# activateDevice(_:session:for:) Called when the user activates a device via a user interface. ``` @MainActor func activateDevice(_ device: MediaOutputDevice, session: MediaOutputSession, for deviceFeatures: MediaOutputDevice.Capabilities) ``` ## Parameters `device` The device to activate. `session` The session associated with the activation. `deviceFeatures` The capabilities requested for this activation. ## Discussion If the device requires additional user authentication, call [`requestPairingCode(for:session:reason:authorizationMethod:)`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaDeviceRoutingManager/requestPairingCode(for:session:reason:authorizationMethod:)). The system will report user input via [`connectUsingPairingCode(_:to:session:)`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaDeviceExtension/connectUsingPairingCode(_:to:session:)). If the authorization fails, or the connection to the device fails, call [`failedToActivateDevice(_:session:error:)`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaDeviceRoutingManager/failedToActivateDevice(_:session:error:)). If the activation is successful, call [`activatedDevice(_:session:)`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaDeviceRoutingManager/activatedDevice(_:session:)). > Note: Once a device is activated, the extension will be restricted on the local area network and will only be permitted to connect > to the device(s) that were activated as defined by the ``doc://com.apple.mediadevice/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaOutputDevice/networkEndpoints`` property. Additionally > upon device activation, your extension will lose access to Bluetooth and be granted access to reach out to the internet domains that > have been declared in the ``MDRequestedDomains`` of the extension’s Info.plist ## Declaring Domains Declare the domains your extension may need to connect to in your extension’s Info.plist using `MDRequestedDomains`. The type must conform to an array of strings: ```xml EXAppExtensionAttributes MDRequestedDomains https://www.apple.com https://www.icloud.com ``` ## Grouping If the extension receives multiple activations, then the associated [`MediaOutputDevice`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaOutputDevice) instances should be grouped together. If the devices are already members of a group, then those groups should now be considered grouped together. [`updateDevices(_:)`](/documentation/MediaDevice/MediaDeviceRoutingManager/updateDevices(_:)) should be called to update the state of group information. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)