Activity views

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Best practices

Avoid creating duplicate versions of common actions that are already available in the activity view.

Consider using a symbol to represent your custom activity.

Write a succinct, descriptive title for each custom action you provide.

Make sure activities are appropriate for the current context.

Use the Share button to display an activity view.

Share and action extensions

  • In iOS and iPadOS, share and action extensions are displayed in the share sheet that appears when people choose an Action button.

  • In macOS, people access share extensions by clicking a Share button in the toolbar or choosing Share in a context menu. People can access an action extension by holding the pointer over certain types of embedded content — like an image they add to a Mail compose window — clicking a toolbar button, or choosing a quick action in a Finder window.

If necessary, create a custom interface that feels familiar to people.

Streamline and limit interaction.

Avoid placing a modal view above your extension.

If necessary, provide an image that communicates the purpose of your extension.

Use your main app to denote the progress of a lengthy operation.


For the complete guidance, including worked examples and illustrations, see the canonical page: https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/activity-views

Apple HIG text and imagery are © Apple Inc. This page is a structured index of Apple’s canonical documentation (snapshot 2025-02-02), provided for quick reference and AI-agent consumption — it isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Apple. Read the original at developer.apple.com (opens in new tab).

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