Source: Apple Insider
For those of you out there who got tired of downloading apps on your iPhone and then realizing that it doesn’t serve the purpose or is not value for money, there’s new hope. Apple’s upcoming iOS14 upgrade brings in a new feature called “App Clips” that allows you to use an app without actually having to download it.
Yes, you read that right. And in case you are an Android user, we suggest you move right away and read another story of ours on that One Leadership Trait that’s Mission Critical during these work-from-home days. Why do we say so? Because, all Android users have been conversant with “Instant Apps” that’s been around for some time now.
By saying so, we are in no way deprecating Apple’s efforts to create this new feature, which is definitely a big help to most iPhone users who often download apps and then discard them. The App Clips feature allows users to actually try out a truncated version of the application to check if it works the way they want it to.
In fact, you could use this new feature to order breakfast, place a reservation at a restaurant or set up your new vacuum cleaner, without actually having to download the app. No, it is not as if Apple has suddenly developed a philanthropic strain in its DNA. Read on to find out how it will be done and what you will get from App Clips once it goes live later this year.
What is ‘App Clips’?
App Clips are mini-apps that offer core functionality of the real thing. For example, if you were stuck someplace and wanted to get one of those scooty rides home. In the present scenario, you will need to download the app, create an account, enter the payment information and then follow due process. This could take several minutes and is far from convenient.
With App Clip, you could just scan a QR code or tap the NFC tag on the bike you want to rent, that will display a small card on your iPhone. The app will give you enough access to locations of the bike and include whatever is needed to unlock it. And Apple Pay will verify and secure your payment to get you home. No need for any painful downloads.
No Need to Create an Account
Apple Clips uses the Sign in with Apple feature extensively since it was released with iOS 13. This is a foolproof way to sign up for any app without actually giving away lots of personal data. The service creates an account and links it to your Apple ID, which means you don’t need to think up a password in the middle of the road. By the way, your email and contact details remain hidden when you sign up with the Apple ID.
And payments are made through Apple Pay (this is the list of countries where the service is available) which uses auto-debit or credit cards. For the time being, these payments can be made through other apps including Google Pay or PayTM.
How to Get Started?
You can add an App Clip to the iPhone by using several options. In their keynote video, Apple has demonstrated how to add a Clip from a website, through an iMessage chat or via a business listing in Apple Maps or by simply going through your phone to an NFC tag or by scanning a QR code with the camera.
The company has also created specialized App Clip codes that allows users to add the mini version of the app. Once you have viewed the information on the App Clip that pops up from the bottom of the screen, you can tap on Open to add the Clip to your phone. And once this is done, you don’t need to add it to your iPhone the next time you need to use it.
Such App Clips would not be visible alongside the regular app icons but in the App Library that is making its debut with the iOS14. This acts like a draw full of apps and organizes it based on folders around categories.
Also, please remember that you can move from App Clip to the full app by downloading and installing it the same that you have done all these years. So, the App Clip is just a precursor of an app that you are trying out and then downloading when completely convinced.