Platform-specific configuration
FlowX.AI UI Designer provides platform-specific configuration and styling for components across Web, iOS, and Android platforms. Understanding platform differences and capabilities is essential for creating optimal user experiences.Platform overview
Supported platforms
Web
Full Feature Support
- Complete navigation area functionality
- Zones with headers and footers
- Wizard and single-page navigation
- All UI component types supported
iOS
Mobile-Optimized
- Basic navigation areas
- Screen title configuration for navigation bar
- Scrollable property for root card components
- Platform-specific property overrides
Android
Mobile-Optimized
- Basic navigation areas
- Screen title configuration for navigation bar
- Platform-specific property overrides
- Material design considerations
Web platform features
Navigation capabilities
Full Navigation Support: Web platform provides the most comprehensive navigation features.Zone Navigation
Zone Navigation
Navigation Types
Navigation Types
Component Support
Full Component Library: Web platform supports all UI component types without restrictions.Mobile Platform Features
iOS Platform Specifics
iOS-Specific Properties:Screen Title: Set the screen title used in the navigation bar on mobile devices (available only when the card element is set as the root)Scrollable Property: Define the desired behavior of the screen, specifying whether it should be scrollable or not (default: true)
Android Platform Specifics
Screen Configuration
Screen Configuration
Android-Specific Features:Screen Title: Set the screen title used in the navigation bar on mobile devices (available only when the card element is set as the root)Material Design Considerations: Android components adapt to Material Design principles where applicable
Device Variations
Device Variations
Android Ecosystem:
- Multiple screen sizes and densities
- Different Android versions
- Manufacturer-specific customizations
- Hardware capability variations
Platform override system
Configuration hierarchy
1
Generic Settings
Base Configuration: Properties available cross-platform (Web, Android and iOS), serving as the default for all platforms.
2
Platform Overrides
Specific Customizations: Override generic settings for individual platforms to optimize user experience.
3
Preview and Testing
Visual Validation: Preview changes across platforms, keeping in mind that iOS and Android previews are estimates.
Implementing overrides
To configure platform-specific overrides:1
Access Platform Settings
From the UI Designer navigation panel, select the Settings tab, then select the desired platform (Web, iOS, or Android).
2
Add Override
Click the ”+” button (next to “Overrides”) and select the type of override:
- Properties: Override component properties (e.g., Title, Subtitle, Helper text)
- Expressions: Override hide/show conditions
3
Configure Value
Enter the platform-specific value that differs from the generic setting.
4
Import/Export
Use the import/push functionality to share overrides between platforms when appropriate.
Available override types
Common Property Overrides:
- Title: Shorter titles for mobile displays
- Subtitle: Platform-appropriate subtitles
- Helper Text: Context-specific help information
- Labels: Adapted for platform conventions
Platform limitations and constraints
Component availability
Component Type | Web | iOS | Android | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Container | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full support across platforms |
Card | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Mobile has additional screen title property |
Custom | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Web-only component |
Form Elements | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full support with platform adaptations |
Navigation Areas | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | Limited on mobile (no headers/footers) |
⚠️ = Limited functionality or platform-specific constraints
❌ = Not supported on platform
Navigation limitations
Mobile Navigation Constraints
Mobile Navigation Constraints
Cross-Platform Consistency
Cross-Platform Consistency
Challenges:
- Different navigation capabilities across platforms
- Varying screen sizes and interaction methods
- Platform-specific design conventions
- Use generic settings as baseline
- Apply strategic platform overrides
- Test across all target platforms
- Design for the most constrained platform first
Platform-specific best practices
Web platform optimization
Navigation Design
Leverage Web Capabilities:
- Use full zone navigation with headers/footers
- Implement wizard navigation for complex flows
- Take advantage of larger screen real estate
- Use single-page forms with card organization
Layout Strategy
Web-Specific Layouts:
- Utilize horizontal space effectively
- Implement complex grid layouts
- Support both single-page and wizard navigation
- Consider desktop interaction patterns
Mobile platform optimization
1
Screen Space Management
Mobile Constraints:
- Smaller screen sizes require condensed content
- Use shorter titles and labels
- Prioritize essential information
- Consider thumb-friendly interaction zones
2
Platform Integration
Mobile-Specific Features:
- Configure screen titles for navigation bars
- Set appropriate scrollable behavior (iOS)
- Consider platform design conventions
- Test on actual devices when possible
3
Content Adaptation
Mobile Content Strategy:
- Use platform overrides for mobile-optimized text
- Simplify complex interactions
- Ensure touch targets are appropriately sized
- Test with realistic content lengths
Testing across platforms
Preview limitations
Important: The preview generated in the UI Designer for iOS and Android platforms is an estimate meant to help you visualize how it might look on a mobile view. Actual device testing is recommended for production applications.
Testing Strategy
Platform Switching
Platform Switching
UI Designer Testing:
- Use platform tabs to switch between Web, iOS, and Android views
- Compare layouts and content across platforms
- Validate platform overrides are applied correctly
- Check navigation behavior differences
Content Validation
Content Validation
Cross-Platform Content:
- Verify text fits within mobile constraints
- Test with longest expected translations
- Ensure critical information is visible on all platforms
- Validate platform-specific features function correctly
Functionality Testing
Functionality Testing
Feature Validation:
- Test navigation flows on each platform
- Verify platform-specific components work as expected
- Validate hide/show expressions across platforms
- Test conditional styling behavior
Migration and maintenance
Platform updates
Override Management: Settings overrides can always be imported/pushed from one platform to another, making it easier to maintain consistency while allowing for platform-specific optimizations.
Maintenance best practices
1
Regular Testing
Test your interfaces across all target platforms regularly, especially after making changes to generic settings or platform overrides.
2
Documentation
Document platform-specific decisions and overrides to help team members understand the rationale behind platform differences.
3
Consistency Monitoring
Regularly review platform overrides to ensure they still serve their intended purpose and maintain overall design consistency.
Understanding platform-specific considerations helps you create interfaces that work well across all target platforms while taking advantage of each platform’s unique capabilities and respecting their constraints.