View source for SpringBoard

{{short description|Application managing the iPhone home screen}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
'''SpringBoard''' is the standard application that manages the [[iPhone]]'s home screen. Other tasks include starting WindowServer, launching and bootstrapping applications, and setting some of the device's settings on startup.

Android's equivalent of iOS' SpringBoard would be a launcher, offering similar functionalities.
==History==
===Brief history===
{{Update|section|date=September 2020}}
In 2008, with [[Apple Inc.|Apple's]] release of iPhone OS 1.1.3 and the January App Pack, the SpringBoard underwent some substantial changes. Holding a finger on any application for a few seconds causes all of the icons to wiggle. From this view, one could rearrange icons, delete [[Progressive_web_app#Predecessors|web apps]] and web clips, and create multiple pages by dragging an application to the side of the screen. If the Home button is pressed, the icons will stop wiggling and apps can be opened again.<ref>[https://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/homescreen.html Apple – iPod touch features] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823040035/https://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/features/homescreen.html |date=August 23, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.macworld.com/article/1131616/iphone_update.html First Look: iPhone 1.1.3 (Macworld)]</ref>

In July 2008, third-party applications were introduced with [[IPhone OS 2|iPhone OS 2.0.]] These applications are installed through the [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] and deleted with the traditional "wiggle mode" method.

In June 2009, in [[iPhone OS 3]], Spotlight Search was added to the SpringBoard. This allowed the user to search for applications and other files stored in the iPhone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Welcome to iPhone OS3.0 |url=https://www.iphonelife.com/issues/Summer09/WelcomeToIphone3.0 |work=iPhone Life |date=Summer 2009}}</ref>

In June 2010, in [[iOS 4]], home screen wallpapers were introduced to the SpringBoard. Folders were introduced as well: dragging an application on top of another application while in "wiggle mode" will result in a folder being created. After that, more applications may be added to that folder by dragging an application on top of the folder. Applications can be removed from a folder by simply dragging it out into the main home screen. Folders can be removed by removing every application from the folder.

In June 2013, in [[iOS 7]], a brand new design of the home screen was introduced, including the redesigned icons, status bar, and dock. Spotlight Search can only be accessed in a new way.

In June 2016, [[iOS 10]] was revealed in WWDC 16, where some of the pre-installed apps are allowed to be "deleted", where they are actually hidden from the home screen rather than actually be uninstalled.<ref>{{cite news | title=The Talk Show Live From WWDC 2016: John Gruber with Phil Schiller and Craig Federighi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpCQk1pYFco&t=2149s|website=Youtube}}</ref> On [[iOS jailbreaking|jailbroken devices]], unsigned applications (applications installed through [[Cydia]]) cannot be deleted by the traditional method of holding a finger on the application and selecting delete as they are installed as System applications. Instead, they need to be removed through Cydia, unless CyDelete is installed, allowing that method to be used.

In June 2017, with the announcement of [[iOS 11]], several app icons have been redesigned, such as the App Store and the iTunes Store. In September, [[iPhone X]] was introduced, coming with a new gesture to access the home screen by swiping up the "Home Indicator" rather than clicking the home button.

In June 2019, when Dark Mode was first coming to iPhone with [[iOS 13]], the home screen gained new contextual menus and dark appearance as well as a dark version of wallpaper (dimmed version of photo if system wallpapers aren't being used). In the same year iOS on the iPad was separated as "[[iPadOS]]".

In June 2020, [[iOS 14]] was announced with some big changes to the SpringBoard. Widgets were added along with what Apple called the App Library. With the addition of an app library, users are now able to remove apps from their Home Screen without actually uninstalling them, which was impossible in prior versions of iOS.

In June 2021, [[iOS 15]] allowed users to move and manage home screen pages.

In June 2022, with [[iOS 16]], a new continuous wallpaper can be applied to the home screen.

In June 2023, with [[iOS 17]], widgets (introduced with iOS 14) are now interactive.

In June 2024, [[iOS 18]] was announced bringing changes to SpringBoard with the introduction of dark and tinted app icons, a new large variant of app icons and widgets were made more easily resizable.

Researchers found that on mobile devices users organize icons on their SpringBoards mainly based on usage-frequency and relatedness of the applications, as well as for reasons of usability and aesthetics.<ref>Matthias Böhmer, Antonio Krüger. [http://matthiasboehmer.de/2013/01/study-on-icon-arrangement/ A Study on Icon Arrangement by Smartphone Users] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512183243/http://matthiasboehmer.de/2013/01/study-on-icon-arrangement/ |date=May 12, 2013 }}. In Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '13). ACM, New York, NY, USA, 2137–2146.</ref>

===Spotlight Search===
In June 2008, Spotlight Search was added to SpringBoard. It can be accessed by swiping left from the first page of the Home Screen.

In June 2013, in [[iOS 7]], instead of swiping left on the first page of apps, Spotlight Search can only be accessed by swiping down on the home screen.<ref>{{cite news | title=How to Use Spotlight Search in iOS 7 |url=https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/how-to-use-spotlight-search-in-ios-7}}</ref>

In June 2015, with the announcement of [[iOS 9]], swiping left to access Spotlight Search was re-enabled on certain models, coming along with some new features like Siri Suggestions. This re-enablement was only supported on iOS devices with an [[Apple A6|A6 Chip]] or later, which means that on [[Apple A5|A5]]/[[Apple A5X|A5X]] devices like [[iPhone 4S]], [[iPod Touch 5]] and [[iPad 3]], Spotlight Search can still only be accessed by swiping down on the home screen.

In June 2016, however, in [[iOS 10]], one could open Today View by swiping left, instead of the traditional Spotlight Search suggestions, which can still be accessed by swiping down from the home screen. Also, Spotlight Search can be accessed through the search bar in the Notification Center.

In June 2022, with [[iOS 16]], one could also access Spotlight by clicking the "Search Button".<ref>{{cite news |title=7 crucial iOS 16 features that Apple didn't tell you about |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/ios-16-features-you-might-have-missed|date=2022-06-08|publisher=Digital Trends}}</ref>

===Home Screen App Icon Layout===
Before 2012, all iOS devices (not including [[iPad]]) have the home screen icon layout of 4(columns) x 4(rows). This excludes the dock, which is 1x4. The layout on an [[iPad]] in portrait position will appear to be 4x5, and in landscape it will appear to be 5x4, excluding the dock.

In 2012, with the introduction of the [[iPhone 5]], the screen icon layout was changed to 4x5 since the screen has become longer (from an aspect ratio of 3:4 to 9:16). The layout on an iPad was unchanged.

In September 2014, the [[iPhone 6]] brought a new 4.7 inch screen size, keeping the same ratio as the 4-inch sizes, allowing for a 4x6 app layout. Also, the [[iPhone 6 Plus]] first brought the landscape home screen to iPhones.<ref>{{cite news | title=Get the iPhone 6 Plus' Resolution & Home Screen Landscape Mode on Your iPhone 6| url=https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/get-iphone-6-plus-resolution-home-screen-landscape-mode-your-iphone-6-0158455/}}</ref>

In September 2017, the [[iPhone 8 Plus]] was released. Despite iOS versions, the iPhone 8 Plus is the last iPhone that still supports a landscape home screen.

In the same "Apple Special Event", [[iPhone X]] was released with an even more "Long" aspect ratio of 9:19.5 (1125 x 2436). However, the app layout was still 4x6.

In 2019, with [[iPadOS 13]], users could choose a more compact home screen. In the new compact home screen, icons could be displayed in a layout of 6x5 in both portrait and landscape modes.

In 2020, with [[iOS 14]], widgets could be put on the home screen of the iPhone.

In 2021, with [[iPadOS 15]], widgets could be put on the [[iPad]] home screen as well. Hence, the new compact home screen was changed. If no widgets were placed on the home screen, the layout would be 5x6 for portrait, and 6x5 for landscape. If there was a widget, even with the smallest size, the layout would be 4x6 for portrait, and 6x4 for landscape. Due to the increased freedom and complexity of the new home screen on [[iPad]], this is just a rough listing of facts.<ref>{{cite news| title=iPadOS 15 ruined my iPad's homescreen|url=https://www.theverge.com/22689453/ipados-15-home-screen-icons-widgets-grid-features-design}}</ref>

===Multitasking View===
In 2010, multitasking was introduced with [[iOS 4]]. By double-clicking the home button, the screen would lift up to free up the space for a multitasking drawer. In this drawer, all the running apps, excluding the app currently running, would show up as an icon. Long pressing one could trigger the "wiggle mode" with a little "-" button on the top-left corner of every icon. Tapping the "-" button would close the app.<ref>{{cite news | title=Apple's iOS 4 Explored| url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/3779/apples-ios-4-explored/2|publisher=AnandTech|date=2010-06-22}}</ref>

