User control and empowerment

Users should always feel in control of their experience. iOS asks permission before accessing personal data and makes these settings easy to change later. Every significant action, like deleting a contact or leaving a group chat, requires explicit confirmation to prevent accidental changes.^[1] Control means providing clear ways to undo actions. The shake-to-undo gesture, back buttons, and the ability to revert edits give users the confidence to explore without fear of mistakes.

Apps should avoid making assumptions — let users choose when to update, save changes, or share content. Good interfaces balance automation with user control. While Face ID speeds up device unlocking, users can always fall back to passcode entry. Smart features suggest actions but don't take them automatically, ensuring users maintain the final say over their device's behavior.