Hi everyone,
I’m developing a screen-time and focus app that uses Apple’s Family Controls framework to block distracting apps and reward users through a gamified experience.
Apple approved Family Controls (Distribution) for the main app identifier,
but they did not approve the required extension target (which implements DeviceActivityMonitor, required for the framework to function).
Because of this, I can’t archive or upload the app to TestFlight — and I’ve been stuck in limbo for over 2 months.
This is severely delaying my launch. The app works perfectly, but I can’t release it because the extension wasn’t included in the entitlement approval.
Has anyone else run into this with Family Controls?
Is there any known way to escalate or fast-track approval for additional app IDs or targets?
Would really appreciate any help, advice, or hacks. 🙏
Thanks,
Enzer
Delve into the world of built-in app and system services available to developers. Discuss leveraging these services to enhance your app's functionality and user experience.
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Hi
Here is my problem. I have a large number of portrait pictures in my adobe lightroom catalogue which I need to email to the subjects of the portraits.
These peoples names and email addresses are stored in my pictures metadata and I am able to export the pictures with accompanying text or CSV files containing the names & addresses.
What I want to do is export the pictures in bulk and automagically create and send individual emails for each picture, preferably with the persons name in the salutation at the start of the email.
I have done some googling trying to find a solution to this. I think that I need to use automator. (The lightroom option of mailing directly from within the programme isn't going to do the job, each mail would need to be addressed and written by hand each time). I have been playing around with it, but can see no way to populate the email address field or add the attachment.
Can anyone help me out, with even just the basic outline, of how this would be achieved please?
iOS 16 and earlier
On iOS 16 and earlier, Apple Pay on the Web required Safari—and all interactions with the Apple Pay API to come from the parent/top level page. In order to facilitate the Apple Pay button in an HTML inline frame (iframe), there will need to be cross frame communication between the child and parent pages. Cross frame communication should be secure and robust, therefore the use of postMessage for this purpose is recommended.
The expectation is for all communication with Apple Pay to occur from the parent page, so the iframe must relay all Apple Pay related events to the parent to handle. Some examples:
Apple Pay availability: The parent calls applePayCapabilities, then sends the message of the response to the iframe, which then uses the value to toggle the visibility of the Apple Pay button.
Apple Pay session: The iframe receives an onclick() event when the Apple Pay button is clicked and sends the message to the parent (providing details about the transaction). The parent create the payment request to obtain the session validation URL, and eventually receive session credentials and invokes completeMerchantValidation() to prevent the payment sheet. After the payment is authorized by the Payment Service Provider (PSP), the parent either:
Redirects the parent page to a payment success page; or
Sends a message to the iframe to complete the transaction flow itself.
iOS 17 and later
On IOS 17 and later, the iframe HTML element should include the allow="payment" attribute, which should facilitate the cross frame communications instead of needing a dedicated JavaScript library. This means all of the Apple Pay code/calls can reside in the iframe page—which is typically a hosted page from a Payment Service Provider (PSP), all the parent page—typically a merchant—has to do is add the attribute mentioned above to the iframe element.
Important: Regardless of the iOS version, the PSP/merchant always needs to make sure the parent page domain is the one registered in the Developer portal, and used in the request to generate a merchant session via ApplePaySession.
Cheers,
Paris X Pinkney | WWDR | DTS Engineer
Our app offers auto-renewable subscriptions using StoreKit Original API for In-App Purchase and App Store Server Notifications V1.
Starting around 2025-03-15, we found some cases where original_transaction_id which was associated to web_order_line_item_id of already purchased subscription had changed in the receipt information of verifyReceipt response or App Store Server Notifications V1.
The detailed steps are:
Around February 2025, re-purchase from the app the same subscription product which was canceled and expired some time ago, using StoreKit Original API for In-App Purchase
Receive the following 2 notifications from App Store Server Notifications V1 almost at the same time
INITIAL_BUY
DID_CHANGE_RENEWAL_STATUS
In both notifications, latest_receipt_info contains the receipt for the re-purchased subscription period with new original_transaction_id and web_order_line_item_id
pending_renewal_info contains both new original_transaction_id and original one which was generated at first purchase, and original one has "is_in_billing_retry_period": "1"
Starting around 2025-03-15, the following happens
When we receive another "DID_CHANGE_RENEWAL_STATUS" notification from App Store Server Notifications V1, original_transaction_id which is associated to web_order_line_item_id of the re-purchased subscription period has changed back to the original one (the one which was generated at first purchase) in latest_receipt_info.
