Longpressed

Longpressed refers to a user interface interaction where a user presses and holds a finger or other input device on a screen element for a sustained period. This action is distinct from a simple tap or click, which registers an immediate release of the input. The duration required to trigger a longpress varies depending on the operating system and application, but it is typically between 0.5 and 2 seconds.

The purpose of a longpress is to reveal secondary or contextual actions associated with the target element. For example, on a mobile device, longpressing an icon in a photo gallery might bring up options to delete, share, or move the selected image. In a web browser, longpressing a link can often display a context menu with choices like opening the link in a new tab or copying its URL. This interaction design pattern helps to declutter user interfaces by hiding less frequently used functions until they are explicitly requested.

Longpress functionality is a common feature across many modern operating systems and applications, particularly those designed for touchscreens. It provides an efficient way for users to access advanced features without needing to navigate through multiple menus. The visual feedback for a longpress often includes a subtle change in the appearance of the pressed element, such as a slight darkening or a brief animation, to indicate that the system has registered the sustained press.