Splash screen vs Launch screen in iOS
Table of Contents
What is a Splash screen
Splash screen usually refers to a screen that appears briefly before entering an app on the first launch.
A splash screen can contain an image, a logo, and sometimes a subtle animation.
Here is an example of a splash screen in Android.
This is a place where most people want to put their branding in and be as creative as possible.
But this is not what iOS expects you to do.
In iOS, a splash screen is called a Launch screen, and Apple has set up some guidelines about it.
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What is a Launch screen
Launch screen is a screen that displays while your app launches. You can think of it as a term that iOS use to refer to a splash screen.
Even though it sounds the same, it isn't. Apple expected different things from the launch screen.
Apple don't expect you to put a logo or a fancy animation here.
What is the purpose of a launch screen
A launch screen's only function is to reduce the launch time.
It does that by mimicking the first screen that will appear in an app.
Here is an example of a launch screen of Safari. As you can see, the launch screen contains the toolbar and navigation bar of the first screen.
This gives a perception that the app is launched immediately.
What are the characteristics of a Launch screen
Here are a few guidelines on how to craft your launch screen.
- Design a launch screen that’s nearly identical to the first screen of your app.
- Make sure you correctly handle dark mode.
- Avoid including text on your launch screen since you can't localized a launch screen.
- Avoid a launch screen that delays people.
- Don't advertise. The launch screen isn't meant to include logos or other branding elements. It is meant to enhance user experience.
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