Source: Apple Inc. Canonical content at https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/pickers. This file is a structured index of that content, snapshot 2025-02-02. Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc.; this repository provides organization and cross-referencing for AI agent consumption only.
Pickers
Best practices
Consider using a picker to offer medium-to-long lists of items.
Use predictable and logically ordered values.
Avoid switching views to show a picker.
Consider providing less granularity when specifying minutes in a date picker.
Platform considerations
iOS, iPadOS
Compact — A button that displays editable date and time content in a modal view.
Inline — For time only, a button that displays wheels of values; for dates and times, an inline calendar view.
Wheels — A set of scrolling wheels that also supports data entry through built-in or external keyboards.
Automatic — A system-determined style based on the current platform and date picker mode.
Date — Displays months, days of the month, and years.
Time — Displays hours, minutes, and (optionally) an AM/PM designation.
Date and time — Displays dates, hours, minutes, and (optionally) an AM/PM designation.
Countdown timer — Displays hours and minutes, up to a maximum of 23 hours and 59 minutes. This mode isn’t available in the inline or compact styles.
Compact
Inline
Wheels
Use a compact date picker when space is constrained.
macOS
Choose a date picker style that suits your app.
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For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/pickers