Widgets & Live Activities

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Discuss how to manage and implement Widgets & Live Activities.

WidgetKit Documentation

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Live Activity life cycle
A Live Activity relies on its app being in the background , but contrary to a widget it does not have a timeline. Our app "in the making" is sandboxed and does not need to receive ActivityKit push notifications How is the app "maintained in life" and not entirely killed for the duration of the activity - Apple documentation says up to 8 hours ? Is it necessary for us to do something to maintain it, like to trick the system , play a white noise audio background ...?
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55
Sep ’25
Live Activity updates not received on iPhone 16 Pro Max when started via ActivityKit push
Description When starting Live Activities via ActivityKit push notifications, the “start” notification is received correctly on iPhone 16 Pro Max, but subsequent update or end push notifications are not. The same implementation on iPhone 16 Pro behaves as expected (both start and update/end notifications are delivered and processed). Environment Property Value Device (failing) iPhone 16 Pro Max Device (working) iPhone 16 Pro iOS Version 18.5 Xcode / SDK 16.2/ActivityKit / Push Notifications Network Wi-Fi / Cellular (both tested) Data Collection Method Devices connected via USB. Logs captured using Console.app. Log filtering applied for the liveactivitiesd daemon to isolate Live Activity behavior. Initial Triage/Observations Payload format confirmed compatible; no incompatible fields. APNs token remains the same across messages (no refresh). Identical ActivityKit subscriptions/participants on both devices. Server-side delivery is confirmed: iPhone 16 Pro receives all messages (start, update, end). Only iPhone 16 Pro Max fails to receive update or end push notifications. Log Analysis iPhone 16 Pro (Working) Push-to-Start successfully received: 13:45:20 - APSXPCDeliverMessageEvent: Created APSIncomingMessage 13:45:20 - Received message: eventType: start(SessionPushNotifications.IncomingMessage.EventType.StartParameters(attributesType: "AchToLSUpgradeAttributes", attributesData: 125 bytes, inputs: [])) 13:45:20 - Created activity: 1C081AC5-01AE-4EC0-8B67-5F2A9FAE2D60 13:45:45 - APSXPCDeliverMessageEvent: Created APSIncomingMessage 13:45:45 - Received message: eventType: end(dismissDate: Optional(2025-07-21 21:00:44 +0000)) 13:45:20 - Activity updated: 1C081AC5-01AE-4EC0-8B67-5F2A9FAE2D60 13:45:20 - Local activity did update: 1C081AC5-01AE-4EC0-8B67-5F2A9FAE2D60 iPhone 16 Pro Max (Failing) 13:56:39 - APSXPCDeliverMessageEvent: Created APSIncomingMessage 13:56:39 - Received message: eventType: start(SessionPushNotifications.IncomingMessage.EventType.StartParameters(attributesType: "AchToLSUpgradeAttributes", attributesData: 125 bytes, inputs: [])) 13:56:39 - Created activity: E6BBF691-0C7A-4791-98D2-6F1440D9932E **No subsequent APNs push-to-update or push-to-end messages received.** 13:56:39 - No destinations for event E6BBF691... of type start 13:56:40 - No destinations for event E6BBF691... of type update Questions for Apple Engineering Are there known issues with ActivityKit push notifications specifically on iPhone 16 Pro Max devices? What additional diagnostic logs (system, APNs, liveactivitiesd) would be most helpful to collect? Could device-specific power management, notification settings, or OS-level changes on Pro Max models affect Live Activity updates? Are there differences in how Live Activity push subscriptions or routing are handled on iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Pro that could lead to this issue?
