Apple HIG: Inputs
Check for .claude/apple-design-context.md before asking questions. Use existing context and only ask for information not already covered.
Key Principles
General
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Support multiple input methods. Touch, pointer, keyboard, pencil, voice, eyes, hands, controllers. Design for the inputs available on each platform. On iPadOS, support both touch and pointer; on macOS, both pointer and keyboard.
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Consistent feedback for every input action. Visible, audible, or haptic response.
Gestures
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Standard gestures must behave consistently. Tap to activate, swipe to scroll/navigate, pinch to zoom, long press for context menus, drag to move. Don't override system gestures (edge swipes for back, Home, notifications).
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Use standard recognizers; keep custom gestures discoverable. Apple's built-in recognizers handle edge cases and accessibility. If you add non-standard gestures, provide hints or coaching to teach them.
Apple Pencil
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Precision drawing, markup, and selection. Support pressure, tilt, and hover. Distinguish finger from Pencil when appropriate (finger pans, Pencil draws).
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Support Scribble in text fields. Users expect to write with Pencil in any text input.
Keyboards
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Keyboard shortcuts and full navigation. Standard shortcuts (Cmd+C/V/Z) plus custom ones visible in the iPadOS Command key overlay. Logical tab order.
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Respect the software keyboard. Adjust layout when keyboard appears. Use keyboard-avoidance APIs.
Game Controllers
- MFi controllers with on-screen fallbacks. Map to extended gamepad profile, sensible defaults, remappable. Always offer touch or keyboard alternatives.
Pointer and Trackpad
- Native feel. Hover effects, pointer shape adaptation, standard cursor behaviors. Two-finger scroll, pinch to zoom, swipe to navigate.
Digital Crown
- Primary scrolling and value-adjustment input on watchOS. Scrolling lists, adjusting values, navigating views. Haptic feedback at detents.
Eyes and Spatial (visionOS)
- Look and pinch. Generous hit targets (eye tracking is less precise than touch). Avoid sustained gaze for activation. Direct hand manipulation in immersive experiences.
Focus System
- Critical for tvOS and visionOS. Predictable focus movement. Every interactive element focusable. Clear visual indicators (scale, highlight, elevation). Logical focus groups.
Remotes
- Siri Remote: limited surface. Touch area for swiping, clickpad for selection, few physical buttons. Keep interactions simple.
Motion and Nearby
- Gyroscope, accelerometer, UWB: use judiciously. Suits gaming, fitness, AR. Not for essential tasks. Provide calibration and reset. For UWB, communicate distance and direction with visual or haptic cues.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| gestures.md | Touch gestures | Tap, swipe, pinch, long press, drag, system gestures |
| apple-pencil-and-scribble.md | Apple Pencil | Precision, pressure, tilt, hover, handwriting |
| keyboards.md | Keyboards | Shortcuts, navigation, software keyboard, Command key |
| game-controls.md | Game controllers | MFi, extended gamepad, remapping, fallbacks |
| pointing-devices.md | Pointer/trackpad | Hover, cursor morphing, trackpad gestures |
| digital-crown.md | Digital Crown | Scrolling, value adjustment, haptic detents |
| eyes.md | Eye tracking | Look and tap, gaze targeting, hit target sizing |
| spatial-interactions.md | Spatial input | Hand gestures, direct manipulation, immersive input |
| focus-and-selection.md | Focus system | tvOS/visionOS navigation, focus indicators, groups |
| remotes.md | Remotes | Touch surface, clickpad, simple interactions |
| gyro-and-accelerometer.md | Motion sensors | Gyroscope, accelerometer, calibration, gaming |
| nearby-interactions.md | Nearby interactions | U1 chip, directional finding, proximity triggers |
| camera-control.md | Camera Control | iPhone camera hardware button, quick launch |
Output Format
- Input method recommendations by platform and how they interact.
- Gesture specification table -- standard and custom gestures with expected behaviors.
- Keyboard shortcut recommendations following system conventions.
- Accessibility input alternatives for VoiceOver, Switch Control, etc.
Questions to Ask
- Which platforms and input devices?
- Productivity or casual app?
- Custom gestures in the design?
- Game controller support needed?
Related Skills
- hig-components-status -- Progress indicators responding to input (pull-to-refresh)
- hig-components-system -- System experiences with unique input constraints
- hig-technologies -- VoiceOver, Siri voice input, ARKit spatial gesture context
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When to Use
This skill is applicable to execute the workflow or actions described in the overview.