The changing landscape of mobile application development continues to introduce yet another revolutionary step in how users interact with mobile applications. In times when instant gratification plays a very major role, App Clips alongside push notifications introduce seamless ways in which developers and businesses think about user experiences.
According to a report, “The mobile app market size was valued at more than US$252.89 billion in 2023.”
Those are last year’s numbers, so let’s just say the need for faster and more accessible app experiences has never been more urgent. Moreover, App Clips is one of the most fundamental factors for the changes in mobile app development. Users can access the main features of an app without going through the sometimes-unnecessary process of a full app download. This approach is already upending industries that range from retail and hospitality to transportation and entertainment. Be it a professional iOS developer or a fresher in this app development world, sticking to App Clips is what will keep one surviving in this fast-paced digital ecosystem. Therefore, this particular blog will take you deep inside the concept of App Clips, explaining everything from basic concepts to practical implementations. So, without any further ado, let’s dive directly into it.
What are iOS App Clips?
App Clips are lightweight versions of iOS applications that allow users to access specific features of an app without requiring a full download. Introduced by Apple in iOS 14, these miniature app experiences are designed to be quick, functional, and under 10MB in size. Think of App Clips as a “preview” version of your full application, offering just enough functionality to complete a specific task, like ordering coffee, renting a bike, or making a reservation. They load instantly and integrate seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem through various entry points such as NFC tags, QR codes, Safari App Banners, and Messages. This innovative approach to app functionality represents a significant shift in how users interact with mobile services, emphasizing convenience and immediate utility.
How to Access Them?
App Clips can be accessed through multiple intuitive entry points designed to seamlessly integrate with users’ daily activities. Users can launch App Clips by scanning QR codes or NFC tags at physical locations, tapping links in Messages, or through location-based suggestions in Maps. When browsing websites, App Clips can be triggered through Safari App Banners, providing instant access to relevant functionality. The App Clip card appears from the bottom of the screen, featuring a brief description and the option to “Open” the experience. Once launched, users can immediately interact with the specific feature without navigating through an app store download process. This accessibility is further enhanced by integration with Apple’s App Clip Codes, which combine visual codes with NFC technology.
Benefits of iOS App Clips
iOS App Clips offer substantial advantages for both businesses and users, revolutionizing the way people interact with mobile services. For businesses, they provide an opportunity to showcase core features without the barrier of a full app download, potentially increasing user engagement and conversion rates. App Clips can significantly reduce user acquisition costs while providing valuable insights into feature usage patterns. From the user perspective, they eliminate the need to download full applications for one-time or occasional use cases, saving valuable device storage and time. Instant accessibility promotes spontaneous engagement with services, whether it’s making a quick payment, accessing event information, or trying out a new service. This frictionless experience maintains user privacy while delivering immediate value.
iOS 17 Updates for App Clips
With iOS 17, Apple has introduced significant enhancements to App Clips, making them more powerful and versatile than ever. The update brings improved performance metrics, allowing developers to better track user engagement and optimize their App Clip experiences. New APIs enable more sophisticated features within the size constraints, while enhanced integration with system features provides a more seamless user experience. iOS 17 also introduces better persistence options for App Clips, allowing them to maintain essential data for longer periods while still respecting user privacy. The discovery mechanism has been refined, with improved suggestions in Spotlight search and more prominent placement in relevant contexts throughout the operating system. These updates demonstrate Apple’s continued commitment to evolving the App Clips ecosystem.
How to Create an iOS App Clip?
Creating an iOS App Clip requires careful planning and understanding of Apple’s development guidelines. The process involves setting up a specialized target within your existing iOS app project while ensuring it maintains core functionality in a lightweight format. Developers need to consider which features to include, keeping in mind the size limitations and user experience goals. The development process focuses on creating a streamlined version of your main mobile app development that can provide immediate value to users. While the technical implementation mirrors traditional iOS development, special attention must be paid to size optimization, code reusability, and feature selection. Understanding the proper configuration of build settings and target management in Xcode is crucial for successful App Clip development.
Create an App Clip Target
Setting up an App Clip target begins in Xcode by navigating to File > New > Target and selecting the App Clip template from the iOS section. During configuration, it’s essential to properly embed the target within your main application by selecting the appropriate iOS app target. This integration ensures proper functionality and resource sharing between your main app and the App Clip. Once configured, the App Clip target can be treated similarly to a regular app target, allowing you to run and test it on both simulators and physical devices. The development environment remains familiar, enabling you to utilize standard iOS development practices while working within App Clip constraints and guidelines.