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112
Sep ’25
Widget with Core Data guidance
I have an app that has a Core Data store for dates with descriptions that I'd like to present in a widget with countdown calculations. In the app I have a button that just equates an active calculation to the currently selected item in the database (using an EnvironmentObject). I gather I can't use this mechanism inside a widget, right? The user could put tons of items into the database - so I'm sure I don't want to have an editable widget allowing them to pick. I suppose I could create an intent and allow an independent entering from the app - but that seems rather user hostile since they've already entered it for the app - and I'm still trying to support iOS15 which doesn't support that. I did create an App Group and have the Core Data store available from within the widget, but I don't see how to allow the user to choose which date is active. I also want multiple widgets to be able to point to different dates. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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269
Oct ’25
WidgetKit: UIImage(named:) Fails to Load Asset After App Upgrade
Attachments: Problem Description: I encountered an issue related to WidgetKit. Inside a widget, I used the following API: UIImage(named: "some_pic_in_asset")! However, in my crash monitoring system, I observed a large number of crashes caused by force-unwrapping a UIImage that could not be loaded. After analyzing the crash reports and the associated app version information, I found that this issue consistently occurs during the app upgrade process. For example: A user installs the app at version A and adds the widget to their Home Screen. Later, the app is upgraded to version A+1. Then, in the monitoring backend, I observe many crashes. The crash itself happens under version A, but the report is uploaded under version A+1. Since crash collection happens in the widget and the report is uploaded by the app, the version mismatch is understandable. I also confirmed that the number of crashes strongly correlates with the number of app version upgrades. Based on this analysis, I believe that in the upgrade scenario described above, UIImage(named: "some_pic_in_asset") sometimes fails to load the image even though it exists in the asset catalog. Please note that the force-unwrapping operation is not the focus of my concern here. Question: Is this a known system issue? If so, is there a plan for fixing it in future iOS updates?
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73
Sep ’25
The Flashlight Burnout
Often times myself and others have left flashlight on by accident. Burning it out for sometime of being in pocket or left on table the light stays on the whole time because of just not realizing it was on. The front of phone shows flashlight icon is white when light is on, but this is not good enough! The icon needs to be a bright red or some other color so user can see that the light is actually still on. This would help alot , ty
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Sep ’25
privacySensitive on lockScreen does not seem to work...
Documentation seems to say that privacySensitive is supposed to redact on the lockScreen. I've disabled "Allow Access when locked" for "Lock Screen Widgets" just in case. It does not work for me. If I add "redacted(reason:) into the view hierarchy it redacts all the content all the time including on the home screen. I've read articles. I gone through a lot of documentation. None of them seem to give the magic formula for redacting sensitive content on the lock screen. I'm using iOS 18.7 on a real iPhone 14 Pro Max.
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127
Sep ’25
Unable to activate ActivityKit
Appears during code compilation Provisioning profile "iOS Team Provisioning Profile: ..*" doesn't include the com.apple.developer.ActivityKit entitlement, Has anyone encountered or resolved a similar issue where the ActiveKit feature was not found in the developer's identifier, despite not being activated in the developer's system?
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63
Oct ’25
App Intent Parameter (AppEntity) not registering
I'm currently testing this on a physical device (12 Pro Max, iOS 26). Through shortcuts, I know for a fact that I am able to successfully trigger the perform code to do what's needed. In addition, if I just tell siri the phrase without my unit parameter, and it asks me which unit, I am able to, once again, successfully call my perform. The problem is any of my phrases that I include my unit, it either just opens my application, or says "I can't understand" Here is my sample code: My Entity: import Foundation import AppIntents struct Unit: Codable, Identifiable { let nickname: String let ipAddress: String let id: String } struct UnitEntity: AppEntity { static var typeDisplayRepresentation: TypeDisplayRepresentation { TypeDisplayRepresentation( name: LocalizedStringResource("Unit", table: "AppIntents") ) } static let defaultQuery = UnitEntityQuery() // Unique Identifer var id: Unit.ID // @Property allows this data to be available to Shortcuts, Siri, Etc. @Property var name: String // By not including @Property, this data is NOT used for queries. var ipAddress: String var displayRepresentation: DisplayRepresentation { DisplayRepresentation( title: "\(name)" ) } init(Unit: Unit) { self.id = Unit.id self.ipAddress = Unit.ipAddress self.name = Unit.nickname } } My Query: struct UnitEntityQuery: EntityQuery { func entities(for identifiers: [UnitEntity.ID]) async throws -> [UnitEntity] { print("[UnitEntityQuery] Query for IDs \(identifiers)") return UnitManager.shared.getUnitUnits() .map { UnitEntity(Unit: $0) } } func suggestedEntities() async throws -> [UnitEntity] { print("[UnitEntityQuery] Request for suggested entities.") return UnitManager.shared.getUnitUnits() .map { UnitEntity(Unit: $0) } } } UnitsManager: class UnitManager { static let shared = UnitManager() private init() {} var allUnits: [UnitEntity] { getUnitUnits().map { UnitEntity(Unit: $0) } } func getUnitUnits() -> [Unit] { guard let jsonString = UserDefaults.standard.string(forKey: "UnitUnits"), let data = jsonString.data(using: .utf8) else { return [] } do { return try JSONDecoder().decode([Unit].self, from: data) } catch { print("Error decoding units: \(error)") return [] } } func contactUnit(unit: UnitEntity) async -> Bool { // Do things here... } } My AppIntent: import AppIntents struct TurnOnUnit: AppIntent { static let title: LocalizedStringResource = "Turn on Unit" static let description = IntentDescription("Turn on an Unit") static var parameterSummary: some ParameterSummary { Summary("Turn on \(\.$UnitUnit)") } @Parameter(title: "Unit Unit", description: "The Unit Unit to turn on") var UnitUnit: UnitEntity func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ProvidesDialog { //... My code here } } And my ShortcutProvider: import Foundation import AppIntents struct UnitShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider { static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] { AppShortcut( intent: TurnOnUnit(), phrases: [ "Start an Unit with \(.applicationName)", "Using \(.applicationName), turn on my \(\.$UnitUnit)", "Turn on my \(\.$UnitUnit) with \(.applicationName)", "Start my \(\.$UnitUnit) with \(.applicationName)", "Start \(\.$UnitUnit) with \(.applicationName)", "Start \(\.$UnitUnit) in \(.applicationName)", "Start \(\.$UnitUnit) using \(.applicationName)", "Trigger \(\.$UnitUnit) using \(.applicationName)", "Activate \(\.$UnitUnit) using \(.applicationName)", "Volcano \(\.$UnitUnit) using \(.applicationName)", ], shortTitle: "Turn on unit", systemImageName: "bolt.fill" ) } }
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81
Oct ’25
Can you use `JSONDecoder` for decoding your attributes and contentState
Watching WWDC video: https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2023/10185/?time=481 It says: So when encoding your content state, do not set any custom encoding strategies. Otherwise, your JSON will be mismatched, and the system will fail to update your Live Activity So I'm just wondering if using JSONDecoder is allowed for decoding apps payloads for the UI of a Live Activity? Or is there a performance hit for this?
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71
Oct ’25
ActivityKit - Live Activity countdown needs Wallet - Upgraded Boarding Pass Live Activity-style behavior
Hi, We need Wallet Boarding Pass Live Activity style countdown inside Live Activity. Requirements Show only hours+minutes (no seconds ever). Format examples (Turkish locale concept): T > 60 min: "1sa 14d" (HHh MMm) T < 60 min: "58d" At exactly zero show a single final zero value (e.g. "0d"). Do NOT show seconds or any upward (elapsed) counting after zero. When remaining time < 0 immediately replace display with status text (e.g. "ON TIME"). Never display negative or increasing elapsed time. Discovered Current Timer Methods (Observed) Method 1 (Text(date, style: .relative)): After reaching target it continues counting UP (should stop). Seconds appear automatically once remaining < 1 hour. Method 2 (Text(date, style: .timer)): After reaching target it continues counting UP (should stop). Seconds are always visible from start. Method 3 (Text(timerInterval: Date.now ... targetDate, countsDown: true)): Stops at target (no upward counting) but seconds are always visible; cannot limit to single zero then freeze before status swap. Requested Enhancement Provide a behavior where the countdown displays hours+minutes, renders a single zero-minute value at the boundary (no seconds), then transitions to supplied status text. Request Public API or configuration to: Select displayed units (hours, minutes only). Stop automatic updating after rendering the zero frame (prevent upward counting). Prevent post-target elapsed counting (no positive re-growth). Allow immediate swap-to-text after zero (remaining < 0) while permitting a single zero display at the boundary. Why Align UX with Wallet; need predictable single zero then status, no seconds, no elapsed confusion. Thank you.
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52
Oct ’25
in OS26, X Large circle uses small circle size for the maximum image sizes
Create a static widget kit based widget for watchKit. Use swiftUI and an image. IE on 42mm you can import a 141x141 image at 2x. Import a 141x141 image in the widget and load it in swiftUI. In watchOS 11.x simulator the image will allow up to the size for X Large circles, and on os26, it will not load and complain the image is too large and report the area for the smaller circle, IE 89x89 @ 2x for 41mm Also submitted a "feedback" ticket FB20506200 This is a big issue b/c the size difference for X large circles v the smaller circles is really large. To get existing images to load I am having to resize them down 75-80% on OS26 in the X Large complication.
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Oct ’25
How to determine whether the current model supports Ghost island
We currently have the need to develop Smart Island. We need to identify whether the current mobile phone supports Smart Island. At present, the solution we can think of is to maintain a model list if the current phone is in the white list, it supports Smart Island. But we think this method is not good enough. Is there a better solution to support identification? In addition, will the later models support smart Island?
