Page control
A page control is a row of small dots that shows which page of a swipeable sequence is current. iOS calls it a Page Control, and Material 3 has no matching component.
Why it matters
A page control only reports; it answers where am I and how many are left. Past about 10 dots they are hard to count, and then another arrangement serves better.
It suits an ordered sequence, not a hierarchy.
Page control on iOS and Android
Also called Pagination dots, Pager, Page indicator. The same idea in each system, with the values Appetite UI gives it.
| Value | iOS | Android | Appetite UI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Page control | No page control; carousels | Pagination |
| Dots in the file | Page Control, 3, 5 and 8 pages | No counterpart | See below |
| Current dot | Solid dot | None | See below |
In Appetite UI
Pagination has a Dots style, with the current dot 8 and the others 5, and a Numbered style with 36 targets that neither platform ships. On mobile the docs say to prefer scrolling wherever the content allows.
Example
An image carousel shows five dots under the photo, the current one solid. Onboarding screens use three dots and a Continue button.
Common mistakes
- More than about 10 dots. Use another arrangement, such as a grid.
- Using dots for non-sequential pages.
- Dots as the only way to move. Keep the swipe and a button.
- Placing the control away from the bottom center.
Questions
How many dots should a page control have?
Apple notes that more than about 10 are hard to count at a glance, and suggests a different arrangement, such as a grid, for more peers.
Does Android have a page control?
Not as a Material 3 component. Apps draw dots under a pager or use a carousel. Appetite UI draws one for both.
Sources
The pages the facts above rest on, each read October 30, 2026.