Source: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/segmented-controls. 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.
Segmented controls
Best practices
Use a segmented control to provide closely related choices that affect an object, state, or view.
Consider a segmented control when it’s important to group functions together, or to clearly show their selection state.
Keep control types consistent within a single segmented control.
Limit the number of segments in a control.
In general, keep segment size consistent.
Content
Prefer using either text or images — not a mix of both — in a single segmented control.
As much as possible, use content with a similar size in each segment.
Use nouns or noun phrases for segment labels.
Platform considerations
iOS, iPadOS
Consider a segmented control to switch between closely related subviews.
macOS
Consider using introductory text to clarify the purpose of a segmented control.
Use a tab view in the main window area — instead of a segmented control — for view switching.
Consider supporting spring loading.
tvOS
Consider using a split view instead of a segmented control on screens that perform content filtering.
Avoid putting other focusable elements close to segmented controls.
visionOS
Resources
Related
Developer documentation
Change log
For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/segmented-controls