When we call verifyReceipt with the receipt obtained from appStoreReceiptURL, the response does not seem to contain new original_transaction_id which was generated at re-purchase
We have some questions regarding this original_transaction_id behavior.
When a user re-purchase the same subscription product which was canceled and expired some time ago, it seems that new original_transaction_id is generated. Is this an expected behavior?
If yes, it seems that, at some point, original_transaction_id which is associated to web_order_line_item_id of the re-purchased subscription changed back to the original original_transaction_id which had been generated at first purchase. Is this an expected behavior?
What triggers the original_transaction_id change to the original one? Is it related to some user actions or subscription status change?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
StoreKit
Tags:
StoreKit
App Store Server Notifications
App Store Receipts
Only iOS devices stop receiving notifications after a few days of the app being installed. To resolve this, you need to reinstall the app again.
I'm using Firebase to send messages.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Notifications
Hello,
I'm currently working with Smart App Banners and trying to test how they appear and behave on iOS. However, I need to test the Smart Banner in a debug or non-production environment to ensure everything works as expected.
According to the documentation for Smart App Banners (https://developer.apple.com/documentation/webkit/promoting-apps-with-smart-app-banners?language=objc), it appears that the banner only shows in production builds or live apps. Is there any way to trigger or test the Smart Banner in a debug mode or non-production environment?
Any advice or workaround for testing this feature would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you in advance!
Greetings,
I recently submitted a request for the Location Push Service Extension Entitlement.
Does anybody have insight into how long I would have to wait until Apple responds?
Thanks
I use Homepod Mini as the gateway and have bound 9 Matter lights and 7 Matter switches. Each of my switches has 12 buttons, and each button supports three functions: single click, double click, and long press. Therefore, a total of 252 actions can be configured for 7 * 12 * 3. Currently, a total of 71 actions are configured for the 7 Matter switches. When configuring the 72nd action, the app will prompt that the operation cannot be completed. But if you delete a few previously configured actions, such as 68 actions, then you can configure 3 more actions (69, 70, 71). However, as long as you configure the 72nd action, the app will prompt that the operation cannot be completed, as if the available space is occupied. What is the reason for this?
I want to use MapKit with App Intents, but the map does not show up.(See attached image)
Can anyone help me solve this?
import SwiftUI
import MapKit
struct ContentView: View {
@State private var region = MKCoordinateRegion(
center: CLLocationCoordinate2D(latitude: 37.334_900,
longitude: -122.009_020),
latitudinalMeters: 750,
longitudinalMeters: 750
)
var body: some View {
VStack {
Map(coordinateRegion: $region).frame(width:300, height:300)
.disabled(true)
}
}
}
struct ContentView_Previews: PreviewProvider {
static var previews: some View {
ContentView()
}
}
import AppIntents
import SwiftUI
import MapKit
struct test20220727bAppIntentsExtension: AppIntent {
static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "test20220727bAppIntentsExtension"
func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult {
return .result(value: "aaa", view: ContentView())
}
}
struct testShortcuts:AppShortcutsProvider{
@available(iOS 16.0, *)
static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut]{
AppShortcut(
intent: test20220727bAppIntentsExtension(),
phrases: ["test20220727bAppIntentsExtension" ]
)
}
}
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Maps & Location
Tags:
App Intents
wwdc2022-10032
wwdc2022-10170
I keep seeing a red action item to complete a task in settings. IOS beta keeps indicating that I need to enable sensor & usage data. Everything is enabled. I literally enabled everything to get it to go away, but it is still there. Suggestions?
Hello Developers!
I am trying to run a test In-App Purchase (IAP) for a renewable subscription product in the sandbox environment. I have set up everything required for sandbox testing, but it’s unclear whether the subscription product needs to be pre-approved by Apple for testing.
If approval is required, I have already added the necessary metadata, but the status still shows "Ready for Submit." Additionally, when I save the page, a "Submit for Review" button briefly appears for a fraction of a second on the subscription page before disappearing.
Is this button missing, or is there a known issue with this process? This is my first time running this test, and I would appreciate any pointers or suggestions. Thanks!
Hi! I use Tips with CloudKit and it works very well, however when a user want to remove their data from CloudKit, how to do that?
