Does Material Design Work Well with iOS?

Material Design, a design language developed by Google, is primarily tailored for Android applications but can be adapted for use on iOS. This article explores the compatibility of Material Design with iOS and discusses its pros and cons in this context.

Proponents of Material Design on iOS

Consistency Across Platforms

Using Material Design on iOS can provide a consistent experience for users who also use Android applications. This consistency can be particularly beneficial for cross-platform applications, as it helps in maintaining a seamless experience across different operating systems.

Rich Components

Material Design offers a wide range of UI components and guidelines that can enhance the visual appeal and usability of an app, even on iOS. This rich ecosystem ensures a high level of design flexibility and can help in creating a visually appealing user interface.

Customization

Developers can customize Material Design components to align more closely with iOS design principles, creating a hybrid experience that still feels native. This customization allows for a blend of design aesthetics, making the app look and feel more integrated with the iOS ecosystem.

Challenges and Considerations

iOS Design Guidelines

However, there are also challenges associated with using Material Design on iOS. iOS has its own Human Interface Guidelines that prioritize different design principles, such as clarity and deference. Using Material Design may lead to a non-native feel, which could confuse users familiar with iOS conventions. This inconsistency is a significant drawback, especially for users who are accustomed to the native iOS design experience.

Inconsistency

Mixing Material Design with native iOS elements may result in an inconsistent user experience if not implemented carefully. Ensuring that the design integrates seamlessly with the rest of the iOS environment is crucial for a positive user experience.

Performance Considerations

Implementing Material Design may introduce additional complexity in terms of performance and responsiveness, especially if the components are not optimized for iOS. This can impact the overall performance of the app and potentially lead to a less smooth user experience.

Conclusion

While Material Design can work on iOS, it is essential to carefully consider the user experience and ensure that the app still feels intuitive and native to iOS users. Balancing Material Design principles with iOS guidelines can lead to a successful cross-platform application.

At our company, we have developed some internal mobile applications using Xamarin for both iOS and Android platforms, following Material Design guidelines. The result is that the apps look really great, demonstrating the potential of Material Design on iOS with careful implementation.

We also develop many iOS controls following the same guidelines, which are available for download on GitHub under the MIT license: fpt-software/Material-Controls-For-iOS. These controls are a valuable resource for developers looking to integrate Material Design principles into their iOS apps.

However, our own opinion is that, while design should ideally fit with iOS, designing an iOS app with Material Design principles would likely result in a jarring experience. Switching between iOS menus and system navigation and then entering an app with a completely different design principal would not flow nicely.