Navigation bar design

Navigation bars help users understand where they are in an app while providing essential navigation controls and content-related actions.

• Title clarity focuses on meaningful context. Titles confirm user location but aren't always needed — like in Notes, where the content itself provides enough context. Keep titles short (around 15 characters) to leave space for other controls.
• The back button maintains consistent navigation. Use the standard back button design that users recognize for moving up through content hierarchies. While custom back buttons are possible, they must remain clear, familiar, and consistent throughout the app.
• Large titles improve orientation on iOS and iPadOS. Apps like Spotify use them to highlight main sections. These titles shrink when scrolling and expand again at the top, helping users track their location.
• Visual adjustments balance function and focus. While navigation bars can hide during immersive experiences like full-screen photos or a podcast page, ensure users can bring them back with familiar gestures like tapping or swiping down.^[1]