In CoreData with CloudKit area, NSPersistentCloudKitContainer have purgeObjectsAndRecordsInZone to delete both local managed objects and CloudKit records, however there is no information about the TipKit deletion.
Does anyone know ideas?
I had noticed that my slaac address changed between one beta and the other, but wasn't sure. Now with the RC 15.4 RC (24E247) I made point of preserving the info before updating from the previous beta.
What I noticed is that not only the slaac address changes, but also the my ether address, even though I have it on Fixed in the settings.
Is it expected that the ether, and the slaac, not be rotated after a OS update?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
Networking
Hey there my application allows users to have video calls with each other using Agora. I have successfully set up incoming call functionality on Android but on iOS I am struggling to get the call ui to appear when the app is not running/in background/locked.
To my knowledge this is because there is much stricter security on iOS which is limiting me from calling this. When i initially set it up it worked at first when the app was in the background but I think I was failing to report the call to call kit in time and now it's not working.
I'm not sure if I need access to this entitlement:
com.apple.developer.pushkit.unrestricted-voip
Which i believe is only for the big boys or if I make sure I'm reporting the call to call kit fast enough that I won't encounter this issue and it will consistently work in the background.
I am currently using the App Store Server API Get All Subscription Statuses in the app I am in charge of.
Please let me confirm the following regarding Get All Subscription Statuses.
■Prerequisites
The language used is Objective-c, and I am using both XCode 15 and 16. I also have an App Store Connect account.
■Questions
Is it possible to set and test each status of the App Store Server API Get All Subscription Statuses with TestFlight?
Hello Everyone,
I somehow missed to renew the APNS Certificate,
I am new to Apple Ecosystem, I can not see the expired or any Certificates under
Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
Can anyone help me with this!
We developing a app called Parentgeenee. It's a Parental control app having any limitations on app block from child mobile. Trying to block more than 500 apps but not blocking if any particular method to block a bulk apps.
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
General
Tags:
Managed Settings
Family Controls
Screen Time
Device Activity
In my App I want to create a new directory structure in a user selected base directory. In the entitlements com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write = true is defined. I call URL.startAccessingSecurityScopedResource( ) and get a true value back. When calling FileManager.createDirectory( at: directoryURL, withIntermediateDirectories: true, attributes: nil ) an error is thrown that write access is missing. User has write permissions in that directory.
When the user selects a directory I store a bookmark via an @AppStorage variable. After write attempt URL.stopAccessingSecurityScopedResource() is called.
I have also implemented a SharedExtension (especially for the Photo app). When user calls the SharedExtension of my app and the app just uses the bookmark stored with @AppStorage and follows the same process as described above no difficulties appear and directories are created as expected.
Changing back to the main app, using again the untouched bookmark and execute the exactly same code as in the first attempt everything works fine and as expected.
The phenomenon appears on real devices but not on simulator.
Any ideas how to solve the issue of having no write access in first attempt?
Good day
We developed a simple swift code to make the device ringing when a certain type of notifications arrives from our backend. This is the code:
let phoneNumber = CXHandle(type: .generic, value: (self.userInfoForPluginCall!["data"] as! [String:Any]) ["caller"] as! String)
callUpdate.remoteHandle = phoneNumber
let configuration = CXProviderConfiguration(localizedName: "Trec Conf")
configuration.maximumCallGroups = 1
configuration.maximumCallsPerCallGroup = 1
configuration.supportsVideo = false
configuration.supportedHandleTypes = [.generic]
configuration.iconTemplateImageData = UIImage(named: "callkit-icon")?.pngData()
let callProvider = CXProvider(configuration: configuration)
callProvider.setDelegate(self, queue: nil)
callProvider.reportNewIncomingCall(with: callUUID!, update: callUpdate, completion: {error in})
We are noticing some problems on the call screen: on certain devices (iOS 18.4RC) the normal call screen appears and the user can answer or decline the call, on other devices (iOS 18.3, especially with dynamic island) only a phone icon appears in the upper right corner and no possibility to answer or deny call.
Any idea on why we are encountering that behavior?
Thanks
We have a user that has an active subscription according to the appstore in our product but it is registering as expired. Hitting the subscribe button in the SwiftUI SK2 dialog does nothing, meaning, nothing happens.
Any ideas?
Topic:
App & System Services
SubTopic:
StoreKit