Reuse Code from Your App
When developing an App Clip, efficient code reuse from your main application is crucial for maintaining consistency and reducing development time. Three primary approaches exist for code sharing: directly adding existing files to your App Clip target through target membership settings, creating a shared Swift package that both your main app and App Clip can depend on, or copying files directly to the App Clip target. The Swift package approach offers the best balance of maintainability and flexibility. On the other hand, direct file copying should be avoided to prevent future maintenance complications.
Active Compilation Flags
Active compilation flags are essential tools for managing feature availability and code execution between your main app and App Clip. By setting up custom compilation flags in your App Clip target’s build settings, you can effectively control which code segments are included or excluded from the final App Clip binary. This becomes particularly important when dealing with App Clip limitations, such as restricted permissions and the 15MB size limit. Using conditional compilation statements with these flags allows for precise control over feature implementation, ensuring your App Clip remains compliant with Apple’s requirements while maintaining necessary functionality.
Create an App Clip Code
Once you have your App Clip target set up, you’ll need to create an App Clip code to launch it. You can accomplish this either through App Store Connect or using Apple’s dedicated App Clip Code Generator command-line tool. For development and mobile app QA testing purposes, the command-line tool is the most practical approach. This tool allows you to generate custom App Clip codes with specific colors and functionalities that users can scan to access your App Clip.
Use the Command-Line Tool
First, download the App Clip Code Generator command-line tool from your Apple Developer account. Before generating your code, you can verify your chosen colors using the suggested command:
AppClipCodeGenerator suggest --foreground FFFFFF --background 000000
# Output
# Foreground: FFFFFF Background: 000000
If your color combination isn’t optimal, the tool will suggest alternatives. Once you have suitable colors, generate your App Clip code using:
AppClipCodeGenerator generate \
--url 'https://yourdomain.com/appclip?id=12345' \
--type cam \
--foreground FFFFFF \
--background 000000 \
--output appclip-code.svg
Key parameters:
- –url: The URL for your App Clip experience
- –type: Choose between ‘cam’ or ‘nfc’
- –foreground: Foreground color in hex
- –background: Background color in hex
- –output: Output file path (SVG format)
Set up a Local Experience
When app performance testing your App Clip code during development, you’ll need to set up a local experience since your App Clip isn’t yet on the App Store. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Developer on your iOS device
- Navigate to Local Experiences
- Tap “Register Local Experience”
- Enter the following information:
- URL used in your App Clip code
- Bundle identifier of your App Clip target
- Display information for the App Clip card
This registration allows your device to properly handle the App Clip code during testing, displaying the App Clip card when scanned instead of the “No usable data found” message.
Handle the User Activity
To process the incoming URL and data when your App Clip launches, implement the user activity handling in your main view. Here’s how to set it up in SwiftUI:
Swift:
struct ContentView: View {
var body: some View {
VStack {
Image(systemName: "globe")
.imageScale(.large)
.foregroundStyle(.tint)
Text("Welcome to App Clip")
}
.padding()
.onContinueUserActivity(NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb, perform: handleUserActivity(_:))
}
private func handleUserActivity(_ activity: NSUserActivity) {
guard let url = activity.webpageURL,
let components = URLComponents(url: url, resolvingAgainstBaseURL: true),
let parameter = components.queryItems?.first(where: { $0.name == "id" })?.value else {
return
}
// Process your URL parameter
print("Received parameter: \(parameter)")
// Add your App Clip logic here
}
}
This code sets up a URL handler that extracts query parameters from the incoming URL when the App Clip launches. You can customize the parameter names and handling logic according to your App Clip’s needs.
Final Thoughts
App Clips are the future of mobile app interaction and a perfect middle ground between functionality and convenience. Also, this blog can help iOS developers make seamless experiences via App Clips. Moreover, it will assure immediate value for the users and drive full app adoption in the process. With further advancements in iOS development, App Clips will no doubt be an exciting space. Moreover, it will shape how users discover and interact with mobile applications. In today’s mobile-first world, integration of App Clips into your development strategy is no longer optional, whether you are building a new app or enhancing an existing one.
