📱 iOS 17.0+

Apple introduced PhaseAnimator in iOS 17.0 to simplify creating complex, phased animations. If you've ever needed to coordinate animations across multiple states, PhaseAnimator might just become your new best friend.

Apple's Documentation

A container that animates its content between different phases. Use a phase animator to create multi-stage animations by specifying a set of phase values.

Usage

At its core, PhaseAnimator allows you to define animations across distinct phases. Let’s look at an example:

struct PhaseAnimatorExample: View {
    @State private var currentPhase: Int = 0

    var body: some View {
        PhaseAnimator([0, 1, 2]) { phase in
            Circle()
                .frame(width: phase == 0 ? 50 : (phase == 1 ? 100 : 150))
                .foregroundStyle(phase == 0 ? .blue : (phase == 1 ? .green : .red))
        } animation: { phase in
            switch phase {
            case 0: .easeIn(duration: 0.5)
            case 1: .spring(response: 0.6, dampingFraction: 0.8)
            default: .linear(duration: 0.3)
            }
        }
    }
}

Here, we define three phases, each with unique content and animation styles. The phases cycle through on tap, showcasing how PhaseAnimator dynamically transitions between states.

Advanced Customization

PhaseAnimator also enables synchronizing animations across multiple views or incorporating custom animations. Here's an example with coordinated views:

struct CoordinatedPhaseAnimator: View {
    @State private var phase: Int = 0

    var body: some View {
        VStack {
            PhaseAnimator([0, 1, 2]) { phase in
                Text("Phase \(phase)")
                    .font(.largeTitle)
                    .monospacedDigit()
                    .opacity(phase == 0 ? 1 : 0.5)
                    .contentTransition(.numericText())
            } animation: { _ in
                .easeInOut(duration: 0.8)
            }

            PhaseAnimator([0, 1, 2]) { phase in
                Rectangle()
                    .frame(width: phase == 0 ? 100 : 200, height: 50)
                    .foregroundStyle(phase == 1 ? .blue : .orange)
            } animation: { _ in
                .spring(response: 0.5, dampingFraction: 0.7)
            }
        }
    }
}

The above demonstrates how multiple views can respond to the same phase transitions, resulting in synchronized animations.

Visual Examples

These visual examples show how phases are reflected in the UI, providing smooth transitions between distinct states.

Taking It Further

For advanced use cases, PhaseAnimator can be combined with other SwiftUI tools to create highly tailored and interactive animations:

• Custom Animation Curves: Experiment with .easeInOut, .spring, and .linear to find the most natural-feeling animations for your app. Each phase can have its own unique curve, giving you fine control over how transitions unfold.
• Dynamic Data-Driven Phases: Use PhaseAnimator with state variables derived from real-time data, such as user input or sensor readings, to create adaptive animations that respond to your app's environment.
• Integration with MatchedGeometryEffect: While PhaseAnimator handles phased animations, MatchedGeometryEffect can add seamless transitions between views, making your animations even more cohesive.
• Chained Animations: By nesting or sequencing PhaseAnimator instances, you can build intricate, multi-step animations that tell a story or guide users through a flow.

The flexibility of PhaseAnimator makes it an invaluable tool for building animations that not only look great but also provide meaningful, context-aware interactions.

Conclusion

PhaseAnimator is a game-changing addition to SwiftUI for developers looking to build fluid and expressive interfaces. Whether you’re designing a dynamic onboarding experience or crafting multi-step transitions, it simplifies and enhances animation workflows.

Explore the potential of PhaseAnimator in your next project, and bring your UI to life!