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80
Oct ’25
LiveActivityIntent call perfrom inconsistently
When I set Alarm with fixed schedule(Alarm.Schedule.fixed(date)) LiveActivityIntent just work inconsistently it sometimes call perfrom but cannot call other's such as NotificationCenter.default.post it just work fine with relativeSchedule but not for fixed schedule i want to know why it happen tested code is under below struct StopIntent: LiveActivityIntent { static var supportedModes: IntentModes = [.foreground(.immediate)] func perform() throws -> some IntentResult { guard let id = UUID(uuidString: alarmID) else { NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .Alarm.stoped, object: alarmDataString) throw TestAlarmManager._Error.badAlarmID } Task { @MainActor in try TestAlarmManager.shared.stopAlarm(id) NotificationCenter.default.post(name: .Alarm.stoped, object: alarmDataString) } return .result() } static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Stop" static var description = IntentDescription("Stop an alert") @Parameter(title: "alarmID") var alarmID: String @Parameter(title: "alarmDataString") var alarmDataString: String init(alarmID: UUID, alarmDataString: String) { self.alarmID = alarmID.uuidString self.alarmDataString = alarmDataString } init() { self.alarmID = "" self.alarmDataString = "" } }
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100
Oct ’25
[iOS26] Widget Exntension configuration uable to load
I have developed a Widget Extension with editable dynamic options. `struct ModelQuery: EntityStringQuery { public var allModels:[ModelEntity] { // from App Groups UserDefaults let models = SharedDataManager.getModelList() // 检查原始数据是否为空,避免转换后的数据异常 guard !models.isEmpty else { return [] } let entites = models.map{ModelEntity(from: $0)} return entites } func entities(for identifiers: [ModelEntity.ID]) async throws -> [ModelEntity] { let models = allModels if models.isEmpty { return [] } // 尝试匹配ID let matchedEntities = identifiers.compactMap { id in models.first { $0.id == id } } // 如果没有匹配到任何实体,返回默认的第一个站点 if matchedEntities.isEmpty && !models.isEmpty { return [models[0]] } return matchedEntities } func entities(matching string: String) async throws -> [ModelEntity] { let stations = allModels if stations.isEmpty { return [] } if string.isEmpty { return stations } let lowercasedString = string.lowercased() let filteredStations = stations.filter { station in station.name.lowercased().contains(lowercasedString) } if filteredStations.isEmpty { return [] } return filteredStations } func suggestedEntities() async throws -> [ModelEntity] { return allModels } }` Below is how it looks when functioning properly However, when I tested it on iOS 26, occasional "Failed to Load" errors or unknown errors occurred. The same issues did not appear on iOS 17 or iOS 18.
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103
Oct ’25
'openAppWhenRun' property causing AppIntentsExtension to fail
import AppIntents struct AddTodoIntent: AppIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "Add Todo" static var openAppWhenRun: Bool = true func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ProvidesDialog { .result(dialog: "New todo added successfully.") } } struct ViewTodosIntent:AppIntent { static var title: LocalizedStringResource = "View Todos" func perform() async throws -> some IntentResult & ProvidesDialog { .result(dialog: "Here are your todos...") } } struct TodoAppShortcuts: AppShortcutsProvider { static var appShortcuts: [AppShortcut] { AppShortcut( intent: AddTodoIntent(), phrases: ["\(.applicationName) Add a new todo"], shortTitle: "New Todo", systemImageName: "plus.circle" ) AppShortcut( intent: ViewTodosIntent(), phrases: ["\(.applicationName) Show my todoso"], shortTitle: "Show todos", systemImageName: "plus.app" ) } } when we used, it wrong How did i can do it success?
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54
Oct ’25
Can you include an `alert` with a sound within the `end` event?
Q1. Can you place a sound on an end event? That doesn't seem to work for us Additionally: Q2. Is there any way that after you send the end event, still have the Live Activity remain on the Dynamic Island until the dismissal-date? Currently when an end event is sent, it's abruptly ended from the Dynamic Island without any sound. Users are confused until minutes/hours later they see their Lock Screen.
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101
Oct ’25
Cannot get app into Control Center on physical device.
I want to add my app to Controls, just a button to open the app. The end goal is to put it on a lock screen. However, I can get it to work on the iPhone simulator, but I am unable to get it on my actual device. No warnings or failed build or signing issues. I feel like I have changed and tinkered everything. I feel like my code is correct, so maybe it's an issue of the signing? I am lost. Running the control center stuff through Widgetkit.
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94
Oct ’25