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How to remotely disable or block apps on a child’s device using FamilyControls and DeviceActivity API?
After reading Apple documentation (FamilyControls, DeviceActivity, ManagedSettings, ManagedSettingsUI, ScreenTime) and testing the API, I do not find a way to get the child's device apps on the parent device in order to block them or disable them for a certain time. Is there a way of doing it? Or can it only be done locally on the child device?
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545
Mar ’25
Share extension with App Group: UserDefaults don't get persisted on iOS
I have a multiplatform app for Mac and iOS, for which I am implementing a share extension. This share extension has to share settings with the app itself on both platforms. I am currently trying to achieve this by adding all targets to the same App Group and using UserDefaults with the App Group as suiteName. The app consists of three targets: A multiplatform SwiftUI app, an iOS Share Extension, and a macOS Share Extension,. Settings get persisted correctly on Mac and on the iOS 26 simulator. However, on a real iOS 26 beta 3 device, the Share Extension is unable to load UserDefaults (loading anything with the App Group as a suite name returns nil). What could cause this behavior? The following log entries are generated from the Share Extension on the iOS device, but not on the iOS simulator: Couldn't read values in CFPrefsPlistSource<0x1030d3c80> (Domain: MY_APP_GROUP, User: kCFPreferencesAnyUser, ByHost: Yes, Container: (null), Contents Need Refresh: Yes): Using kCFPreferencesAnyUser with a container is only allowed for System Containers, detaching from cfprefsd 59638328 Plugin query method called (501) Invalidation handler invoked, clearing connection (501) personaAttributesForPersonaType for type:0 failed with error Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=4099 "The connection to service named com.apple.mobile.usermanagerd.xpc was invalidated from this process." UserInfo={NSDebugDescription=The connection to service named com.apple.mobile.usermanagerd.xpc was invalidated from this process.} LaunchServices: store (null) or url (null) was nil: Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-54 "process may not map database" UserInfo={_LSLine=72, _LSFunction=_LSServer_GetServerStoreForConnectionWithCompletionHandler, _LSFile=LSDReadService.mm, NSDebugDescription=process may not map database} Attempt to map database failed: permission was denied. This attempt will not be retried. Failed to initialize client context with error Error Domain=NSOSStatusErrorDomain Code=-54 "process may not map database" UserInfo={_LSLine=72, _LSFunction=_LSServer_GetServerStoreForConnectionWithCompletionHandler, _LSFile=LSDReadService.mm, NSDebugDescription=process may not map database} [C:1-3] Error received: Invalidated by remote connection.
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157
Jul ’25
Error while validating the mobile app
The errors below pop up when I validate or distribute the mobile app; this error happens with the upgraded Xcode version. I have Xcode 16.2, and the minimum target deployment is 14.0. Please help me to resolve these errors. build was successful, I can launch my application from the simulator Validation failed Invalid Bundle. The bundle .app/Frameworks/hermes.framework does not support the minimum OS Version specified in the Info.plist. (ID: ee79350d-249e-4101-89fe-e41b2620f4d6) Validation failed Missing Info.plist value. A value for the key 'MinimumOSVersion' in bundle .app/Frameworks/hermes.framework is required. (ID: b0f58cd5-2c72-437b-98c9-1b2b4122c203) Validation failed Invalid MinimumOSVersion. Apps that only support 64-bit devices must specify a deployment target of 8.0 or later. MinimumOSVersion in ‘.app/Frameworks/hermes.framework' is ''. (ID: c2a6247f-21d6-438f-b52f-572425b7aa65)
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332
Feb ’25
Reshield apps after certain time?
