Implementing Pull-to-Refresh in Swift for iOS Apps

Implementing Pull-to-Refresh in Swift for iOS Apps

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

Incorporating a pull-to-refresh feature is a common requirement for iOS applications, especially those that present a list of data such as RSS readers. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to implementing pull-to-refresh functionality using Swift, utilizing the built-in UIRefreshControl class.

Understanding UIRefreshControl

UIRefreshControl is a standard control in iOS for enabling pull-to-refresh functionality in scroll views, including UITableView and UICollectionView. This control is straightforward to implement and customize, making it an ideal choice for developers.

Implementing Pull-to-Refresh

Follow these steps to integrate pull-to-refresh in your iOS application:

Step 1: Setup in ViewController

First, create an instance of UIRefreshControl and add it to your table view.

let refreshControl = UIRefreshControl()

override func viewDidLoad() {
   super.viewDidLoad()

   refreshControl.attributedTitle = NSAttributedString(string: "Pull to refresh")
   refreshControl.addTarget(self, action: #selector(refresh(_:)), for: .valueChanged)
   tableView.addSubview(refreshControl) // Not required when using UITableViewController
}

Step 2: Implement the Refresh Logic

Create a method to handle the refresh action. This method should update your data source and reload the table view.

@objc func refresh(_ sender: AnyObject) {
   // Code to refresh the data
   refreshControl.endRefreshing()
}

Advanced Considerations

For applications targeting iOS 10 and above, you can directly assign the refreshControl to the table view:

if #available(iOS 10.0, *) {
  collectionView.refreshControl = refreshControl
} else {
  collectionView.addSubview(refreshControl)
}

This approach is more intuitive and aligns with the scroll view’s properties.

Enhancing Your Development with Repeato

While implementing features like pull-to-refresh, testing becomes crucial. Repeato, a no-code test automation tool, can significantly streamline testing for iOS applications. With its computer vision and AI capabilities, Repeato allows you to record, run, and maintain automated tests effortlessly. This tool supports data-driven testing and offers a robust alternative to other automation tools, eliminating common issues such as scripting language limitations and lack of open-source enhancements.

Explore more about using virtual test devices and other advanced testing techniques with Repeato in our documentation.

By leveraging Repeato, developers can ensure their pull-to-refresh feature and other functionalities work seamlessly across different scenarios and devices, enhancing the overall quality and reliability of their applications.

Check it out!

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