Contents

Messages

Create app extensions that allow users to send text, stickers, media files, and interactive messages.

Overview

You can use the Messages framework to create sticker packs and iMessage apps. You can create sticker packs and iMessage apps as either standalone apps or as app extensions within a containing iOS app. For more information on creating and working with app extensions, see App extensions.

iMessage apps and stickers help people interact and communicate in the context of a Messages conversation. For design guidance, see Human Interface Guidelines > iMessage apps and stickers.

iMessage apps

iMessage apps leverage the full framework to interact with the Messages app.

Use iMessage apps to:

For more information on submitting iMessage Apps to the App Store, see Preparing Your iMessage App for Submission.

In iOS 17, Messages allows you to interactively resize iMessage apps with a vertical pan gesture. Messages handles any conflicts between resize gestures and your custom gestures. If your app uses manual touch handling such as touchesBegan(_:with:), touchesMoved(_:with:), and touchesEnded(_:with:), you can do either of the following:

  • Change your manual touch handling code to use a gesture recognizer instead.

  • Use your UIView to override gestureRecognizerShouldBegin(_:) and return NO when your iMessage app doesn’t own the gesture.

Become the default messaging app

In iOS and iPadOS 18.2 and later, a person may select an app other than the Messages app to send instant messages. If you wish to make your app the default messages app, see Preparing your app to be the default messaging app.

Topics

Default messaging app

Custom sticker packs

Custom iMessage app interface

Message content

Interactive messages

Critical messages

Errors

Classes