Top navigation bars are positioned at the top of the screen and play a key role in organizing content and guiding users. They are commonly used in both iOS and Android apps, though their design and functionality vary slightly across platforms.
- Material Design (Android) top app bar. These components display navigation elements, key actions, and sometimes contextual information like page titles or search fields. This bar is often fixed, providing users with consistent access to important controls throughout the app.[1]
- iOS Navigation Bars: these components also appear at the top and typically include a title to help users orient themselves. They may feature additional controls, like a back button or a menu, that affect the content displayed below. These bars act as anchors, giving users a sense of structure and hierarchy within the app.[2]
Top navigation is best suited for situations where users need constant access to primary actions or navigation elements across multiple screens.