SF Symbols Reference

Complete API reference for SF Symbols rendering modes, animation effects, configuration options, and UIKit/AppKit equivalents. Covers iOS 13 symbol display through iOS 26 Draw animations and gradient rendering.

When to Use This Reference

Use this reference when:

• You need exact API signatures for rendering modes or symbol effects
• You need UIKit/AppKit equivalents for SwiftUI symbol APIs
• You need platform availability for a specific feature
• You need configuration options (weight, scale, variable values)
• You need custom symbol template structure and Draw annotation details
• You want to verify a symbol name exists, or check one symbol's availability and supported rendering modes, without opening the SF Symbols app

Example Prompts

Questions you can ask Claude that will draw from this reference:

• "What's the exact SwiftUI modifier for Hierarchical rendering?"
• "How do I add a Bounce effect in UIKit?"
• "Which symbol effects are available on iOS 17 vs iOS 18?"
• "How do I combine rendering mode with symbol effects?"
• "What's the UIKit equivalent of .contentTransition(.symbolEffect(.replace))?"
• "How do I create a custom symbol with Draw animation support?"
• "Is gauge.with.needle a real symbol name, and does it exist on iOS 16?"
• "Which rendering modes does this symbol actually support?"
• "How do I export a symbol to SVG or PNG from the command line?"

What's Covered

• Symbol display – SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit configuration APIs
• Rendering modes – All 4 modes with complete SwiftUI and UIKit signatures
• Symbol effects – 12+ effects (Bounce through Draw On/Off) with options and protocols
• UIKit reference – addSymbolEffect(), removeSymbolEffect(), setSymbolImage(), completion handlers
• Custom symbols – Template structure, Draw annotation, weight interpolation
• Platform availability matrix – iOS 13+ through iOS 26+, cross-platform
• The sfsymbols CLI – search and export, where the binary hides (inside the SF Symbols app, not Xcode and not on PATH), per-symbol availability via --json, --min-platform deployment-target filtering, and why a zero-result search still exits 0
• Accessibility – Labels, Reduce Motion, Bold Text, Dynamic Type
• Common patterns – Notification badge, WiFi strength, play/pause, download progress

Documentation Scope

This page documents the axiom-design skill — the comprehensive API reference Claude uses for SF Symbols implementation details.

For decision guidance: See SF Symbols for rendering mode decision trees, effect selection guidance, anti-patterns, and troubleshooting.

Related

• SF Symbols – Decision trees, anti-patterns, troubleshooting, pressure scenarios
• SwiftUI Animation – General animation reference (VectorArithmetic, @Animatable, springs)
• HIG Reference – Icon and symbol design guidelines
• Typography – SF Pro font that symbols are designed to match

Resources

WWDC: 2023-10257, 2023-10258, 2024-10188, 2025-337

Docs: /symbols, /symbols/symboleffect, /symbols/symbolrenderingmode, /uikit/uiimage/symbolconfiguration