Using SF Symbols
Render scalable system icons with systemName.
Using SF Symbols is a free SwiftUI Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the SwiftUI Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Apple Icons for Free
SF Symbols is Apple library of thousands of crisp, scalable icons that match the system font. They are free and built right in. ⭐
Showing a Symbol
Display one with Image and the systemName parameter. The name comes from the SF Symbols app, like star or heart.
Image(systemName: "star")Filled Variants
Many symbols offer a filled version. Just add .fill to the name to get a solid icon instead of an outline.
Image(systemName: "star.fill")Symbols Are Text-Like
Because SF Symbols align to the font, you size them with font and the same text styles you already know.
Image(systemName: "bell")
.font(.title)Coloring Symbols
Tint a symbol with foregroundStyle, exactly like text. This makes stars yellow or hearts red in one line.
Image(systemName: "heart.fill")
.foregroundStyle(.red)Scaling with imageScale
The imageScale modifier nudges a symbol to small, medium, or large relative to its surrounding text.
Image(systemName: "gear")
.imageScale(.large)Symbols Inside Text
You can drop a symbol inside a Text view, so an icon and a word flow together as one styled label.
Text("\(Image(systemName: "bolt")) Fast")Labels Pair Icon and Title
The Label view bundles a symbol with text, giving you a tidy icon-plus-title combo used all over iOS.
Label("Favorites", systemImage: "star")Multicolor and Hierarchical
Use symbolRenderingMode for richer looks. Hierarchical adds depth, while multicolor uses the symbol built-in colors.
Image(systemName: "cloud.sun.fill")
.symbolRenderingMode(.multicolor)Symbols in Buttons
Symbols shine inside buttons and toolbars, giving clear, compact actions like share, add, or delete.
Button(action: share) {
Image(systemName: "square.and.arrow.up")
}Find the Right Name
Download the free SF Symbols app from Apple to browse and copy exact names. Guessing names often fails silently.
Quick Check
How do you display an SF Symbol in SwiftUI?
Lesson Recap
You added SF Symbols with systemName, styled them like text, and paired them with titles using Label. Crisp icons everywhere. 🚀
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Using SF Symbols” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Using SF Symbols” is free to read here on the web, and the SwiftUI Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the SwiftUI Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Using SF Symbols”?
Render scalable system icons with systemName. You practise SwiftUI Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start SwiftUI Academy?
No prior experience is required. SwiftUI Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Using SF Symbols” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this SwiftUI Academy lesson?
Yes. Every SwiftUI Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.