100% conversion from web to native mobile app
You can use Rownd’s iOS SDK with its built-in understanding of App Groups to get users from web, to App Clip, to mobile app without losing users during conversion. Simply have users sign in from the App Clip. After they download the full app, they will already be signed in.
This seamless authentication flow solves one of the biggest friction points in mobile user acquisition - requiring users to create new accounts or re-authenticate when transitioning between experiences. With Rownd:
This creates a frictionless conversion funnel that significantly improves user retention and engagement by eliminating authentication barriers between platforms.
You can reference an example using App Clips with Rownd in the official Rownd iOS SDK GitHub repo.
Rownd leverages Apple’s App Groups technology to securely share authentication state between your App Clip and full application. This document provides clear, step-by-step guidance for integrating and configuring Rownd authentication within your App Clips and ensuring continuity to your main iOS application.
The following steps assume you have already set up your App Clip; if you haven’t done this yet, please skip to the setting up app clips section below before proceeding with the Rownd integration.
Before configuring Rownd in your app and App Clip, you need to add the Rownd SDK as a dependency to both targets:
https://github.com/rownd/ios
YourApp
)YourApp Clip
)Alternatively, if your project uses CocoaPods, add Rownd to your Pod file:
Then run pod install
in your terminal to install the dependencies.
For more detailed information on installing and configuring the Rownd iOS SDK, refer to the Rownd iOS SDK Documentation.
Ensure both your main app and App Clip targets have separate, clearly linked AppDelegate.swift
files.
AppDelegate.swift
Both your App Clip and Main App should initialize Rownd like this:
AppDelegate
in your main app’s App
struct:Ensure the following line explicitly links your AppDelegate:
Both your main app and App Clip must share the exact same App Group identifier for Rownd authentication continuity:
Example:
Explicitly set this App Group in both:
Rownd explicitly relies on your bundle identifiers. You must explicitly list both your App Clip and Main App bundle identifiers in the Rownd Dashboard:
Example:
com.yourapp.ios-demo
com.yourapp.ios-demo.Clip
Explicitly add both bundle IDs under your Rownd Dashboard App Settings → Bundle IDs.
Explicitly ensure the following capabilities and entitlements are correctly configured:
Manually set the Parent Application Identifiers if missing:
.entitlements
file XML):x-rownd-app-key header is required
Indicates the Rownd SDK is not properly initialized. Confirm:
App Transport Security
) settings temporarily allow arbitrary loads (testing only):✅ Separate AppDelegates explicitly linked
✅ App Groups correctly shared
✅ Bundle IDs registered explicitly on Rownd dashboard
✅ Capabilities and Entitlements correctly set
This structured configuration ensures seamless Rownd authentication across your main app and App Clips.
For a truly seamless experience, you can automatically sign in users using Smart Links that direct users to your App Clip. When transitioning an authenticated user from your website, redirect them using an authenticated Smart Link. Or, use Smart Links in directed communications to users to ensure they’re signed in when they open your App Clip (and ultimately, your full app).
Rather than forcing authentication immediately upon launch, provide a clear call-to-action that allows users to sign up when they’re ready:
This approach respects user agency and creates a better first-time experience.
Make your App Clip feel like a natural extension of your main app. Use the same:
This creates a seamless transition when users move from the App Clip to your full app, reinforcing that they’re already familiar with your product.
App Clips should concentrate on delivering one specific feature quickly:
Time your prompts for installing the full app strategically:
For SwiftUI, you can also use the .appStoreOverlay
modifier to present the App Clip card:
Before integrating Rownd authentication with your App Clip, you’ll need to properly set up the App Clip itself. This process requires configuration across multiple platforms:
Info.plist
with required entriesA critical aspect of App Clips is establishing the proper parent-child relationship between your main app and App Clip:
Add the parent application identifier entitlement to your App Clip’s entitlements
file:
Add the associated App Clip identifier entitlement to your main app’s entitlements
file:
This bidirectional relationship is essential for:
App Clip Codes provide an intuitive way for users to discover and launch your App Clip in the physical world:
The launch experience is critically important - when a user activates an App Clip:
Setting up App Clips properly requires significant effort and attention to detail across all these platforms. We recommend thoroughly reviewing Apple’s official documentation before proceeding with the Rownd integration steps outlined in this guide.