In June 2013 with [[iOS 7]], the multitasking view was redesigned. By double-clicking the home button, the multitasking view appeared as cards. Each card was a screenshot of the corresponding app. They were listed from left to right, and under them was the icon with its app name. On the leftmost place, there was a screenshot of the home screen as well. Swiping a corresponding card up would close an app.<ref>{{cite news | title=iOS 7 How-to: Use the new multitasking interface| url=https://9to5mac.com/2013/09/18/ios-7-how-to-use-the-new-multitasking-interface/}}</ref>

In June 2014 with [[iOS 8]], quick actions to contacts were added to the multitasking view. When entering multitasking, contact avatars appeared at the very top of the list of cards. By clicking them, one could get to further actions, such as [[FaceTime]], Messages, and Phone Call.<ref>{{cite news | title=How to use multitasking contacts in iOS 8| url=https://www.imore.com/how-use-multitasking-contacts-ios-8}}</ref>

In June 2015 with [[iOS 9]], the multitasking view was redesigned and the quick action to contacts was removed. The cards were lifted on top of each other from left to right with the icon and app name on top of it. In the rightmost position of the list is the view of the home screen.

In June 2017 with [[iOS 11]], the home screen view no longer appeared in the multitasking view. After [[iOS 11]] Developer Beta 3, if all apps were closed, SpringBoard would directly display the home screen. In previous versions of [[iOS 11]] Developer Beta, a [[Gaussian blur]] effect would occur over the home screen, and clicking the home button would return to the home screen. Before [[iOS 11]] (and after [[iOS 7]]), the screenshot of the home screen would stay and, in the same way, clicking the home button could return home as well.<ref>{{cite news | title=100+ NEW iOS 11 Beta 3 Features & Changes!| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB2ch1O0IIA&t=229s}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Learn all the new gestures for iPhone X| url=https://www.cultofmac.com/511619/new-iphone-x-gestures/}}</ref>

Before [[iOS 11]] (and after [[iOS 7]]), multitasking on an iPad could only be accessed by double-clicking the home button or swiping up with five fingers (if enabled in settings). In [[iOS 11]] on iPad, a single swiping up from the bottom of the screen would bring up a newly designed dock. By continuing swiping, a new grid-like multitasking view would appear, along with the redesigned [[Control Center (Apple)|Control Center]]. Double-clicking the home button or swiping up with five fingers was not removed. In fact, [[iOS 11]] on the iPad was the only iOS version where [[Control Center (Apple)|Control Center]] and Multitasking were merged.<ref>{{cite news | title=iOS 11: How multitasking and the Dock work on the iPad | url=https://www.macworld.com/article/230337/ios-11-multitasking-dock.html}}</ref>

Since September 2017 with [[iPhone X]], multitasking could be accessed by swiping up the Home Indicator and pausing.

In June 2018, the [[Control Center (Apple)|Control Center]] was removed from the Multitasking view in [[iOS 12]] on the [[iPad]].

On the [[IPad Pro (3rd generation)|iPad Pro 2018]], the home button was removed. Therefore, double-clicking the home button to access the multitasking view was replaced with the same mechanic introduced with the iPhone X.

In December 2018, iOS 12.1.2 was released to the public with a new closing animation in the multitasking view. The previous animation, where screenshots simply move all the way up to disappear, was said to violate the patent claims in China. In the new animation, the screenshot slides up a little and fades away in the meantime. This feature is only introduced to users in China.<ref>{{cite news |title=iOS 12.1.2 Introduces Changes To Counter Qualcomm Patent Claims in China, Including New Multitasking Animation| url=https://www.redmondpie.com/ios-12.1.2-introduces-changes-to-counter-qualcomm-patent-claims-in-china-including-new-multitasking-animation/}}</ref> The animation was brought back again with iOS 12.3 Beta 3.<ref>{{cite news | title=iOS开发版更新内容曝光 上滑清除动画将回归 | url=https://www.sohu.com/a/309853306_255783}}</ref>

In 2021, with [[iPadOS 15]], a multitasking menu appears at the top of apps in iPads, letting users enter Split View or Slide Over more easily.

In 2022, with [[iPadOS 16]], Stage Manager (only available on select iPads) gives [[iPad]] users access to a multi-window view for multitasking.<ref>{{cite news | title=Apple Resizes the iPad's Workflow with Stage Manager| url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/13/apple-resizes-the-ipads-workflow-with-stage-manager/}}</ref>

==Others==
Since 2019, native icons (for instance, tab bar icons) are replaced by SF Symbols.

