iOS 14 was announced at WWDC 20, and since then it has become a constant source of news due to its enhanced privacy features. Because each app will need to take manual approval from the user for tracking, the privacy features pose a major challenge to targeted online advertising. 

By and large the debate over online privacy and user data collection is here to stay. Ad based revenue model of Google and Facebook will be in conflict with user privacy approach of Apple and other platforms.

However, there are many other features of iOS 14 that have received less attention but are also going to change things significantly. Today we are planning to look at how iOS 14 will impact iOS app developers.

Widgets Now Enabled

A change that Apple largely resisted from giving to iOS users as compared to Android users was widgets. Now with widgets available, you can update your app to make sure that widgets on the iOS home screen are supported and provides timely and relevant information to the user.

While initially most iOS app developers will see it as a hassle, eventually this has the potential to enhance user experience for good. Widgets must be written in Apple inc’s Swift UI. Developers who can quickly provide timely widget updates and functionalities may see an uptick in their app’s downloads while other developers are still adapting to widgets as part of iOS ecosystem.

App Clips

To provide more options to its users, app clips will allow a user to perform a function without downloading and installing the whole app. For example, you can use app clips to order from Doordash without downloading it.

iOS app developers, especially those looking to promote new apps, can use the app clip feature to promote the most used feature of their app and promote downloads of their newly launched app.

The Top Development Related Features For iOS 14 illustration 1

Data Use Description

The type of user data you collect and whether it tracks and how it tracks users will be disclosed in the iOS app store. You will need to upload the data you will track in iOS app store connect when you upload an updated version of your app or a new app.

User Data Sharing Prompt

The most talked about feature for iOS 14. With this feature it is estimated that at least 80% of iOS users, whether on iPhone or iPad will opt out of advertisement related data tracking.

All types of data collected will be voluntary only. Users will have to pre-opt-in to be tracked across web. iOS and iPad users are some of the most high income and highly sought after advertising demographic. This will significantly impact marketing for iOS users.

The Top Development Related Features For iOS 14 illustration 2

Approximate Location

In iOS 14, users can opt to share approximate location instead of precise location. For example, for weather apps approximate location can work just as well as precise location. For food delivery precise location is needed.

Picture in Picture

While picture in picture was supported for iPads since iOS 9, with iOS 14 it will be available for iPhones as well.

Updated ARKit

With advanced features such as Depth API, location anchors, scene geometry and many more the VR experience on iOS 14 for iPads and iPhones will be way more advanced than any other platform on the market right now.

Conclusion

Apple is largely gearing toward providing more privacy to the users of its ecosystem. This will also allow it to compete better with its main rivals, mainly Android of Google and Facebook. It remains to be seen what kind of ecosystem these new requirements and opportunities will create.

Krish Nair - the director at IT Path Solutions, a tech enthusiast who believes in the power of mobile and web development to transform business digitally.