So I have been working with the screen time api. however I still cant get it to work to reshield certain apps after a certain time because for example Dispatch Queue just gets terminated after a certain time. This is my code right now but the reshielding doesn't get called. Please help I have been working on this since weeks and weeks. import ManagedSettings import DeviceActivity import Foundation class ShieldActionExtension: ShieldActionDelegate { let store = ManagedSettingsStore() let center = DeviceActivityCenter() override func handle(action: ShieldAction, for application: ApplicationToken, completionHandler: @escaping (ShieldActionResponse) -> Void) { switch action { case .primaryButtonPressed: // Unshield the app store.shield.applications?.remove(application) // Encode and persist ApplicationToken if let encoded = try? PropertyListEncoder().encode([application]) { UserDefaults(suiteName: "group.Organization.BrainRipe.cmonnow")?.set(encoded, forKey: "StoredApplicationTokens") } let unshieldDurationMinutes = 2 let now = Date() guard let endDate = Calendar.current.date(byAdding: .minute, value: unshieldDurationMinutes, to: now) else { completionHandler(.close) return } let activityName = DeviceActivityName("com.myapp.shield.reapply") let schedule = DeviceActivitySchedule( intervalStart: Calendar.current.dateComponents([.hour, .minute], from: now), intervalEnd: Calendar.current.dateComponents([.hour, .minute], from: endDate), repeats: false ) do { try center.startMonitoring(activityName, during: schedule) } catch { print("Error starting monitoring: \(error)") } completionHandler(.close) case .secondaryButtonPressed: completionHandler(.defer) @unknown default: fatalError("Unhandled ShieldAction case.") } } } import DeviceActivity import ManagedSettings import Foundation // Optionally override any of the functions below. // Make sure that your class name matches the NSExtensionPrincipalClass in your Info.plist. class DeviceActivityMonitorExtension: DeviceActivityMonitor { let store = ManagedSettingsStore() override func intervalDidStart(for activity: DeviceActivityName) { super.intervalDidStart(for: activity) // Handle the start of the interval. } override func intervalDidEnd(for activity: DeviceActivityName) { guard let data = UserDefaults(suiteName: "group.Organization.BrainRipe.cmonnow")?.data(forKey: "StoredApplicationTokens"), let tokens = try? PropertyListDecoder().decode([ApplicationToken].self, from: data) else { return } let tokenSet = Set(tokens) if store.shield.applications == nil { store.shield.applications = tokenSet } else { store.shield.applications?.formUnion(tokenSet) } // Clear tokens after use UserDefaults(suiteName: "group.Organization.BrainRipe.cmonnow")?.removeObject(forKey: "StoredApplicationTokens") } }
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150
May ’25
MAUI Application Crash in 14.5 version when click on Apple Logo
I have my application named "TestDataPro" in apple store. When I open the application and click on apple icon, my application crash. It is working fine in MACOS version 14.2.1. But it is causing crash in MACOS version 14.5 and 14.6 with having Apple M1 or M2 chip. While for the same MACOS version with having intel chip it is working fine. I have attached crash log. Can you please help me to find the root cause for this? TDPCrashReport.txt
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208
Feb ’25
Can not replicate the Apple Review error
Hello there! So Im trying to upload an app to the App Store for iphone and Ipad, but from the revision team the same message always appears, the app crash. So I know the "it works on my computer" sounds bad but....works on my computer and my test system. Dont know what to do since I dont know how to replicate the error. This is the rely they sent me: Issue Description The app exhibited one or more bugs that would negatively impact users. Bug description: at time of review the app’s interface went blank at launch. Review device details: Device type: iPad Air (5th generation) OS version: iPadOS 18.4.1 Anyone has any idea on how can I replicate the error and maybe check the logs? Im completely blind on this one.
