A toggle is a button or switch that can be flipped to alternate between two states or options. You can find toggles in everyday technology, such as smartphones that allow you to enable or disable WiFi and Bluetooth. Toggles are also used in software applications to switch between different display modes or settings. In the workplace, toggles are commonly used to update preferences or settings. This simple user interface component can make a significant impact on users’ experiences when used effectively.
In UX design, toggles are the preferred control for allowing users to change system settings or preferences because they are more intuitive than radio buttons and offer less screen estate. In addition, toggles come with a pre-selected default state (either ON or OFF), which makes them more efficient than checkboxes. Because of their inherent simplicity, it’s critical to use toggles sparingly and only when they are required.
The word toggle has multiple meanings, but it’s most commonly associated with a mechanical device that allows you to switch between two positions (for example, a light that can be switched between on and off). You can also toggle an image or video frame to show or hide different components. You can even toggle a stream or map view in an app to see different perspectives of the same content at once.
Toggles can be confusing to users if their labels are unclear or ambiguous. The best practice is to write short and direct labels that describe what the toggle will do when it’s on or off. It’s also helpful to utilize visual cues, such as movement and color, to further clarify the toggle’s state.
One of the key considerations when designing a toggle is the choice of color. Toggles should be designed using high-contrast colors so that they are easy to read, regardless of the viewer’s screen type or contrast settings. Additionally, designers should evaluate the societal and cultural implications of color choices. For instance, the color red may not be appropriate for an ON toggle in some cultures, as it is often associated with stop signs and traffic signals.
Many teams manage feature toggle configurations via static files, but this approach can become cumbersome as the team grows. To improve agility and consistency, many organizations move their toggle configurations into some form of centralized store (e.g. an existing application database). This is typically accompanied by the build-out of some form of admin UI to help product managers and testers modify the toggle’s configuration.
While it’s common for teams to test the toggle configuration that will be live in production, it’s equally important for them to test all possible toggle configurations. This includes testing the configuration with all toggles flipped ON, as well as a fallback configuration with all toggles flipped OFF. This can help to prevent unforeseen regressions in future releases.
