12

Is a back button a good idea for mobile?

(Disregard breadcrumbs on mobile in the image - those are addressed here Breadcrumbs: OK to use on mobile site?)

back button + breadcrumbs on mobile?

Improve this question
1

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
13

The back button in apps depends largely on which platform you're developing for. Here's a few use cases. Back button on Android and iOS in the Facebook app

Android apps

Android phones typically have a soft key for the back button. The function is to go to the previous page. This is referred to as temporal navigation. According to the Android design principles, arrow in the action bar is to go one level up. This is referred to as hierarchal navigation. (http://developer.android.com/design/patterns/navigation.html)


iOS apps

The back button is used for hierarchal navigation to go to where they came from. Definitely needed on most pages, since there's no other way for the user to go back to where he came from. (https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/userexperience/conceptual/mobilehig/)

Improve this answer
2
  • +1 for bringing up the Android/iOS example with facebook
    – Felix Alcala
    Commented Jan 23, 2014 at 10:10
  • I was expecting this answer.
    – Abhishek Sharma
    Commented Aug 2, 2017 at 7:15
3

No, because often on a mobile device, the user can be temporarily distracted and attention can be sporadic. Mobile users multitask more often.

For this reason, you don't want to have to put the onus on the user to remember where they came from (in order to make the decision of where they want to go next).

In any case a back button on a mobile device can be confused with the back button on the device itself.

A better way to think of it is to add a Done button on the page, which whilst it might do the same thing as the back button, actually aligns better with the user's thought processes - ie I'm done here, take it away and put me somewhere useful to move on

In addition, by making the 'Back' button the only way out, you effectively have led the user up a dead end, leaving them to back out. Never block the user - always make them feel like they are progressing forward, not having to backtrack. Do this by always giving navigation options relevant to the scenario they find themselves in.

Update - websites and native apps:

I think it's worth saying that there is a distinction between standalone apps, and websites (as displayed in a browser). By websites, I mean website pages, web apps, and websites that behave like apps.

For native apps where the browser is not the interface to the device, then as others have pointed out, you would need some method of adhering to the expected design and behaviour that users will be used to using with other apps on their device.

I deliberately worded that last sentence carefully because if for example on iOS you need a back button on your app, you should look at the design guidelines, as even re-positioning the back button to an unexpected position or making it look different to how users expect could throw them completely.

Improve this answer
4
  • thanks, but I'm not sure I'd assume "done" takes me to the previous page, as a back button would. Looking fwd to others' comments.
    – Mark Gavagan
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 15:13
  • 2
    I didn't mean the user would assume 'done' takes the user to the previous page. The user just knows they're done, so clicks 'done'. If that happens to go to where they came from all well and good, but maybe it just takes them to the next item (although to be honest swipe actions + cues might be better for sideways navigation)
    – Roger Attrill
    Commented Jan 21, 2014 at 15:20
  • Also, remember that some devices(e.g. iPhone, iPad) might not have a back button. So you might need to implement a way for letting users go back in your application.
    – jff
    Commented Jan 22, 2014 at 11:49
  • Even some websites have Back Button. If your making an app for iOS it is very important to have back button.
    – Abhishek Sharma
    Commented Aug 2, 2017 at 7:14
2

if it's a mobile site, then the device browser will have a back button (or an action that functions as 'back'). If it's an iOS app, then use the iOS guidelines https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/userexperience/conceptual/mobilehig/Bars.html

or the relevant device guidelines for Android or Windows.

I would suggest using a back button on a mobile site if you're building a wizard or a form that requires input on each page. Otherwise I wouldn't - a simple breadcrumb that indicates where in the site you are might be worthwhile however.

Improve this answer
2

The Back Button is the most used & useful feature on all devices/platforms and should never be ignored.

The difference on mobile is always about the platform:

  • iOS - you will need a back button for almost everything because you have no way of getting back other than that (you can use gestures but not the best option in all cases);
  • Android - you have a physical back button or touch button on every phone so is not that important, because people are already used to it.

I am talking about applications and back buttons in applications not on websites for example, because websites have the browser back if not for the hardware button.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.