Settings screen
A settings screen is a grouped list of preferences, with a switch for each yes or no choice. Apple asks for good defaults and as few settings as possible.
Why it matters
Every setting is a decision handed to a person. Defaults that suit most people and a short list keep the screen approachable and make a single setting findable.
The system already holds some settings, so repeating them in the app only creates a second place to look.
Settings screen on iOS and Android
Also called Preferences, Account settings. The same idea in each system, with the values Appetite UI gives it.
| Value | iOS | Android | Appetite UI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Settings | Settings pattern, list with switches | Settings screens |
| Menu in the file | Nine rows in three groups | Same screens | See below |
| Preferences list in the file | Four switches and two help links | Same screens | See below |
In Appetite UI
The Settings screens are a Menu of nine rows in three groups, an Account setup form with a photo, three fields and a Change password button, and a Selection list with values, four switches and two links to help. They are built from Top Bar, List, Avatar, Text Input, Button and Toggle.
Example
A menu groups rows under Profile, App and Integrations. The preferences list shows a switch per yes or no choice, and a value with a chevron where a choice has more than two answers.
Common mistakes
- Asking in settings for what the system can tell you, such as Dark Mode.
- Too many settings, so the one wanted is lost.
- Using a switch for a choice that needs Save.
- Repeating system settings such as accessibility options.
Questions
How many settings should an app have?
As few as possible. Apple advises choosing defaults that give the best experience to the most people, and minimizing the number of settings.
Should a setting be a switch or a row?
A yes or no choice is a switch. A choice among more answers is a row that opens a list.
Sources
The pages the facts above rest on, each read October 30, 2026.