Atoggle switch is agraphical control element that allows the user to make a choice between two mutually exclusive states (such as on/off). Originally toggle switches were used primary intouchscreen-based user interfaces, but they have later become commonplace in desktop and web applications.
Toggle switches have a similar function ascheckboxes, but unlike checkboxes, interacting with a toggle switch usually has an immediate effect on the application or system.[1]
Early research on touchscreen interfaces has identified usability issues with toggle switches.[2] A common problem is ambiguous state indication: for example does the label "on" indicate the current state of the switch or the resulting state after interacting with it. Communicatingaffordance can also be difficult: for example should the user tap or slide the switch to change its state.
Media related toToggle switches (GUI) at Wikimedia Commons