development

Associated Domains

An iOS entitlement that connects your app to specific web domains, enabling Universal Links, App Clips, and Handoff by proving you control both the app and the domain.

universal links aasa app clips

Associated Domains is a capability you add to your Xcode project that declares which web domains your app is authorized to handle. It is the app-side half of the domain verification system; the server-side half is the AASA file.

Services

The Associated Domains entitlement supports several services:

  • applinks: - enables Universal Links (URLs open your app instead of Safari)
  • appclips: - enables App Clip invocation from URLs on your domain
  • webcredentials: - enables password autofill across your app and website
  • activitycontinuation: - enables Handoff between your app and website

Configuration

In your Xcode project, add entries in the format service:domain:

applinks:yourdomain.com
appclips:yourdomain.com
webcredentials:yourdomain.com

Each app target that needs domain association must have its own Associated Domains entitlement. For App Clips, both the main app and the App Clip target typically need entries.

Developer Mode

During development, append ?mode=developer to bypass Apple’s CDN caching of AASA files:

appclips:yourdomain.com?mode=developer

Remove the ?mode=developer suffix before submitting to the App Store.

Common Issues

  • Forgetting to add the entitlement to the App Clip target (not just the main app)
  • Using HTTP instead of HTTPS for the domain
  • AASA file not accessible at the .well-known path
  • CDN caching delays after updating the AASA file (up to 24 hours)