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75
Apr ’25
Live Caller ID Lookup & PIRService blocking inconsistent
I've successfully started the Live Caller ID Lookup example and initialized the PIRService. I added several identities to the input.txtpb file, some with block: true and others with block: false. Here is the file but modified phone digits: identities { key: "+40790123123" value { name: "Blocking 1" cache_expiry_minutes: 7 block: true } } identities { key: "+972526111111" value { name: "Blocking 2" cache_expiry_minutes: 7 block: true } } identities { key: "+123" value { name: "Adam" cache_expiry_minutes: 8 block: false category: IDENTITY_CATEGORY_PERSON } } identities { key: "+972526111112" value { name: "Identified Business Name 1" cache_expiry_minutes: 1 block: false category: IDENTITY_CATEGORY_BUSINESS } } identities { key: "+972526111113" value { name: "Identified Business Name 2" cache_expiry_minutes: 1 block: false category: IDENTITY_CATEGORY_BUSINESS } } The main issue is that only the number marked as +40790123123 was actually blocked, while "Blocking 2" appeared as identified contacts with their assigned name displayed. Notably, the only blocked number was a foreign number with a different country code than the number being called. The other numbers belonged to the same country. Can someone clarify whether this is a bug in the example project or an issue with the data file?
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292
Mar ’25
AlarmKit can we automatically acknowledge the alarm or set a time period the alarm should alert for
My use case is a Repeat Timer app. The user can configure a repeating timer, say: 8 minutes with 3 sets So I would like to configure either 3 alarms (8mins, 16mins, 24mins) or a repeating alarm (8mins every 3 mins) BUT... I would like the first and second alarms to break through but only for 5 seconds for example, and then stop (so the user doesn't need to tap the screen to silence the alarm). I don't think this is possible after reading the API docs, but am asking the question anyway. Thanks for any advice or guidance here, and happy WWDC!
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114
Jun ’25
Issue with UWB ranging on DWM3001CDK using NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration in Background mode
Hi, I’m trying to perform UWB ranging between an iPhone and a Qorvo DWM3001CDK accessory using Apple NI’s NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration class. I’ve followed the steps described in the official Apple documentation (https://developer.apple.com/documentation/nearbyinteraction/ninearbyaccessoryconfiguration), specifically for enabling background mode using the init(accessoryData:bluetoothPeerIdentifier:) initializer. The configuration is successfully created, and background mode is enabled. However, when the iPhone starts the session, I doesn’t receive any ranging data from the DWM3001CDK, and the session ends with a timeout. Interestingly, if I use the init(data:) initializer, I can successfully receive ranging data, but this only works in foreground mode, which doesn’t meet my requirements. Steps I’ve followed: Used Core Bluetooth to discover and pair the accessory. Retrieved the configuration data from the accessory according to the third-party UWB device specifications. Initialized the configuration using NINearbyAccessoryConfiguration(accessoryData:bluetoothPeerIdentifier:) for background mode. Started the session with NISession.run(configuration). Waited for updates in the delegate method session(_:didUpdate:). Specific questions: Are there additional requirements for using init(accessoryData:bluetoothPeerIdentifier:) to enable background UWB ranging with the DWM3001CDK? Is there a known difference in how init(data:) and init(accessoryData:bluetoothPeerIdentifier:) handle the ranging process? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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443
Mar ’25
How to get the bundleIdentifier or app name from FamilyActivitySelection's applicationTokens?
I'm working with the FamilyControls and DeviceActivity frameworks in iOS (Swift). In my app, I collect selected apps using a FamilyActivitySelection, and I access the selected apps via selection.applicationTokens, which gives me a Set. I would like to get either the bundle identifier or the display name of the selected apps from these ApplicationTokens. I tried creating an Application instance using: let app = Application(token: token) print(app.bundleIdentifier) print(app.localizedDisplayName) However, both bundleIdentifier and localizedDisplayName are always nil. My questions are: Outside the extension (in the main app), how can I get the bundleIdentifier or display name from an ApplicationToken? Is there an Apple-recommended way to resolve a Token into something human-readable or usable? If not, what is the best practice to store or identify user-selected apps for later use? Environment: iOS 17, Swift 5, Using FamilyControls and DeviceActivity APIs. Thank you for any help!
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187
Apr ’25
[Proposal] Sense & Store – Intelligent App Suggestions from Safari (with On-Device AI)
Hello everyone, I’d like to propose Sense & Store — a seamless integration between Safari and the App Store, powered by on-device AI, designed to understand what users are reading, searching, or selecting in Safari, and suggest relevant apps that match their current context or intention. 🔍 Key Idea: “Sense” the user’s need through intelligent analysis of web content, then “Store” — offer the most relevant app, either already installed or available in the App Store. 🌟 Core Features: • AI-powered context detection directly inside Safari • Real-time app suggestions based on user intent • Smart overlays when selecting text or data (e.g., phone numbers, emails, tools) • Privacy-first: All AI runs on-device (Apple Neural Engine) • Instant App Launch or Installation via StoreKit ✅ Examples: • Reading an article on productivity? → Suggests Notion or Things. • Looking up meditation tips? → Recommends Calm or Headspace. • Selecting a phone number? → Offers CRM or spam blocker apps. • Exploring code samples? → Suggests Pythonista or developer tools. 🔒 Privacy & Performance: • 100% on-device intelligence (no data sent to servers) • Follows Apple’s privacy framework • Works with SafariKit + StoreKit + CoreML ⸻ I’m happy to provide a full prototype roadmap and technical architecture. Feedback and collaboration are welcome! Would love to hear your thoughts — especially from developers who build for Safari, App Clips, or work with CoreML. Thanks! Jose Luiz Horta Barbosa Maurity Cruz - Apple lover...
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119
Jun ’25
ShieldConfigurationExtension & SwiftData
Hi, I am developing a Screen Time App and I am having issues with the ShieldConfigurationExtension (ShieldConfigurationDataSource). I know this extensions is sandboxed but I should be able to read data from the main app. I am using SwiftData as my database, but I am unable to initialize it in the extensions with an error indicating insufficient file permissions. I have App Group set up and I am able to share data using UserDefaults but that is just inconvenient. Is there any way I could just open the SwiftData in read only mode so that I could display the user some info on the shield? SwiftData Init: private func setupContainer() throws { let schema = Schema([ DogEntity.self, HouseEntity.self ]) // Use app group container if available let config: ModelConfiguration if let containerURL = FileManager.default.containerURL( forSecurityApplicationGroupIdentifier: "group.\(Bundle.app.bundleIdentifier ?? "")" ) { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema, url: containerURL.appendingPathComponent("default.sqlite")) } else { config = ModelConfiguration(schema: schema) } self.container = try ModelContainer(for: schema, configurations: [config]) } Error in extension: fault: Attempt to add read-only file at path file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite read/write. Adding it read-only instead. This will be a hard error in the future; you must specify the NSReadOnlyPersistentStoreOption. error: (3) access permission denied error: Encountered exception error during prepareSQL for SQL string 'SELECT TBL_NAME FROM SQLITE_MASTER WHERE TBL_NAME = 'Z_METADATA'' : access permission denied with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } while checking table name from store: <NSSQLiteConnection: 0x154100300> error: Store failed to load. <NSPersistentStoreDescription: 0x15402d590> (type: SQLite, url: file:///private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite) with error = Error Domain=NSCocoaErrorDomain Code=256 "The file “default.sqlite” couldn’t be opened." UserInfo={NSFilePath=/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite, NSSQLiteErrorDomain=3} with userInfo { NSFilePath = "/private/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/51431199-5919-4AE6-940C-6FE3C53EEB46/default.sqlite"; NSSQLiteErrorDomain = 3; } Any help appreciated 🙂
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173
May ’25
Live Lookup flow stuck at /issue/token-key-for-user-token endpoint
