the full dark mode specification.

How should I design notifications for iOS apps?

Apple's HIG covers notification grouping, Live Activities, action buttons, and respecting user attention. Apple HIG Skills provides guidelines for the full notification system including widgets and complications.

Source: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/carplay. 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.

CarPlay

iPhone interactions

Eliminate app interactions on iPhone when CarPlay is active.

Never lock people out of CarPlay because the connected iPhone requires input.

Make sure your app works without requiring people to unlock iPhone.

Audio

Let people choose when to start playback.

Start playback as soon as audio has sufficiently loaded.

Display the Now Playing screen when audio is ready to play.

Resume audio playback after an interruption only when it’s appropriate.

When necessary, automatically adjust audio levels, but don’t change the overall volume.

Layout

Provide useful, high-value information in a clean layout that’s easy to scan from the driver’s seat.

Maintain an overall consistent appearance throughout your app.

Ensure that primary content stands out and feels actionable.

Color

In general, prefer a limited color palette that coordinates with your app logo.

Avoid using the same color for interactive and noninteractive elements.

Test your app’s color scheme under a variety of lighting conditions in an actual car.

Ensure your app looks great in both dark and light environments.

Choose colors that help you communicate effectively with everyone.

Icons and images

Supply high-resolution images with scale factors of @2x and @3x for all CarPlay artwork in your app.

Mirror your iPhone app icon.

Don’t use black for your icon’s background.

CarPlay

CarPlay

iPhone interactions

Audio

Layout

Color

Icons and images

Error handling

Platform considerations

Resources

Developer documentation

Videos

Change log

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