How to open main app from ShieldActionExtension?

Hi!

I'm building a Screen Time management app using FamilyControls and ManagedSettings. When a user taps the primary button on a ShieldActionExtension, I need to open my main app to guide them through an intervention exercise.

Other approved App Store apps like Jomo - Screen Time Blocker do exactly this: tapping their shield's primary button opens the main Jomo app directly.

Screen recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15yubtTdTkFskGCIaAw_HGB57-boHPl3a/view?usp=sharing

I've tried:

  • URL schemes (UIApplication.shared.open() unavailable in extensions)
  • Universal links
  • Local notifications (works, but adds an extra tap)
  • NSUserActivity

Is there a supported API I'm missing? Or another accepted solution? Any guidance is appreciated.

How to open main app from ShieldActionExtension?
 
 
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