Multitasking

PatternsPatterns

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.

  • Pause audio indefinitely for primary audio interruptions, such as playing music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

  • 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

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