Tap Bar
Best Practices
Focus on primary destinations. Limit the tap bar to four or five core sections. Too many options can crowd the interface and make navigation less intuitive.
Use clear labels or icons. Descriptive text and recognizable icons help users quickly identify each destination. Keep labels short to prevent truncation.
Maintain consistency. Place the tap bar in the same position on every screen, ensuring it remains a reliable navigation anchor.
Provide immediate feedback. When users select a tab, use a highlight, color change, or subtle animation to confirm the selection.
Style
Tap bars typically span the entire width of the screen, anchored at the bottom for convenient one-handed reach.
Contrast and clarity. Differentiate active and inactive tabs with clear color changes or icon states.
Spacing. Leave sufficient space between icons or labels to prevent accidental taps, aiming for at least 44×44 pt per target.
Brand alignment. Align the tap bar’s background and icon colors with your overall design theme. Subtle shadows or gradients can add depth without overwhelming the interface.
Content
Each tab should lead to a primary app section or essential feature:
Icon + text (optional). A compact icon can clarify the destination, while a short label explains it. If space is limited, some designs use icons alone, but be sure they’re universally recognizable.
Active state. Mark the current tab with a distinct color fill or underline, helping users quickly identify their location.
Badge counts. If relevant (e.g., unread messages or notifications), display numeric badges on tabs to highlight updates.
Role
A tap bar provides quick, persistent access to the core areas of your mobile app:
Primary navigation. Users can move between app sections without returning to a home screen or opening a menu.
Multi-tasking. Switching contexts becomes more fluid, as each tap instantly loads a different tab.
Contextual awareness. The bar’s active state signals the user’s current location, reducing confusion in larger apps.
