UI scaling in different iPad versions and iPad models? - ios

Question

I will launch my App for the first time targeting iPads (universal). My problem is I came across some inequalities in how the UI scales at different iOS-versions and iPad models. This is the list of different models form the iPad simulator I tested it against:
iPad 2 7.0
iPad 2 7.1
iPad 2 8.1
iPad Air 7.0
iPad Air 7.1
iPad Air 8.1 (scales perfectly)
iPad Retina 7.0
iPad Retina 7.1
iPad Retina 8.1 (scales perfectly)
Some examples and results can be seen in the Pictures below. The inequalities how the tabBar and UISlider scales in different iOS versions and models:
My questions are.
1.How come my tabBar background picture is so messed up in example iPad 2 iOS 7.0 and not iPad Air 8.1 ? (Is it different dimensions I need to consider while using a background picture?)
2.Can I possibly target different models / versions of iPads and fix my UI like you do with macros for iPhone6 / iPhone6P ? And then how?
3.How come the interface tabBar background picture scales differently in iPad Air 7.0 and iPad Air 7.1?. These are the same iPad models with the only inequalities in different iOS versions?
All help is appreciated / Regards

Answer 1

If you are trying to adapt programmatic elements (like image as you mentioned), you can add conditional statements to the relevant UI objects like this:
if ([UIDevice currentDevice].model == desiredModel) {
// Code here (e.g. self.imageView.image = [UIImage imageNamed:#"image"];
} else {
// Every other case
}
If I need to repeat this process often, I normally set up a BOOL and run a check in viewDidLoad (isPad = YES / NO) and then lay out using that conditional. Since you are only targeting iPad, you can set up a similar BOOL for whatever devices need certain elements.
Having said all that, I know very little about how you are setting up your interface (programmatically, storyboard, xibs), so that's all I can offer.