==Jailbroken devices==
{{See also|iOS jailbreaking}}

===Photos of icons===
The layout of the SpringBoard is in a [[property list]] file {{mono|/var/mobile/Library/SpringBoard/IconState.plist}}.

In iPhone OS/iOS versions before 1.1.3, jailbreaking patched the SpringBoard for displaying third-party applications.

In iPhone OS/iOS versions 1.1.3 and beyond, patching is no longer required as SpringBoard natively renders third-party icons. Jailbroken applications are however stored in /Applications, instead of Apple's native third-party application folder of /var/mobile/Applications.

===Customization===

====Themes====
The SpringBoard on jailbroken devices can be customized with [[Theme (computing)|themes]] or [[Skin (computing)|skins]]. These can be applied through theming "platforms" such as WinterBoard ([[iOS 2]] – [[iOS 9]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cydia.saurik.com/package/winterboard/|title=WinterBoard · Cydia|website=cydia.saurik.com|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> Anemone ([[iOS 7]] – [[iOS 11]]),<ref>{{Citation|title=Anemone, a revolutionary theming engine for iOS 7 to iOS 10! Theme more than just images!: AnemoneTeam/Anemone|date=March 1, 2019|url=https://github.com/AnemoneTeam/Anemone|publisher=AnemoneTeam|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> the more recent SnowBoard ([[IOS 7|iOS 11]] – [[iOS 14.3]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yalujailbreak.net/snowboard/|title=How to set up and use SnowBoard (Anemone alternative)|date=October 5, 2018|website=Yalu Jailbreak|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> and iThemer ([[iOS 11]] – [[iOS 12]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DODGraphics|title=DOD Graphics (@DODGraphics) {{!}} Twitter|via=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2019-06-04}}</ref> All of these theming "engines" can be installed via third-party [[Package manager|package managers]] on [[jailbroken]] devices such as [[Cydia]], Sileo, Zebra, and [[Installer 5]]. Applications and user interface elements of SpringBoard can be manually themed but most users choose to use these theming platforms as they are more stable, straightforward, and offer features such as the ability to easily enable/disable themes seamlessly whenever the user chooses. [[Cydia]] can be installed via third-party jailbreaking software such as the more recent applications unc0ver ([[iOS 11]] – [[iOS 14]]),<ref>{{Citation|last=Pwn20wnd|title=GitHub - pwn20wndstuff/Undecimus: unc0ver jailbreak for iOS 11.0: 12.1.2.|date=March 4, 2019|url=https://github.com/pwn20wndstuff/Undecimus|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> Checkra1n for A7-A11 (in beta, [[iOS 12]] {{En dash}} [[iOS 14]] are supported, while other, newer versions work are experimental),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://checkra1n.in/|title=Checkra1n|website=checkra1n.in|language=en|access-date=2022-01-07}}</ref> Chimera for A12 ([[iOS 12]], Sileo as the default package manager instead of Cydia),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://chimera.sh/|title=Chimera|website=chimera.sh|language=en|access-date=2019-06-04}}</ref> Chimera's predecessor and successor Electra ([[iOS 11]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coolstar.org/electra/|title=Electra|website=coolstar.org|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> and Cheyote (unreleased).

Themes can have a variety of changes to the appearance of SpringBoard, mainly on the homescreen icon appearance. However themes also change elements of the user interface such as the dock, folder backgrounds and icons inside settings.

====SpringBoard replacements====
The default SpringBoard can be changed with tweaks like FrontPage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://junesiphone.com/frontpage/|title=FrontPage API|website=junesiphone.com|access-date=2019-06-04}}</ref>

