Source: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/multitasking. 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.
Best practices
Pause activities that require people’s attention or active participation when they switch away.
Respond smoothly to audio interruptions.
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Pause audio indefinitely for primary audio interruptions, such as playing music, podcasts, or audiobooks.
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Temporarily lower the volume or pause the audio for shorter interruptions, such as GPS directional notifications, and resume the original volume or playback when the interruption ends.
Finish user-initiated tasks in the background.
Use notifications sparingly.
Platform considerations
visionOS
Avoid interfering with the system-provided multitasking behavior.
Don’t pause a window’s video playback when people look away from it.
Be prepared for situations where your audio can duck.
For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/multitasking