Audio Guidelines By App Type

The latest driving game does not have the same audio requirements as a real-time video chat app. The following sections provide design guidelines for different types of audio apps.

Audio Guidelines for Game Apps

Most games require user interaction for anything to happen in the game. Use the AVAudioSessionCategoryAmbient or AVAudioSessionCategorySoloAmbient categories when designing games. When users bring up another app or lock the screen, they do not expect the app to continue playing. Often they want the audio from another app to continue playing while the game app plays.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Audio Guidelines for User-Controlled Playback and Recording Apps

Recording apps and playback apps such as Pandora and Netflix have similar guidelines. These types of apps use the AVAudioSessionCategoryRecord, AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord, or AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback categories and typically interrupt other system audio when their audio sessions are activated. The UI will include a play/pause button or a record/pause button.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Audio Guidelines for VoIP and Chat Apps

VoIP and chat apps require that both input and output routes are available. These types of apps use the AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord category and do not mix with other apps.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Starting in iOS 10, to build VoIP apps with the same features and capabilities found in built-in telephony apps (Phone and FaceTime apps), use the CallKit framework. For more information, see CallKit Framework Reference.

Audio Guidelines for Metering Apps

Metering apps need the minimal amount of system-supplied signal processing applied to the input and output routes. Set the AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord category and the measurement mode to minimize signal processing. Also, apps of this type do not mix with other apps.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Audio Guidelines for Browser-like Apps That Sometimes Play Audio

Social media or other browser-like apps often play short videos. They use the AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback category and do not obey the ringer switch. These apps also do not mix with other apps.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Audio Guidelines for Navigation and Workout Apps

Navigation and workout apps use the AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback or AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord categories. The audio from these apps typically consists of short voice prompts. When played, these prompts interrupt spoken audio, such as a podcast or an audio book, and mix with (and duck) other audio, such as playback from the Music app.

Here are some recommended guidelines:

Audio Guidelines for Cooperative Music Apps

Cooperative music apps are designed to play while other apps are playing. These types of apps use the AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback or AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord category and mix with other apps.

Here are some recommended guidelines: