What Is a Toggle?

Toggle is a simple user interface element that helps people update preferences, settings, and other information. Its main purpose is to provide users with a clear choice between two opposing states, such as on and off. When used correctly, toggle switches help reduce cognitive load by removing the need to read more text or other visual cues.

In software, toggles are typically found in options menus and other places where there are many different choices. They also appear on hardware, such as keyboards, where they are used to activate special functions. In most cases, toggles are labelled with clear descriptions of their function so that they can be clearly understood by users.

The design of toggles can vary between platforms, with some using different styles and providing extra visual cues that are specific to the platform. For example, on some platforms toggle switches look like sliders and use animation to signal changes in state. It is important that the designs of toggles are consistent across platforms to avoid confusion and ensure that they function consistently.

Ideally, toggles are applied when there is an immediate effect that requires no other input. However, if the switch has an indeterminate state then it might be better to use a radio button or checkbox instead.

Toggles can be implemented with ion-toggle, which provides a simplified syntax that reduces the amount of boilerplate needed to setup the component. It also resolves accessibility issues and improves the developer experience. To learn more about the syntax and how to configure the toggle, check out the official documentation on the ion-toggle website.