Tell more about UIUpdateLink
Asked on 06/16/2025
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UIUpdateLink is a new feature introduced in iOS 18, designed to simplify the implementation of complex animations that require periodic UI updates. It is similar to CA DisplayLink but offers additional features. Some of the key features of UIUpdateLink include:
- Automatic View Tracking: The link automatically adjusts to the display that the view is on.
- Low Latency Mode: It can put the system in a low latency mode, which is particularly useful for drawing applications.
- Performance and Battery Efficiency: It helps achieve better performance and battery efficiency through its advanced features.
When creating a UIUpdateLink, you specify a UIView instance. The link activates automatically when the view is added to a visible window and deactivates when the view is removed. In the update function, you can use updateInfos model time for update timing. You can also set requiresContinuousUpdates to true to ensure continuous firing of the update link while it's enabled. If set to false, the update link fires only when driven by other updates, such as gestures or layer changes.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the What’s new in UIKit session from WWDC 2024.
What’s new in UIKit
Explore everything new in UIKit, including tab and document launch experiences, transitions, and text and input changes. We’ll also discuss better-than-ever interoperability between UIKit and SwiftUI animations and gestures, as well as general improvements throughout UIKit.
What’s new in UIKit
Modernize your app with the latest APIs in UIKit, including enhanced menu bar support, automatic observation tracking, a new UI update method, and improvements to animations. We’ll also cover how you can include SwiftUI scenes in your UIKit app and explore SF Symbols, HDR color pickers, and more.
Optimize SwiftUI performance with Instruments
Discover the new SwiftUI instrument. We’ll cover how SwiftUI updates views, how changes in your app’s data affect those updates, and how the new instrument helps you visualize those causes and effects. To get the most out of this session, we recommend being familiar with writing apps in SwiftUI.