Design Mobile Navigation Patterns
Navigation & IA · mobile, navigation
Updated 2026-07-28
- Mobile navigation should prioritize the actions users perform most often.
- Do not shrink desktop navigation into a smaller version.
- Choose patterns based on complexity:
- Bottom navigation for a few primary destinations.
- Tabs for related sections.
- Menus for secondary areas.
- Keep important actions reachable:
- Place frequent actions near the thumb.
- Avoid requiring precise taps.
- Show current location clearly:
- Active states.
- Titles.
- Navigation history.
- Avoid hiding everything behind a menu:
- Hidden options are forgotten options.
- Mobile navigation should feel immediate, not like searching through folders.
- Mobile has limited space, so prioritization matters.
- Choose based on usage:
Bottom navigation:
Drawer:
Tabs:
Search:
- Avoid hiding critical actions behind too many layers.
- Mobile navigation should optimize reach and speed.
Related guides
UX Handbook