Want to make your iOS app’s lists more organized, scannable, and user-friendly? Whether it’s contacts, products, or categories, choosing the right sectioning pattern can make a huge difference. Here are the top 3 ways to structure sections in iOS apps—each with its best use case, code and real examples.
1. Sticky Section Headers (Best for Categorized Content)
Best for: Contacts, Settings, Playlists, Grouped Data.
Examples: Apple Contacts, iOS Settings, Spotify Playlists.
2. Horizontal Scroll Sections (Best for Featured or Trending Items)
Best for: Shopping, Streaming, News, Multi-category Lists.
Examples: Netflix (movies by genre), App Store (top apps by category).
3. Expandable/Collapsible Sections (Best for Long Lists with Subcategories)
Best for: FAQs, Product Categories, Nested Lists.
Examples: Apple Notes (folder-based list), Settings app (Privacy & Security).
Choosing the right section pattern depends on your app’s content and user interaction needs:
• Use Sticky Headers for organized, searchable lists.
• Use Horizontal Scroll for featured or media-heavy content.
• Use Expandable Sections for nested or collapsible categories.
Which pattern do you prefer in your iOS apps? Let me know in the comments!
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