# Capabilities Enable services that Apple provides, such as In-App Purchase, Push Notifications, Apple Pay, iCloud, and many others. ## Discussion Capabilities simplify the configuration process for many of Apple’s services, some of which require you to configure specific or change your app’s provisioning profile. When you add a capability to an app or other target in your project, Xcode automatically configures that target to use the corresponding service. For example, Xcode might add a required entitlement to a new entitlements file and configure the project to use those entitlements. When Xcode needs you to provide additional information, it presents a simplified UI for you to specify that information.  > Note: You add most capabilities directly from Xcode, but some app services — > such as Game Center and In-App Purchase — require additional setup in App Store > Connect and your developer account. For more information, see the documentation > below for the specific capability. Xcode automatically manages your target’s entitlements file based on the capabilities you add to that target. If you need to edit the file manually, see [Editing property list files](/documentation/Xcode/editing-property-list-files). ## Topics ### Essentials [Adding capabilities to your app](/documentation/Xcode/adding-capabilities-to-your-app) Configure your target to include and customize capabilities that provide access to Apple’s app services. ### App execution [Configuring background execution modes](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-background-execution-modes) Indicate the background services your app requires to continue executing in the background in iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, visionOS, and watchOS. [Configuring custom fonts](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-custom-fonts) Register your app as a provider or consumer of systemwide custom fonts. [Configuring game controllers](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-game-controllers) Enhance gameplay input by enabling the discovery, configuration, and use of physical game controllers. [Configuring Maps support](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-maps-support) Register your iOS routing app to provide point-to-point directions to Maps and other apps. [Configuring Siri support](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-siri-support) Enable your app and its Intents extension to resolve, confirm, and handle user-driven Siri requests for your app’s services. ### Commerce [Configuring Apple Pay support](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-apple-pay-support) Process payments in your app using the payment information the user stores on their device. [Configuring Sign in with Apple support](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-sign-in-with-apple) Allow users to create an account and sign in to your app with their Apple Account. [Configuring Wallet support](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-wallet-support) Access the user’s Wallet to add, update, and display your app’s passes. ### Data management [Configuring an associated domain](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-an-associated-domain) Create a two-way association between your app and your website to enable universal links, Handoff, App Clips, and shared web credentials. [Configuring app groups](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-app-groups) Enable communication and data sharing between multiple installed apps created by the same developer. [Configuring iCloud services](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-icloud-services) Share user or app data among multiple instances of your app running on different devices. ### Network [Configuring network extensions](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-network-extensions) Customize the various capabilities of your app’s networking stack, such as proxying DNS queries or creating packet tunnels. [Configuring Group Activities](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-group-activities) Leverage FaceTime infrastructure to create coordinated experiences users can share. [Configuring media device discovery](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-media-device-discovery) Add a third-party media device or protocol as a streaming option in the same system menu as AirPlay. ### Security [Configuring Family Controls](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-family-controls) Add the Family Controls entitlement to enable parental control features in your app and its Screen Time API app extensions. [Configuring the hardened runtime](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-the-hardened-runtime) Protect the runtime integrity of your macOS app by restricting access to sensitive resources and preventing common exploits. [Configuring the macOS App Sandbox](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-the-macos-app-sandbox) Protect system resources and user data from compromised apps by restricting access to the file system, network connections, and more. [Configuring keychain sharing](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-keychain-sharing) Share keychain items between multiple apps belonging to the same developer. [Protecting local app data using containers on macOS](/documentation/Xcode/protecting-local-app-data-using-containers) Secure your app’s local storage data from unauthorized access and modification. [Accessing app group containers in your existing macOS app](/documentation/Xcode/accessing-app-group-containers) Ensure your app has app group container entitlements and macOS can authorize them. ### User data [Configuring HealthKit access](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-healthkit-access) Read and write health and activity data in the Health app. [Configuring HomeKit access](/documentation/Xcode/configuring-homekit-access) Discover compatible accessories and communicate with configured accessories and services to perform actions. --- 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)