what's app intents

App Intents are a way to surface your app's functionality to the system, allowing users to interact with your app's features outside of the app itself. They can be used in various system experiences such as Spotlight, the action button, widgets, controls, and Siri. App Intents also appear as actions in the Shortcuts app, where users can explore, remix, and add them to create custom shortcuts.

Here are some key points about App Intents:

1. Designing App Intents:

   • App Intents should be designed to be flexible and readable across many configurations and use cases.
   • They should not be limited to the most habitual tasks but can encompass any functionality your app offers.
   • Avoid creating multiple intents for the same task; instead, use parameters to handle variations.

2. Structuring App Intents:

   • An App Intent consists of a summary of what it does, starting with the app followed by a verb, and includes the parameters needed to run the intent.
   • Parameters should be structured to maintain readability and clarity, ensuring the intent summary is always understandable.
   • For intents that toggle between two states (e.g., turning a flashlight on or off), support a toggle as the default parameter to avoid unnecessary prompts.

3. Behavior and Execution:

   • App Intents can open the app to show changes or results, which is now a common behavior in iOS 18.
   • If an intent completes with a change in the app UI or shows search results, it should open the app to display these changes directly.
   • For intents that support live activities, audio playback, or recording, they can be designed to run from the background without requiring the app to open.

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

• Design App Intents for system experiences
• Bring your app’s core features to users with App Intents

Relevant Sessions

1. Design App Intents for system experiences
2. Bring your app’s core features to users with App Intents