---
name: Apple Human Interface Guidelines
slug: apple-hig
url: "https://dontmakeitugly.com/resources/apple-hig"
website: "https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/"
type: design-system
categories:
  - design-systems
tags:
  - design-system
  - apple
  - ios
  - macos
  - guidelines
  - mobile
  - accessibility
frameworks:
  - agnostic
pricing: free
openSource: false
agentFriendly: good
agentAccessMethods:
  - documentation
  - public_web
difficulty: any
dateAdded: "2026-09-02"
lastVerified: "2026-09-02"
---

# Apple Human Interface Guidelines

Apple's guidance on designing for iOS, macOS, watchOS and visionOS.

- Type: Design system
- Categories: Design Systems
- Pricing: Free
- Open source: no
- Works with: Framework agnostic, SwiftUI

## What it is

The Human Interface Guidelines describe how Apple platforms should look, feel and behave: navigation patterns, typography (San Francisco), colour, layout, accessibility, and every system component. They are opinionated and beautifully written.

## Why it's here

Required reading if you're building anything that runs on an Apple device, and a great reference for restraint even on the web. The sections on typography and accessibility are especially good.

## Best for

- iOS and macOS apps
- mobile patterns
- accessibility guidance
- learning platform conventions

## Links

- Website: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/

## Can my agent use this?

Yes. Public docs an agent can read. Link the specific page (for example "Buttons" or "Typography") and ask the agent to follow it.

Agent friendliness: Good. Publicly accessible and useful to reference, but the agent will need to interpret it rather than install it.
Access methods: Docs, Public website.

## Prompt to hand your agent

```text
Use Apple Human Interface Guidelines as a design and implementation reference for this project.

What it is: Apple's guidance on designing for iOS, macOS, watchOS and visionOS.

Website: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/

Use it specifically for:
- iOS and macOS apps
- mobile patterns
- accessibility guidance
- learning platform conventions

How you can access it: Docs, Public website.
Works with: Framework agnostic.

Study the relevant design and implementation patterns, but adapt them to this project's existing architecture, visual language, accessibility requirements and conventions. Do not blindly copy the entire resource.
```

## Related

- [Material Design 3](https://dontmakeitugly.com/resources/material-design-3.md): Google's design system, documented in exhaustive, agent-readable detail.
- [Mobbin](https://dontmakeitugly.com/resources/mobbin.md): The biggest library of real app screens and user flows.
- [DESIGN.md Specification](https://dontmakeitugly.com/resources/design-md-spec.md): Google Labs' open format for describing a visual identity to a coding agent.
- [Vercel Geist](https://dontmakeitugly.com/resources/geist-design-system.md): Vercel's design system: the reference for the modern developer-tool look.

## In collections

- [Design systems every agent should know](https://dontmakeitugly.com/collections/design-systems-to-study.md)

Apple Human Interface Guidelines is an independent resource listed by Don't Make It Ugly. We link to it; we aren't affiliated with it. Pricing and licence details are as understood at the time of listing; check the official site.