sickn33 Apple HIG: Technologies
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Key Principles
General
Apple technologies extend app capabilities through system integration. Each technology has established user-facing patterns; deviating creates confusion and erodes trust.
Privacy and user control are paramount. Especially for health, payment, and identity technologies. Request only needed data, explain why, respect choices.
Siri and Voice
- Natural, predictable, recoverable. Clear conversational intent phrases that complete quickly and confirm results. Support App Shortcuts for proactive suggestions. Handle errors with clear fallbacks.
Payments and Commerce
- Transparent and frictionless. Standard Apple Pay button styles. Never ask for card details when Apple Pay is available. Clearly describe what the user is buying, the price, and whether it's one-time or subscription.
Health and Fitness
- Health data is deeply personal. Explain the health benefit before requesting access. CareKit tasks should be encouraging. ResearchKit consent flows must be thorough, readable, and respect autonomy.
Smart Home
- Simple and reliable. Immediate response when controlling devices. Clear device state. Graceful handling of connectivity issues.
Augmented Reality
- Genuine value, not gimmicks. Use AR when spatial context improves understanding. Guide setup (surface, lighting, space). Provide clear exit back to standard interaction.
Machine Learning and Generative AI
- Enhance without surprising. Smart suggestions, image recognition, text prediction. Clearly attribute AI-generated content. Controls to edit, regenerate, or dismiss. Let users correct mistakes.
Identity and Authentication
- Sign in with Apple as top option. Standard button styles. Respect email hiding preference. ID Verifier: guided flows, don't store sensitive data beyond what verification requires.
Cloud and Data
- Invisible and reliable sync. Data appears on all devices without manual intervention. Handle conflicts gracefully. Never lose data.
Shared Experiences
- Real-time participation. SharePlay: support multiple participants, show presence, handle latency. AirPlay: appropriate Now Playing metadata.
Automotive
- Driver safety first. Minimize interaction complexity, large touch targets, no distracting content. Only permitted app types: audio, messaging, EV charging, navigation, parking, quick food ordering.
Accessibility
- Baseline requirement. Every element has a meaningful VoiceOver label, trait, and action. Support Dynamic Type, Switch Control, and other assistive technologies. Test entirely with VoiceOver enabled.
Reference Index
| Reference | Topic | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| siri.md | Siri | Intents, shortcuts, voice interaction, App Shortcuts |
| apple-pay.md | Apple Pay | Payment buttons, checkout flow, security |
| tap-to-pay-on-iphone.md | Tap to Pay | Merchant flows, contactless payment |
| in-app-purchase.md | In-app purchase | Subscriptions, one-time purchases, transparency |
| healthkit.md | HealthKit | Health data access, privacy, permissions |
| carekit.md | CareKit | Care plans, tasks, health management |
| researchkit.md | ResearchKit | Studies, informed consent, data collection |
| homekit.md | HomeKit | Smart home control, device state, scenes |
| augmented-reality.md | ARKit | Spatial context, surface detection, setup |
| machine-learning.md | Core ML | Predictions, smart features, confidence handling |
| generative-ai.md | Generative AI | Attribution, editing, responsible AI, uncertainty |
| icloud.md | iCloud | CloudKit, cross-device sync, conflict resolution |
| sign-in-with-apple.md | Sign in with Apple | Authentication, privacy, button styles |
| id-verifier.md | ID Verifier | Identity verification, document scanning |
| shareplay.md | SharePlay | Shared experiences, participant presence |
| airplay.md | AirPlay | Media streaming, Now Playing, wireless display |
| carplay.md | CarPlay | Driver safety, permitted app types, large targets |
| game-center.md | Game Center | Achievements, leaderboards, multiplayer |
| voiceover.md | VoiceOver | Screen reader, labels, traits, accessibility |
| wallet.md | Wallet | Passes, tickets, loyalt |