Hi Apple engineering team, I’m trying to integrate the new Live Caller ID Lookup (PIR) on iOS using your pir-service-example code as well as a custom mock server in Vapor, but the extension never advances past the /issue/token-key-for-user-token step. I’ve tried both: 1. Official Example Cloned https://github.com/apple/pir-service-example Ran PIRService locally Confirmed that GET /.well-known/private-token-issuer-directory → 200 GET /issue/token-key-for-user-token → 200 (DER bytes, correct SPKI) No POST /issue ever fires 2. Mock Server (Vapor) Implemented all five endpoints (/config, /.well-known/private-token-issuer-directory, /issue/token-key-for-user-token, /issue, /queries) Verified with curl and openssl asn1parse that: GET /.well-known/private-token-issuer-directory Content-Type: application/private-token-issuer-directory { "issuer-request-uri":"https://…/issue", "token-keys":[…] } GET /issue/token-key-for-user-token Content-Type: application/octet-stream &lt;DER bytes&gt; Added Cache-Control: public, max-age=3600 on directory and SPKI Stubbed POST /issue to always return { "token": "" } Still no POST /issue request from the extension Reproduction Steps Install and enable a Live Lookup extension pointing to my server. Trigger an incoming call on device. Watch server logs—only see the two GETs, never /issue or /queries. Expected Behavior After fetching the SPKI DER, the framework should issue a POST /issue call (Privacy Pass flow) and then POST /queries. Observed Behavior Stuck in an infinite loop of: GET /.well-known/private-token-issuer-directory GET /issue/token-key-for-user-token (repeat…) No progression to the /issue or /queries endpoints. What I’ve Tried Verified JSON kebab-case and headers exactly match examples Confirmed SPKI DER is valid via openssl asn1parse Added Cache-Control headers Tested on real device, localhost url, and ngrok public URL Mocked a valid-looking token response Could you advise what additional requirement or format detail I’m missing that prevents from advancing past /issue/token-key-for-user-token? These are the main files: LiveLookupExtension.swift routes.swift service-config.json Thanks in advance!
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129
May ’25
Pencilkit custom pen
I want to create a brush similar to a fountain pen, with a three-dimensional feel to the strokes and a distinct tip. Alternatively, is it possible to achieve this by modifying the configuration parameters of a fountain pen brush?
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73
Mar ’25
Associated domain file for domain-bound code
We are looking to setup domain-bound codes for our app and need to add the associated domain file to our website. We currently do not use Universal Links or Password AutoFill. We have looked at the documentation but are not sure of what the contents of the association file should be to enable domain-bound codes if you are not using Universal Links or Password AutoFill. Can any assistance be provided?
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460
Mar ’25
On-Demand Resources Update
Hi, I have a question about On-Demand Resources, I tried to put some bundles into the Initial Install Tags and Download Only On Demand, and I uploaded the build to TestFlight, then I tried to make 2 builds, and the sample is like this: Build A: Initial Install Tags have 100 Tags. Download Only On Demand have 5 Tags. Build B: all contents of Initial Install Tags are the same as in Build A. Download Only On Demand are the same as Build A but I added 5 more tags, so the total is 10 tags, 5 tags that are the same as Build A and 5 new tags. Then I tried to download Build A for the first time which is in TestFlight, and it runs normally, Initial Install Tags are downloaded when the main app is downloaded and Download Only On Demand is downloaded when I request the tag. However, when I tried to update to Build B which is in TestFlight, why are the Initial Install Tags deleted? and why should it be downloaded via request? not when the main app is downloaded? has anyone ever experienced something like this? Thanks!
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259
Feb ’25
CSSearchableItemAttributeSet is missing recordingYear
I'd like to set the recordingYear in my Spotlight File Importer extension but the property is missing from CSSearchableItemAttributeSet e.g. in the resulting in mdls I'd like to see: kMDItemRecordingYear = 2008; This would allow me to search in Finder by the recording year criteria. There is a recordingDate property and I tried setting it to Date that only has a year but it didn't work. It just resulted in this: kMDItemRecordingDate = "2008-01-01 00:00:00 +0000";
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83
Mar ’25