platform-guideline checked

Apple Human Interface Guidelines: Undo and redo

Frames undo and redo as system-supported ways to reverse actions, supporting safe exploration and recovery.

Open source

Pattern Decisions This Source Supports

Pattern Supported decision Required contract Claim note
Fake undo Flag this anti-pattern when an Undo control does not restore the exact object, value, order, relationship, permission, selection, and visible status it claims to reverse. The system captures reversible state before applying the action, not after users request undo. Apple undo and redo guidance provides the positive recovery contract for real reversal.
Redo Choose redo when the user has just undone a reversible operation and may need to reapply it. Redo is unavailable until an undo places an operation on the redo stack. Apple frames undo and redo as expected reversal mechanisms that support recovery and safe exploration.
Undo Choose undo when the product can restore the exact prior state without data loss or unrecoverable side effects. The undo affordance appears after the action completes and names what will be restored. Apple frames undo and redo as expected reversal mechanisms that support recovery and safe exploration.

Evidence Role

This source is treated as platform-guideline evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.

Publisher: Apple. Last checked: .