When to use Switch

Use a switch for reversible binary settings that take effect immediately — "Notifications", "Dark mode", "Show archived records". The visual semantics communicate "this is live" in a way a checkbox does not.

When to use

• Settings panels: notifications, accessibility preferences, data filters, view modes.
• Per-row toggles in admin tables — feature flags, account enable/disable.

When not to use

• Choices that submit later (form context): use a checkbox.
• Choices with three or more states (off / on / partial): use a segmented control or radio group.
• Destructive toggles: pair the switch with a confirmation step. An accidental toggle that deletes data is an anti-pattern.

Status feedback

Switches that drive remote state should pair with a notification confirming success or surfacing failure. Optimistic UI (flip immediately, revert on error) is the common pattern; the failure-revert path must communicate why.