Can I Implement an Exit Button in an iOS App?

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Created 2w

Replies 3

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I am an iOS app developer and I have a question regarding the implementation of an exit button in an iOS app. I remember reading in the past that Apple does not recommend this practice, but I couldn’t find any explicit policy on this matter in the current Human Interface Guidelines.

Could you please clarify whether it is acceptable to implement an exit button in an iOS app according to the latest guidelines? Any references or official documentation would be greatly appreciated.

Answered by Scott in 812859022

Having an app abruptly vanish and dump back to the home screen is also known as “crashing.” Why do you want that user experience in your app? The user can always go directly to the home screen or task switch to another app using the standard interactions for doing so.

Here’s an old but apparently still valid document on the subject: How do I programmatically quit my iOS application?

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Answer 1

Scott OP

2w

Recommended

Having an app abruptly vanish and dump back to the home screen is also known as “crashing.” Why do you want that user experience in your app? The user can always go directly to the home screen or task switch to another app using the standard interactions for doing so.

Here’s an old but apparently still valid document on the subject: How do I programmatically quit my iOS application?

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Answer 2

Hoffman OP

2w

My (nuanced) answer: If you offer a quit in specific and appropriate circumstances, it may well pass app review. Otherwise, don’t.

An example being as part of a completion dialog after performing a user-requested account deletion and data deletion procedure. (The only path left for the app in that state is starting an on-boarding.)

Outside of specific and app-specific cases, I’d expect review problems.

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Answer 3

themikestern OP

1w

Hi Zicokim, There's no benefit to have a quit / exit button for iOS apps. Indeed, it would be a better user experience to tap a button and have the app disappear. As Scott says, it would feel like a crash.

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