Discover Apple App Clips: a new way to discover apps

Whatever you want to do nowadays, “there is probably an app for that”. Even though all those apps probably come in handy, app overload is a real thing. Can you still find your way through all the apps on your homescreen? What if you could just have the right app at the right time? This is where Apple App Clips come in.

Apple App Clips defined

So, what is an “App Clip”? 🤔

An App Clip is a small part of an app experience designed to be discovered the moment it is needed. App Clips are associated with a particular product or business, and load within seconds to complete a specific task, such as renting a scooter, purchasing a coffee, or filling a parking meter. They can be easily discovered and accessed by scanning a new Apple-designed App Clip code, or through NFC tags and QR codes, or shared in Messages or from Safari, all with the security and privacy expected from apps.

Paying for parking, purchasing a coffee at a new coffeeshop, renting a scooter, or searching for a restaurant nearby: soon, there will be an App Clip for that. App Clips ensure that you can quickly get what you need, when you need it.

Four advantages

1. Designed for speed

By simply scanning an App Clip code or a QR code, you’re able to launch the App Clip. No credit card or login needed, Apple Pay and Sign in with Apple got your covered.

2. Easy way to discover

With App Clips, there is no need to download an app for a one time use. If you’re not planning on downloading the full app, you can still see part of the app. This means that your homescreen will not be as cluttered, as the App Clip only stays as long as you need it. Moreover, if you’re planning on using the app several times, you still have the option to download the full app.

3. Touchless

In times of pandemics, App Clips surely come in handy. They ensure that people don’t have to pay with cash - as they can easily access certain banking apps with an App Clip. In addition, ordering food to support your favorite local restaurant has never been easier. App Clips make sure a touchless society can exist.

4. Developer’s advantages

As for app developers: App Clips are the perfect way to quickly show the value of your app to your targeted audience. Moreover, any information the user has provided via the App Clip, will be transferred to the full app when the user decides to download it.

The ecosystem of Apple is known for its collaborative features. For App Clips, this means you can easily include it in your app. As the App Clip is a small part of your app, you can develop it in the same Xcode project as your full app (using iOS SDK). This means it will not be a hassle to include App Clips in your applications! 📲

So... When can we use them?

Sooner than you think! Apple released iOS14 on September 16, and we’re already experimenting with this new functionality. As Apple fans, we love discovering new ways to optimize apps. Want to build an app for your organization and include Apple App Clips? Contact us and we’ll get started. 🚀