At WWDC20 Apple announced the new iOS 14 and, alongside it, some new features it will support. For me, one of the most interesting features among them were App Clips.
There is an app for pretty much everything you need, but sometimes you either do not know that an app you need exists, or you just do not have the time to search for it. Even when you do find it, you could lack the required space to download it on your phone, or you simply do not want to download an app to use only one feature.
What are App Clips?
As one of the main spotlights of iOS 14, an App Clip is a smaller version of an app that includes only a certain part of its features. They are fast and lightweight so users can open them quickly when they need them to perform everyday tasks, without downloading and installing the full app.After a period of inactivity, the system automatically removes an App Clip from the user’s device to free up space.
A single app can have multiple App Clips, and inside them you can offer the user to download the full app from the App Store. If a user installs an App Clip’s corresponding full app, the full app replaces the App Clip. After that, every invocation launches the full app instead of the AppClip, and the user gets the functionality of the App Clip within the full app.
App Clips can be used in many cases, like paying for parking, renting a scooter, ordering take-out from a restaurant etc. Here is an example of how you can use App Clips to order a drink:
As one of the main spotlights of iOS 14, an App Clip is a smaller version of an app that includes only a certain part of its features. They are fast and lightweight so users can open them quickly when they need them to perform everyday tasks, without downloading and installing the full app.After a period of inactivity, the system automatically removes an App Clip from the user’s device to free up space.
A single app can have multiple App Clips, and inside them you can offer the user to download the full app from the App Store. If a user installs an App Clip’s corresponding full app, the full app replaces the App Clip. After that, every invocation launches the full app instead of the AppClip, and the user gets the functionality of the App Clip within the full app.
App Clips can be used in many cases, like paying for parking, renting a scooter, ordering take-out from a restaurant etc. Here is an example of how you can use App Clips to order a drink:
Why are App Clips good for your business?
- The application will be more accessible
As mentioned above, there are many ways to detect your App Clips. Currently, users can find your app by searching for it in the App Store, visiting your website, etc. Each of these methods assumes that customers already know about your app or approximately know what they want. With App Clips you have the ability to serve them a part of your app exactly when they need it, increasing your app’s overall availability. - Getting new users
Some users may not see how your app can benefit them and will not download it. With App Clips you offer them the opportunity to experience only the parts they can benefit from. Afterwards, if they want, they can download the full app. - Multiple App Clip experiences
Some apps provide multiple experiences and App Clips can be configured to support each of them in a special way. For example, a coffee shop app may support multiple shops. App Clips make it possible to create a unique experience for each coffee shop through a single customizable App Clip. - Notifications and locations
App Clips use a special kind of notification and location permissions. These permissions are enabled by default, unlike classic push notifications, and are valid for up to eight hours after each App Clip launch. You can use these notifications to inform users about certain situational actions, such as showing them a push notification that their coffee is ready in one of the coffee shops nearby.
From a business perspective, App Clips are designed to get more users into the funnel and to keep them engaged. So, if you find that interesting but do not know how you can use it for your app feel free to contact us.
Viktor Matić
CEO @Ingemark
What should you avoid?
- Using App Clips solely for marketing purposes
App Clips should provide real value and help people accomplish tasks. Do not use them as a means to advertise services or products, and do not display ads in your App Clip. - Complexity
It is very important that App Clips can be launched quickly on the device and therefore their size is limited to 10 MB. Keep App Clips simple, and save complex features, design, and navigation for the full app. - Requiring people to create an account
If you cannot avoid this, try to limit the amount of information people need to provide, and think about asking people to create accounts after they finish the task. - Forcing people to install your app
People should be able to complete a task without installing the full app. You can recommend your app, but consider the right time to do so and do it in a polite way.
