In iOS 16, App Clips offer users a quick way to access specific features of an app without needing to download the full application.
They’re designed to be discovered and launched through various methods, including App Clip Codes, NFC tags, links in Safari and Messages, and even from Maps for supported locations. Once launched, they provide a streamlined experience focused on a specific task, and can be found in the App Library after use. Here’s how App Clips work in iOS 16:
1. Discovery and Launch:
- App Clip Codes/QR Codes: Scan the code with your iPhone’s camera or the Code Scanner in Control Center.
- NFC Tags: Tap your iPhone near an NFC tag integrated with an App Clip.
- Maps: Tap the App Clip link on the information card for supported locations.
- Safari/Messages: Tap the App Clip link in Safari or Messages.
- Recently Used: App Clips are also accessible from the Recents category in the App Library.
2. How they work:
- When you initiate an App Clip, a card appears displaying a summary and an action button (like “Open” or “Play”).
- If you choose to open it, the App Clip binary downloads and launches.
- App Clips can receive notifications for a limited time (up to 8 hours) after launch.
- If the full app is already installed, the system will open the full app instead of the App Clip.
- If an App Clip isn’t used for a few days, the system automatically removes it.
3. CloudKit Integration:
- In iOS 16, App Clips can now access data from a CloudKit public database.
- This allows App Clips and the full app to share code and data, enhancing their functionality.
- App Clips can read data but cannot write to CloudKit.
4. Size Limits:
- Digital invocations (like links in Safari or Messages) have a 50MB size limit for App Clips in iOS 17.
- Physical invocations (NFC tags, App Clip Codes) have a 15MB limit, which was introduced in iOS 16.
- The increased size limit in iOS 17 allows for richer App Clip experiences.
5. Disabling App Clips:
- You can disable App Clips in Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions, according to Apple Support.
- If you disable them, any App Clips currently on your device will be removed.
