Well friends, if you are using iOS 8 then you may be familiar with sharing of apps and it has become much simpler. Previously, you might have observed that you could only share links and images to Facebook, Twitter and Apple's default apps. In iOS 8 an app extension lets you enlarge custom functionality and content beyond your app and make it available to users while they are using other apps or the system.
For example if you want to send a link from Safari to Pocket you need to copy the link, and then close Safari and launch Pocket, and finally add the link. In the same way, if you had been using a third-party password manager app, you will have to open the app, copy your password and paste it in your browser. However, now all of those complicated steps are no longer necessary. As long as the app you are using supports iOS 8 extensions, and here sharing is seem to be much easier than before.
|
|
|
Before you start sharing have a look at the different types of extensions and how they work. There four types of extensions in the iOS 8. They are Photo extensions, Share sheets, Action extensions and Interactive notifications and widgets.
Photo extensions: These appears in the Photos app and let you share photos and videos directly to third-party apps.
Steps:
If you want to edit photos using Photo extensions. You can do this through the Photos app.
If you want to edit photos using Photo extensions. You can do this through the Photos app.
- Open the Photos app and open any photo.
- Tap Edit on the top-right.
- Now tap the three dots icon at the top-left.
- Tap More in the pop-up.
- Now you will see a list of installed apps that support photo extensions. Each app will have an on/off switch next to it, so switch on the extensions you want to enable.
- You can also drag the three horizontal lines next to the switch to change the order in which these extensions show up.
- When you have enabled extensions, tap done.
Share sheets: Apps that support share sheets will let you share photos, videos and links to other apps. Safari browser also supports share sheets.
Steps:
Share Sheets let you share data with third-party apps. Here is how you use them.
Share Sheets let you share data with third-party apps. Here is how you use them.
- Open Safari and open any website.
- Tap the share button.
- In the first row of icons, swipe to the end of the list and tap More.
- A list of installed apps that support Share Sheets will show up here. Slide the on/off switches and tap the three horizontal lines icon to reorder them.
- Tap Done when you have set it up.
- Now tap the share button in Safari to see the extensions you enabled.
Action extensions: Actions extensions let the third party app to send information to your browser. For example, you can use 1password to automatically enter your passwords while browsing the Web.
Steps:
Password manager apps are making the most of this feature. Here is how to enable it.
Password manager apps are making the most of this feature. Here is how to enable it.
- Open Safari and head to any website.
- Tap the share button and swipe left in the second row of icons.
- Swipe to the end of the list and tap More.
- Now installed apps that support action extensions will appear in a list.
- Use the on/off switches to enable or disable these. Again drag the three horizontal lines icon to rearrange the extensions.
- Tap Done when you are finished.
Interactive notifications and widgets: Interactive notifications let you reply to text messages or calendar invites from the lock. Whereas Widgets show you updates quickly in the Notification Centre.
Steps:
If you have updated to iOS 8 and want to know how to enable widgets in this. Here is how you do it.
If you have updated to iOS 8 and want to know how to enable widgets in this. Here is how you do it.
- Install apps that support Notification Centre widgets.
- Swipe down from the top to pull down the Notification Centre.
- Tap the Today button near the top of the screen.
- You will see your that day's notification. Tap the Edit button at the bottom of the page.
- Tap the green '+' button next to each widget to show it in the notification centre.
- When you are done tweaking, tap Done at the top right.
Now you when have come to know everything about the different types of extensions. We would like to know your experience in the form of comments below.
