App Clips

What Are App Clips?

App Clips are lightweight versions of your app that launch quickly for specific tasks. Users can access them without downloading the full app.

Size Limits

App Clips have strict size constraints:

When to Use App Clips

• Ordering food at a restaurant
• Parking a rental car
• Checking in at a hotel
• Quick product scanning
• Transit ticket purchases

App Clip Target Setup

1. Open your Xcode project
2. File > New > Target > App Clip
3. Configure the App Clip bundle identifier
4. Set up the App Clip entry point

Entry Points

App Clips can be launched via:

• App Clip Cards (NFC, QR codes, links)
• Maps integration
• Safari and Messages
• Siri Suggestions

App Clip Cards

App Clip Cards are physical or digital cards that launch your App Clip:

import AppClips

func createAppClipCard() -> AppClipLink {
    let config = AppClipLink(
        url: URL(string: "https://yourapp.com/clip/order")!,
        metadata: AppClipLink.Metadata(
            title: "Quick Order",
            subtitle: "Order ahead at our restaurant",
            image: URL(string: "https://yourapp.com/images/card.png")
        )
    )
    return config
}

Invites API

Allow users to share App Clips with others:

import AppClips

func shareAppClip() {
    let clip = AppClip(
        url: URL(string: "https://yourapp.com/clip/order")!,
        metadata: AppClip.Metadata(
            title: "Quick Order",
            subtitle: "Order ahead"
        )
    )
    
    let invitation = AppClip Invitation(clip: clip)
    // Present share sheet
}

NFC Tags

Launch App Clips from physical locations:

• Program NFC tags with your App Clip URL
• Place tags at point of sale
• Users tap their iPhone to launch

QR Codes

Generate QR codes that link to your App Clip:

func generateQRCode(for url: URL) -> UIImage {
    let data = url.absoluteString.data(using: .ascii)
    guard let filter = CIFilter(name: "CIQRCodeGenerator") else { return UIImage() }
    filter.setValue(data, forKey: "inputMessage")
    guard let image = filter.outputImage else { return UIImage() }
    return UIImage(ciImage: image)
}

Launching an App Clip

App Clips have a limited runtime and memory footprint:

@main
struct MyAppClip: App {
    var body: some Scene {
        WindowGroup {
            ContentView()
        }
    }
}

Communicating with the Main App

App Clips can pass data to the full app via App Groups:

// In App Clip
let sharedDefaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: "group.com.yourapp")
sharedDefaults?.set(orderID, forKey: "pendingOrderID")

// In Main App
let sharedDefaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: "group.com.yourapp")
if let orderID = sharedDefaults?.string(forKey: "pendingOrderID") {
    // Process the order
}

App Clip Limits

• Maximum 3 App Clip invocations per day per user
• Limited memory and CPU
• No background execution
• No push notifications
• Limited HealthKit and HomeKit access

Converting to Full App

Encourage users to download the full app:

import SafariServices

func openAppStore() {
    let url = URL(string: "https://apps.apple.com/app/id123456")!
    UIApplication.shared.open(url)
}

Best Practices

• Keep the App Clip focused on one task
• Design for quick completion (under 30 seconds)
• Use App Groups for data sharing
• Test on physical devices only
• Monitor App Clip analytics in App Store Connect