Apple introduced during the WWDC 20 this year the new App Clips, also known as App Fragments. What exactly is this, what can you do with it and how will these mini-apps affect iOS apps? Read everything you need to know about App Clips for iOS 14.

App clips (App Fragments) can be compared to a kind of mini-apps. You can use part of an entire app through the App Clip. It is similar to a shortcut to a website through a normal QR code. But then more widely accessible and shareable on websites, Apple Maps and iMessage.

When the user clicks on the special QR code or App Clip code, they see a small card appear on the iPhone. View the image below for a representation of what such an App Clip card looks like. This card allows the user to perform a specific action quickly. For example, making a reservation at a restaurant or placing an online order.

Users can access App Fragments through these ways:

Watch the official trailer during WWDC20.

App Clips are very user-friendly. In some ways they are a bit similar to one PWAs. Users do not have to install the app immediately, but they do have access to certain functions.

Apps are used for many services these days. Think of online shopping in a webshop, renting a scooter or electric step (abroad) or paying for a parking session with a parking app. However, sometimes as a user you don't want to have to download the entire app right away. Think of the example with the electric scooter abroad. Suppose you need the app once, then you don't want to immediately download the entire app and register with your data. In these situations, App Clips are very suitable.

Users can easily log in to the App Fragments using 'Sign in with Apple' or 'Apple Pay'. So they do not have to enter account and payment details directly. This makes it accessible. In addition, an App fragment is a maximum of 10MB, and can therefore be downloaded quickly. If the user still wants to download the entire app after use, this can be done directly from the App Clip.

This offers a unique advantage not only for the user. Do you have an iOS app yourself or are you considering one create an iOS app? Then adding App Clips can be a smart strategy. Suppose you have a webshop, booking system or review platform. Then adding App Clips is very lucrative. Because users can perform actions more easily, they will do this faster. The result: more desired effect. You send users directly to the app action that is profitable for you.

The advantages of App Clips at a glance:

There are many situations that App Clips lend themselves well to. We've already covered a few above. Apple itself has also given some examples:

Food: You can order or reserve food directly from Apple Maps. The App Clip can be opened directly from Apple Maps and the user can place the order or reservation.

Parking: the user scans a code at a parking meter and the user can immediately pay the parking costs without registering or downloading the app.

Transportation: briefly mentioned above. Users can rent a shared means of transport such as a scooter or step. By scanning the code on the vehicle, the user can immediately set off with the vehicle.

Shop: online shopping is also becoming a lot more accessible. The user can view a menu or assortment without loading a website first.

Of course there are many more situations where App Fragments are a smart addition. Think of navigation apps or apps that offer public transport information. We see another good example in our own customer: Knaek. Knaek offers student discounts at more than 1500 locations throughout the Netherlands. The locations and Knaek can work well together and improve their services via App Clips. Suppose a user navigates to a location with which Knaek has a collaboration, then the user does not have to open the app separately each time. He or she can go directly from the location to the discount code, so a win-win situation.

The App fragments only work on devices with at least iOS 14 (all devices from iPhone 6s). The way in which they can be activated differs per device. For example, the automatic scan with an NFC tag is only possible with the iPhone XS (Max), iPhone XR or newer device. Camera code scanning will appear in an update to iOS 14 later this year. This means that the App Clips does not yet work on other devices such as the iPad or Apple Watch. Given the possibilities of App Clips, we expect that this will be possible in the future. This will be a smart addition, especially for the Apple Watch, given the efficiency of the new technology.

Can you already use the App Clip?

It's still a bit early to use App Clips right now. We (the app developers) must first provide support in the apps. In addition, they only work on the new devices and it only becomes really interesting when the code can be scanned with the camera. An update planned for later this year. On the other hand, it is smart to think now about the possibilities for the near future. There's no question that App Clips are a smart addition to iOS apps.

So do you already have an app or do you have an app concept that you want to realize? Then take the possibilities of Appfragmenten with you determining the strategy. Are you curious about the possibilities for your app or do you want to spar with one of our mobile Apple app specialists? Then take Contact us us.