How to use UIStepper to let users change number values

Swift version: 5.2

Paul Hudson    @twostraws    May 28th 2019

UIStepper is one of those controls that doesn’t get used often, which is a shame – it’s trivial to add, and helps users select a value more accurately than a UISlider.

Here’s some code to help you try it out:

let stepper = UIStepper()
stepper.minimumValue = 0
stepper.maximumValue = 10
stepper.value = 5

That tells iOS to let the stepper move from 0 to 10 (inclusive), starting at 0. By default the autorepeat property of steppers is set to true, which means the user can press and hold to increment values rather than tapping repeatedly.

Next, add some code to position your stepper where you want it. This places it at the top of the safe area, aligned to the center:

stepper.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
view.addSubview(stepper)

stepper.topAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.topAnchor).isActive = true
stepper.centerXAnchor.constraint(equalTo: view.safeAreaLayoutGuide.centerXAnchor).isActive = true

Finally, connect an @objc method to the valueChanged event like this:

stepper.addTarget(self, action: #selector(stepperChanged), for: .valueChanged)

SPONSORED Are you tired of wasting time debugging your Swift app? Instabug’s SDK is here to help you minimize debugging time by providing you with complete device details, network logs, and reproduction steps with every bug report. All data is attached automatically, and it only takes a line of code to setup. Start your free trial now and get 3 months off exclusively for the Hacking with Swift Community.

Start your free trial!

Sponsor Hacking with Swift and reach the world's largest Swift community!

Available from iOS 5.0

Similar solutions…

• How to create a random terrain tile map using SKTileMapNode and GKPerlinNoiseSource
• SwiftUI tips and tricks
• How to modify haptic events over time using CHHapticParameterCurve
• How to play custom vibrations using Core Haptics
• What is a monad?

About the Swift Knowledge Base

This is part of the Swift Knowledge Base, a free, searchable collection of solutions for common iOS questions.