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Guide · Open source

How to use MBProgressHUD: install and show a loading overlay

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

MBProgressHUD is an Objective-C library for iOS apps that draws a small translucent overlay with a spinner or progress bar while work runs in the background. This guide explains what it is, what you need before you start, how to get the source, and how to decide whether it fits your project. The source provided here is a short repository description, so it does not include a full API walkthrough.

MBProgressHUDjdg/MBProgressHUD · ★ 15.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Check prerequisites. Make sure you have Xcode and an iOS project written in Objective-C.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/jdg/MBProgressHUD in a terminal to download the source.
  3. 3Open the project in Xcode. Open your iOS project in Xcode so you can add the library.
  4. 4Add the library files. Bring the MBProgressHUD files from the cloned repository into your project, following the repository's own instructions.
  5. 5Show and customize the overlay. Display the spinner or progress bar while your work runs, and adjust the overlay to fit your app's design.

What MBProgressHUD does

MBProgressHUD shows a small translucent overlay with a spinner or progress bar. Developers use it to tell users that something is loading or saving, without building that interface from scratch.

It is written in Objective-C for iOS apps and is licensed under MIT.

  • Shows a translucent overlay while work is running
  • Can display a spinner or a progress bar
  • Saves you from building a loading interface by hand

What you need before you start

The repository metadata lists Xcode and an existing iOS project as prerequisites. The library targets Objective-C apps, so your project should be written in that language.

  • Xcode
  • An iOS project written in Objective-C
  • Git, to clone the repository

Get the source code

The README lists a clone command for the repository. Run it in a terminal to download the source to your machine.

git clone https://github.com/jdg/MBProgressHUD

Build and add it to your project

The install method is clone-and-build. After cloning, open the project in Xcode and add the library to your iOS app. The README provided here does not describe the exact integration steps, so check the repository files for the files to add and how to import them.

Once it is in your project, you can customize the overlay. The project name refers to MBProgressHUD plus Customizations, so the repository is a starting point you can adapt to your design.

  • Open your iOS project in Xcode
  • Add the library files from the cloned repository
  • Customize the overlay to match your app

Check whether it fits your project

MBProgressHUD suits iOS developers who need a simple loading indicator in an Objective-C app. It is not a fit for Swift-only or SwiftUI projects, since the README provided here does not describe SwiftUI usage, and it does not cover Android or web.

Comparable projects named in the metadata are SVProgressHUD, JGProgressHUD and Toast-Swift. Compare them against your language and platform needs before choosing.

  • Good fit: iOS apps in Objective-C that need a simple progress overlay
  • Poor fit: Swift-only or SwiftUI projects, or Android and web apps

What people use it for

  • Showing a spinner while an iOS app loads data from a server
  • Displaying a progress bar while a file or upload is being processed
  • Indicating that a save operation is in progress
  • Adding a consistent loading overlay across an Objective-C app

Frequently asked questions

Is MBProgressHUD free to use?

MBProgressHUD is licensed under the MIT licence, as listed in the repository metadata. Check the licence file in the repository for the full terms before using it in your product.

What do I need to install MBProgressHUD?

The listed prerequisites are Xcode and an iOS project. Install method is clone-and-build, starting with git clone https://github.com/jdg/MBProgressHUD.

Does MBProgressHUD work with SwiftUI or Swift?

The metadata describes it as an Objective-C library for iOS, and the README provided does not describe SwiftUI usage. Swift-only or SwiftUI projects may need a different library.

Can I use MBProgressHUD for Android or web apps?

No. The metadata lists only Objective-C for iOS, so it is not intended for Android or web projects.

What are alternatives to MBProgressHUD?

The metadata names SVProgressHUD, JGProgressHUD and Toast-Swift as comparable projects. Toast-Swift is listed as a comparable option, so consider it if your project is Swift-based.

Why can't I find detailed usage instructions in the repository?

The README provided here was empty, so this guide is limited to the repository description and the clone command. Check the repository's other files for code examples and integration details.

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Our verdict

MBProgressHUD is a reasonable choice for iOS developers with an Objective-C app who want a ready-made loading overlay they can customize under the MIT licence. If your project is Swift-only, uses SwiftUI, or targets Android or web, pick a comparable library such as SVProgressHUD, JGProgressHUD or Toast-Swift instead.

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