==Bugs==
==="effective power" bug===
A [[bug (computer)|bug]] was discovered in May 2015 where users pasted a certain set of [[character (symbol)|characters]] and [[Unicode]] in a set order, causing the SpringBoard to crash and relaunch, which displays a black or white screen and white or black Apple logo (depending on the color of the user's device) that looks identical to the boot screen.<ref name="Crash1">{{cite web|url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/05/26/bug-in-ios-notifications-handling-crashes-iphones-with-a-simple-text|title=Bug in iOS Unicode handling crashes iPhones with a simple text|date=May 26, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|publisher=[[Apple Insider]]}}</ref><ref name="Crash5">{{cite web|url=http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/corrupt-icloud-data-can-cause-ios-springboard-home-screen-crash|title=Corrupt iCloud Data Causes iOS SpringBoard Home Screen Crash (with Fix!)|date=June 18, 2015|access-date=June 18, 2015|publisher=The Mac Observer}}</ref> The phenomenon was later narrowed down to it only happening when the message was shown via the notification drop-down or the [[lock screen]]; the bug thus could be mitigated by disabling this.<ref name="Crash2}">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/iphone-effective-power-bug-how-to-be-safe-from-ios-flaw-that-lets-people-crash-iphone-with-text-10280801.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/iphone-effective-power-bug-how-to-be-safe-from-ios-flaw-that-lets-people-crash-iphone-with-text-10280801.html |archive-date=May 24, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=iPhone 'effective power' text: how to be safe from iOS bug that lets people crash your phone|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|work=[[The Independent]]|first1=Andrew|last1=Griffin}}</ref> If the message is unread and the victim opens the [[iMessage]] app or any other app that received the message then that app would crash.<ref name="Crash3}">{{cite web|url=http://www.macrumors.com/2015/05/26/ios-bug-crashing-iphones-with-text-message/|title=New iOS Bug Crashing iPhones Simply by Receiving a Text Message|date=May 26, 2015|access-date=May 29, 2015|publisher=[[MacRumors]]|first1=Juli |last1=Clover}}</ref>

The code most commonly used to trigger the bug was:<ref name="ForbesCrashGlitch">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2015/05/29/apple-effective-power-bug/|work=[[Forbes]]|first1=Amit|last1=Chowdhry|date=May 29, 2015|access-date=June 2, 2015|title=Apple Acknowledges Disastrous iPhone Messages Bug, Suggests This Temporary Fix}}</ref>
{{quote box|align=left|quote=
effective. Power لُلُصّبُلُلصّبُررً ॣ ॣh ॣ ॣ 冗
}}{{-}}
The "effective." section was not required for the bug to work.<ref name="Crash1"/> The bug affected [[iPhone]]s, the [[Apple Watch]] and [[iPod Touch]], [[Mac computers|Mac]] computers and [[iPads]].

With the release of iOS 8.4 on June 30, 2015, the "effective. Power" bug has been fixed.

===12:15 AM bug===
Since the release of iOS 11, some users were complaining about random reboots on their iPhone or iPod Touch caused by the clock reaching 12:15 am every night.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/national/glitch-forces-iphones-to-reboot-over-and-over|title=Glitch forces iPhones to reboot over and over|website=abcactionnews.com|date=December 3, 2017 |access-date=2024-04-16}}</ref> This issue was fixed with the release of the iOS 11.2 update.

===CVE-2018-4124===
Shortly after the release of [[iOS 11]] a bug ({{CVE|2018-4124}}) was discovered that would cause the SpringBoard to crash and relaunch, which displays a black or white screen and white or black Apple logo (depending on the color of the user's device) that looks identical to the boot screen.<ref name="Crash1" /><ref name="Crash5" /> This happens due to an issue with the CoreText component. Viewing the character on devices running [[iOS|iOS 11]] – [[iOS 11]].3 causes a denial of service due to memory corruption.

The character was:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-4124#VulnChangeHistorySection|title=NVD – CVE-2018-4124|website=nvd.nist.gov|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref><blockquote>జ్ఞ‌ా </blockquote>Apple later patched this bug with the release of [[IOS 11|iOS 11.2.6]]. The reason why an iPhone crashes is because the font that iPhones use does not support the character.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208534|title=About the security content of iOS 11.2.6|website=Apple Support|date=February 19, 2018 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>

==Application loading==
As of iOS 4.3.3, SpringBoard looks for applications in the {{mono|/Applications}} and {{mono|/var/mobile/Applications}} directories of the iPhone's filesystem to display on the home screen.

==Use in macOS==
{{Main article| Launchpad (macOS)}}
[[Mac OS X Lion]] and later versions include a feature called 'Launchpad", based on the appearance of SpringBoard in iOS. It includes the same features (like folders), but was not made as the home screen, more as an extension on the dock (like [[Dashboard (Mac OS)|Dashboard]]).

Before the Developer Preview of [[Mac OS X Lion]], SpringBoard was renamed Launchpad. Even though the name displayed in the dock remains the same, the images used to make up Launchpad are still named "SpringBoard" (or "sb"), and can be found in {{mono|/System/Library/CoreServices/Dock.app/Contents/Resources}}.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{iOS}}
{{OS X}}

[[Category:iOS software]]