what new in working with contacts in iOS 18?

In iOS 18, there are several new features and improvements for working with contacts:

1. Limited Access Feature:

   • Contacts authorization now includes an option to share only a portion of the contacts database, known as limited access.
   • The contacts authorization prompt is now shown in two stages. The first stage asks whether to share contacts with the app or not. If the user taps "Continue," a second prompt is shown where they can choose to share a selected set of contacts or grant full access.

2. Contact Access Button:

   • A new API called the contact access button allows apps to manage access to contacts directly within the app's UI.
   • This button fits into the existing UI and can grant access to new contacts with a single tap, without requiring full access to the entire contacts database.
   • It is particularly useful for apps with limited authorization, providing a way to access additional contacts as needed.

3. Contact Access Picker:

   • Another new API, the contact access picker, presents a modal sheet where the app's limited access contacts set can be changed.
   • This picker is useful for bulk or non-immediate use cases, such as social apps that need to share additional contacts for friend matching purposes.

4. Incremental Contact Access:

   • For apps that offer features like searching for mail recipients, iOS 18 includes a new way to add contacts incrementally using the contact access button instead of a full-screen picker.
   • This allows the app to show results for contacts it doesn't have access to, and when a unique match is found and the button is tapped, the contact is shared.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the sessions:

• What’s new in privacy (Contacts access permission)
• Meet the Contact Access Button (Limited Access)