How to make a UIBarButtonItem perform a function when pressed?

Question

I am trying to make a custom back button using this code:

let back = UIImage(named: "header_backarrow")
let backView = UIImageView(image: back)
let backItem = UIBarButtonItem(customView: backView)
navigationItem.leftBarButtonItem = backItem

I want the navigation item to perform this code:

func dismissManual() {
    dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil)
}

I have tried many things like following this Stack Overflow post: Execute action when back bar button of UINavigationController is pressed

I have also tried making it a navigationItem.backBarButtonItem; however, nothing seems to work. Some things show the correct custom image, but do not work as a button; on the other hand, some work as a button, but do not show the correct image.

Does anybody know how I can show the correct image and make the item work as a button? Thanks.

Answer 1

Do it as follows:

override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()

        let back = UIImage(named: "header_backarrow")
        let backView = UIImageView(image: back)
        backView.isUserInteractionEnabled = true
        let tap = UITapGestureRecognizer(target: self, action: #selector(dismissManual))
        backView.addGestureRecognizer(tap)
        let backItem = UIBarButtonItem(customView: backView)
        navigationItem.leftBarButtonItem = backItem
    }

    @objc func dismissManual() {
        print("print----")
//        dismiss(animated: true, completion: nil)
    }

Add gesture to backView it will work! It's similiar to this question IOS - Swift - adding target and action to BarButtonItem's customView