/building-ui

Visual Effects

Backdrop Blur

Use expo-blur for blur effects. Prefer systemMaterial tints as they adapt to dark mode.

import { BlurView } from "expo-blur";

<BlurView tint="systemMaterial" intensity={100} />;

Tint Options

// System materials (adapt to dark mode)
<BlurView tint="systemMaterial" />
<BlurView tint="systemThinMaterial" />
<BlurView tint="systemUltraThinMaterial" />
<BlurView tint="systemThickMaterial" />
<BlurView tint="systemChromeMaterial" />

// Basic tints
<BlurView tint="light" />
<BlurView tint="dark" />
<BlurView tint="default" />

// Prominent (more visible)
<BlurView tint="prominent" />

// Extra light/dark
<BlurView tint="extraLight" />

Intensity

Control blur strength with intensity (0-100):

<BlurView tint="systemMaterial" intensity={50} />  // Subtle
<BlurView tint="systemMaterial" intensity={100} /> // Full

Rounded Corners

BlurView requires overflow: 'hidden' to clip rounded corners:

<BlurView
  tint="systemMaterial"
  intensity={100}
  style={{
    borderRadius: 16,
    overflow: 'hidden',
  }}
/>

Overlay Pattern

Common pattern for overlaying blur on content:

<View style={{ position: 'relative' }}>
  <Image source={{ uri: '...' }} style={{ width: '100%', height: 200 }} />
  <BlurView
    tint="systemUltraThinMaterial"
    intensity={80}
    style={{
      position: 'absolute',
      bottom: 0,
      left: 0,
      right: 0,
      padding: 16,
    }}
  >
    <Text style={{ color: 'white' }}>Caption</Text>
  </BlurView>
</View>

Glass Effects (iOS 26+)

Use expo-glass-effect for liquid glass backdrops on iOS 26+.

import { GlassView } from "expo-glass-effect";

<GlassView style={{ borderRadius: 16, padding: 16 }}>
  <Text>Content inside glass</Text>
</GlassView>

Interactive Glass

Add isInteractive for buttons and pressable glass:

import { GlassView } from "expo-glass-effect";
import { SymbolView } from "expo-symbols";
import { PlatformColor } from "react-native";

<GlassView isInteractive style={{ borderRadius: 50 }}>
  <Pressable style={{ padding: 12 }} onPress={handlePress}>
    <SymbolView name="plus" tintColor={PlatformColor("label")} size={36} />
  </Pressable>
</GlassView>

Glass Buttons

Create liquid glass buttons:

function GlassButton({ icon, onPress }) {
  return (
    <GlassView isInteractive style={{ borderRadius: 50 }}>
      <Pressable style={{ padding: 12 }} onPress={onPress}>
        <SymbolView name={icon} tintColor={PlatformColor("label")} size={24} />
      </Pressable>
    </GlassView>
  );
}

// Usage
<GlassButton icon="plus" onPress={handleAdd} />
<GlassButton icon="gear" onPress={handleSettings} />

Glass Card

<GlassView style={{ borderRadius: 20, padding: 20 }}>
  <Text style={{ fontSize: 18, fontWeight: '600', color: PlatformColor("label") }}>
    Card Title
  </Text>
  <Text style={{ color: PlatformColor("secondaryLabel"), marginTop: 8 }}>
    Card content goes here
  </Text>
</GlassView>

Checking Availability

import { isLiquidGlassAvailable } from "expo-glass-effect";

if (isLiquidGlassAvailable()) {
  // Use GlassView
} else {
  // Fallback to BlurView or solid background
}

Fallback Pattern

import { GlassView, isLiquidGlassAvailable } from "expo-glass-effect";
import { BlurView } from "expo-blur";

function AdaptiveGlass({ children, style }) {
  if (isLiquidGlassAvailable()) {
    return <GlassView style={style}>{children}</GlassView>;
  }

  return (
    <BlurView tint="systemMaterial" intensity={80} style={style}>
      {children}
    </BlurView>
  );
}

Sheet with Glass Background

Make sheet backgrounds liquid glass on iOS 26+:

<Stack.Screen
  name="sheet"
  options={{
    presentation: "formSheet",
    sheetGrabberVisible: true,
    sheetAllowedDetents: [0.5, 1.0],
    contentStyle: { backgroundColor: "transparent" },
  }}
/>

Best Practices

• Use systemMaterial tints for automatic dark mode support
• Always set overflow: 'hidden' on BlurView for rounded corners
• Use isInteractive on GlassView for buttons and pressables
• Check isLiquidGlassAvailable() and provide fallbacks
• Avoid nesting blur views (performance impact)
• Keep blur intensity reasonable (50-100) for readability