--- title: Versions of Apple's interface guidance description: A sourced chronology of surviving Apple interface standards and Human Interface Guidelines. canonical: https://hig.josefrichter.design/versions/ --- # Versions of Apple's interface guidance Apple's documented interface-guideline lineage starts with drafts dated 1978–79. The earliest separately surviving standards document found is *Lisa User Interface Standards*, dated 20 September 1980 and led by Bill Atkinson. Except where an entry explicitly says otherwise, the source archive states no reuse license. A source link is not permission to republish the document. ## 20 Sep 1980 — Lisa User Interface Standards - Platform: Lisa - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Confidential/proprietary Apple notice; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1980%20Lisa%20UI%20Standards.pdf Earliest surviving standards document found; Bill Atkinson is named project leader. ## 1982 — Apple IIe Design Guidelines - Platform: Apple IIe - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1982%20Apple%20IIe%20Design%20Guidelines.pdf An earlier Apple II-specific design document, before the HIG title became standard. ## 1983 — Lisa User Interface Guidelines - Platform: Lisa - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1983%20Lisa%20UI%20Guidelines.pdf Surviving fragments from the shipping Lisa era. ## 21 Mar 1985 — Apple II Human Interface Guidelines — pre-release - Platform: Apple II - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: © Apple Computer, Inc. 1984; all rights reserved. DigiBarn cannot license third-party material - Source: https://digibarn.com/friends/curbow/Apple2HIG1985.pdf Pre-release Apple II manuscript. DigiBarn's wrapper adds a Creative Commons notice, but its own terms say it cannot license third-party works; this site therefore does not republish the document. ## 22 Jul 1986 — Human Interface Guidelines — Second Beta Draft - Platform: Apple desktop - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: © Apple Computer, Inc. 1986; all rights reserved - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1986-07%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20%28Second%20Beta%20Draft%29.pdf John Huber draft circulated for internal review before publication. ## Dec 1986 — Human Interface Guidelines — Final Draft - Platform: Apple desktop - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1986-12%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20%28Final%20Draft%29.pdf Final draft of the cross-platform desktop book. ## 1987 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines: The Apple Desktop Interface - Platform: Apple desktop - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1987%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20-%20The%20Apple%20Desktop%20Interface.pdf The Addison-Wesley edition of Apple's first published desktop-interface book. ## 1992 — Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Macintosh - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1992%20Macintosh%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf The classic Inside Macintosh-era edition. ## 1993 — NeXTSTEP User Interface Guidelines — Release 3 - Platform: NeXTSTEP - Format: PDF scan - License / rights: NeXT copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1993%20NeXTSTEP%20User%20Interface%20Guidelines%20-%20Release%203.pdf Related lineage rather than an Apple publication; included by the source archive. ## 1995 — Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Macintosh - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1995%20Macintosh%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Revised Macintosh edition. ## 1996 — Human Interface Guidelines for Mac OS 8 — WWDC Release - Platform: Mac OS 8 - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1996%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20for%20Mac%20OS%208%20%28WWDC%20Release%29.pdf Pre-release Mac OS 8 guidance distributed at WWDC. ## 1996 — Newton 2.0 User Interface Guidelines - Platform: Newton - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1996%20Newton%202.0%20User%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Pen-computing branch of Apple's interface guidance. ## 1997 — Mac OS 8 Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS 8 - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/1997%20Mac%20OS%208%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Shipping Mac OS 8 edition. ## 2000 — Adopting the Aqua Interface - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2000%20Adopting%20the%20Aqua%20Interface.pdf Transition guidance for the Aqua design language. ## 2001 — Aqua Human Interface Guidelines — Preliminary - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2001%20Aqua%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20%28Preliminary%29.pdf Preliminary Aqua edition. ## 2001 — Aqua Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2001%20Aqua%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf First complete Aqua-era edition in the archive. ## 2002 — Aqua Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2002%20Aqua%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Updated Aqua guidance. ## May 2004 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2004-05%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Mac OS X guidance under the broader Apple HIG title. ## Aug 2004 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2004-08%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Second archived 2004 revision. ## Sep 2005 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2005-09%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived September revision. ## Dec 2005 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2005-12%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived December revision. ## May 2006 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2006-05%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived May revision. ## Oct 2006 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2006-10%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived October revision. ## Jan 2008 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2008-01%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived January revision. ## Jun 2008 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2008-06%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived June revision. ## Nov 2008 — iPhone Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPhone - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2008-11%20iPhone%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Earliest iPhone-specific edition in the archive. ## 2009 — Apple Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Mac OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2009%20Apple%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived desktop edition. ## Nov 2009 — iPhone Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPhone - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2009-11%20iPhone%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Updated iPhone guidance. ## Mar 2010 — iPhone Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPhone - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2010-03%20iPhone%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Pre-iPad 2010 iPhone revision. ## May 2010 — iPad Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPad - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2010-05%20iPad%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Earliest iPad-specific edition in the archive. ## Aug 2010 — iPhone Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPhone - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2010-08%20iPhone%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20.pdf Late iPhone-branded edition before the iOS title took over. ## Sep 2010 — iPad Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iPad - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2010-09%20iPad%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Updated iPad guidance. ## Dec 2010 — iOS Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iOS - Format: EPUB - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2010-12%20iOS%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.epub First iOS-branded edition in the archive. ## 2011 — iOS Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iOS - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2011%20iOS%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived iOS edition. ## 2012 — OS X Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2012%20OS%20X%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf OS X-branded desktop edition. ## 2013 — OS X Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2013%20OS%20X%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Archived OS X edition. ## 2014 — OS X Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: OS X - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2014%20OS%20X%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Last OS X PDF in the source archive. ## 2014 — iOS Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: iOS - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/2014%20iOS%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines.pdf Last iOS PDF in the source archive. ## Undated — iPhone Human Interface Guidelines for Web Applications - Platform: iPhone web - Format: PDF - License / rights: Apple copyright; no reuse license stated - Source: https://github.com/gingerbeardman/apple-human-interface-guidelines/blob/main/iPhone%20Human%20Interface%20Guidelines%20for%20Web%20Applications.pdf Related web-application guidance retained by the archive without a date prefix. ## Current — Human Interface Guidelines - Platform: Apple platforms - Format: Website - License / rights: © Apple Inc.; no reuse license stated - Source: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/ Apple's living, continuously revised guidance.