For complete details on setting up App Clips, refer to:
100% conversion from web to native mobile app
You can use Rownd’s iOS SDK with its built-in understanding of App Groups to get users from web, to App Clip, to mobile app without losing users during conversion. Simply have users sign in from the App Clip. After they download the full app, they will already be signed in.
This seamless authentication flow solves one of the biggest friction points in mobile user acquisition - requiring users to create new accounts or re-authenticate when transitioning between experiences. With Rownd:
This creates a frictionless conversion funnel that significantly improves user retention and engagement by eliminating authentication barriers between platforms.
You can reference an example using App Clips with Rownd in the official Rownd iOS SDK GitHub repo.
Rownd leverages Apple’s App Groups technology to securely share authentication state between your App Clip and full application. This document provides clear, step-by-step guidance for integrating and configuring Rownd authentication within your App Clips and ensuring continuity to your main iOS application.
The following steps assume you have already set up your App Clip; if you haven’t done this yet, please skip to the setting up app clips section below before proceeding with the Rownd integration.
Before configuring Rownd in your app and App Clip, you need to add the Rownd SDK as a dependency to both targets:
https://github.com/rownd/ios
YourApp
)YourApp Clip
)Alternatively, if your project uses CocoaPods, add Rownd to your Pod file:
Then run pod install
in your terminal to install the dependencies.
For more detailed information on installing and configuring the Rownd iOS SDK, refer to the Rownd iOS SDK Documentation.
Ensure both your main app and App Clip targets have separate, clearly linked AppDelegate.swift
files.
AppDelegate.swift
Both your App Clip and Main App should initialize Rownd like this:
AppDelegate
in your main app’s App
struct:Ensure the following line explicitly links your AppDelegate:
Both your main app and App Clip must share the exact same App Group identifier for Rownd authentication continuity:
Example:
Explicitly set this App Group in both:
Rownd explicitly relies on your bundle identifiers. You must explicitly list both your App Clip and Main App bundle identifiers in the Rownd Dashboard:
Example:
com.yourapp.ios-demo
com.yourapp.ios-demo.Clip
Explicitly add both bundle IDs under your Rownd Dashboard App Settings → Bundle IDs.
Explicitly ensure the following capabilities and entitlements are correctly configured:
Manually set the Parent Application Identifiers if missing:
.entitlements
file XML):x-rownd-app-key header is required
Indicates the Rownd SDK is not properly initialized. Confirm:
App Transport Security
) settings temporarily allow arbitrary loads (testing only):✅ Separate AppDelegates explicitly linked
✅ App Groups correctly shared
✅ Bundle IDs registered explicitly on Rownd dashboard
✅ Capabilities and Entitlements correctly set
This structured configuration ensures seamless Rownd authentication across your main app and App Clips.
For a truly seamless experience, you can automatically sign in users using Smart Links that direct users to your App Clip. When transitioning an authenticated user from your website, redirect them using an authenticated Smart Link. Or, use Smart Links in directed communications to users to ensure they’re signed in when they open your App Clip (and ultimately, your full app).
Rather than forcing authentication immediately upon launch, provide a clear call-to-action that allows users to sign up when they’re ready:
This approach respects user agency and creates a better first-time experience.
Make your App Clip feel like a natural extension of your main app. Use the same:
This creates a seamless transition when users move from the App Clip to your full app, reinforcing that they’re already familiar with your product.
App Clips should concentrate on delivering one specific feature quickly:
Time your prompts for installing the full app strategically:
For SwiftUI, you can also use the .appStoreOverlay
modifier to present the App Clip card:
Before integrating Rownd authentication with your App Clip, you’ll need to properly set up the App Clip itself. This process requires configuration across multiple platforms:
Info.plist
with required entriesA critical aspect of App Clips is establishing the proper parent-child relationship between your main app and App Clip:
Add the parent application identifier entitlement to your App Clip’s entitlements
file:
Add the associated App Clip identifier entitlement to your main app’s entitlements
file:
This bidirectional relationship is essential for:
App Clip Codes provide an intuitive way for users to discover and launch your App Clip in the physical world:
The launch experience is critically important - when a user activates an App Clip:
Setting up App Clips properly requires significant effort and attention to detail across all these platforms. We recommend thoroughly reviewing Apple’s official documentation before proceeding with the Rownd integration steps outlined in this guide.
For complete details on setting up App Clips, refer to: