User guide

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 the user wants the audio from another app to continue playing while the game app plays.

Apple recommends the following guidelines:

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Play app sound effects while allowing another app’s audio to play.

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Play app soundtrack audio when other audio is not playing, otherwise allow the previous audio to play.

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Always attempt to reactivate and resume playback after an end interruption event.

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Ignore all route changes unless the app specifically needs to pay attention to them.

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Set the audio category before displaying a video splash on app launch.

Audio Guidelines for User-Controlled Playback and Recording Apps

Video recording apps and apps such as Pandora and Netflix have the same guidelines. These types of apps

use the AVAudioSessionCategoryRecord, AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayAndRecord, or

AVAudioSessionCategoryPlayback categories and allow other apps to mix with them. These types of

apps typically do not duck the audio of other apps. The UI will include a play/pause button or a record/pause

button.

Apple recommends the following guidelines:

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Wait for the user to press the play/record button when the app enters the foreground before activating

the audio session.

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Keep the audio session active throughout the app’s lifetime unless it is interrupted.

Audio Guidelines By App Type