Opening the Settings app from another app
IosObjective CIphoneApplication SettingsAppsettingsIos Problem Overview
Okay, I know that there are many question about it, but they are all from many time ago.
So. I know that it is possible because the Map app does it.
In the Map app if I turn off the localization for this app, it send me a message, and if I press okay, the "Settings App" will be open. And my question is, how is this possible? How can I open the "Setting app" from my own app?
Basically I need to do the same thing, if the user turn off the location for my app, then I'll show him a message saying something that will open the "Setting app"
Ios Solutions
Solution 1 - Ios
As mentioned by Karan Dua this is now possible in iOS8 using UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString
see Apple's Documentation.
Example:
Swift 4.2
UIApplication.shared.open(URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString)!)
In Swift 3:
UIApplication.shared.open(URL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)
In Swift 2:
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)
In Objective-C
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString]];
Prior to iOS 8:
You can not. As you said this has been covered many times and that pop up asking you to turn on location services is supplied by Apple and not by the App itself. That is why it is able to the open the settings application.
Here are a few related questions & articles:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1090373/is-it-possible-to-open-settings-app-using-openurl
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/736047/programmatically-opening-the-settings-app-iphone
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3113391/iphone-opening-application-preferences-panel-from-app
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4942974/open-settings-app
Solution 2 - Ios
From @Yatheeshaless's answer:
You can open settings app programmatically in iOS8, but not in earlier versions of iOS.
Swift:
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)
Swift 4:
if let url = NSURL(string: UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString) as URL? {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
Swift 4.2 (BETA):
if let url = NSURL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) as URL? {
UIApplication.shared.open(url, options: [:], completionHandler: nil)
}
Objective-C:
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString]];
Solution 3 - Ios
YES!! you can launch Device Settings screen, I have tested on iOS 9.2
Step 1. we need to add URL schemes
Go to Project settings --> Info --> URL Types --> Add New URL Schemes
Step 2. Launch Settings programmatically Thanks to @davidcann
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs://"]];
Also we can launch sub-screens like Music, Location etc. as well by just using proper name
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs:root=MUSIC"]];
See this full name list here shared by Henri Normak
Update:
As per the comment everyone wants to know what happens after this change to my application submission status?
So YES!! I got successful update submission and application is available on store without any complain.
Just to confirm, I Just downloaded this morning and disabled Location services, and then started the app, which asked me for location permission and then my alert popup was there to send me on settings -> location services page --> Enabled --> That's it!!
Solution 4 - Ios
Seems like you can use the prefs:<area>
URL to open the settings and go to specific areas. Apple could change these and break your app so always check if you can open them first.
From this article they have listed some of them for iOS 13.1:
Settings URLs
iCloud
- iCloud:
prefs:root=CASTLE
- iCloud Backup:
prefs:root=CASTLE&path=BACKUP
Wireless Radios
- Wi-Fi:
prefs:root=WIFI
- Bluetooth:
prefs:root=Bluetooth
- Cellular:
prefs:root=MOBILE_DATA_SETTINGS_ID
Personal Hotspot
- Personal Hotspot:
prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING
- Personal Hotspot ⇾ Family Sharing:
prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Family%20Sharing
- Personal Hotspot ⇾ Wi-Fi Password:
prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Wi-Fi%20Password
VPN
- VPN:
prefs:root=General&path=VPN
Notifications
- Notifications:
prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID
- Notifications ⇾ Siri Suggestions:
prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID&path=Siri%20Suggestions
Sounds
- Sounds:
prefs:root=Sounds
- Ringtone:
prefs:root=Sounds&path=Ringtone
Do Not Disturb
- Do Not Disturb:
prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB
- Do Not Disturb ⇾ Allow Calls From:
prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB&path=Allow%20Calls%20From
Screen Time
- Screen Time:
prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME
- Screen Time ⇾ Downtime:
prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=DOWNTIME
- Screen Time ⇾ App Limits:
prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=APP_LIMITS
- Screen Time ⇾ Always Allowed:
prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=ALWAYS_ALLOWED
General
- General:
prefs:root=General
- General ⇾ About:
prefs:root=General&path=About
- General ⇾ Software Update:
prefs:root=General&path=SOFTWARE_UPDATE_LINK
- General ⇾ CarPlay:
prefs:root=General&path=CARPLAY
- General ⇾ Background App Refresh:
prefs:root=General&path=AUTO_CONTENT_DOWNLOAD
- General ⇾ Multitasking (iPad-only):
prefs:root=General&path=MULTITASKING
- General ⇾ Date & Time:
prefs:root=General&path=DATE_AND_TIME
- General ⇾ Keyboard:
prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard
- General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Keyboards:
prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/KEYBOARDS
- General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Hardware Keyboard:
prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/Hardware%20Keyboard
- General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Text Replacement:
prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/USER_DICTIONARY
- General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ One Handed Keyboard:
prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/ReachableKeyboard
- General ⇾ Language & Region:
prefs:root=General&path=INTERNATIONAL
- General ⇾ Dictionary:
prefs:root=General&path=DICTIONARY
- General ⇾ Profiles:
prefs:root=General&path=ManagedConfigurationList
- General ⇾ Reset:
prefs:root=General&path=Reset
Control Center
- Control Center:
prefs:root=ControlCenter
- Control Center ⇾ Customize Controls:
prefs:root=ControlCenter&path=CUSTOMIZE_CONTROLS
Display
- Display:
prefs:root=DISPLAY
- Display ⇾ Auto Lock:
prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=AUTOLOCK
- Display ⇾ Text Size:
prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=TEXT_SIZE
Accessibility
- Accessibility:
prefs:root=ACCESSIBILITY
Wallpaper
- Wallpaper:
prefs:root=Wallpaper
Siri
- Siri:
prefs:root=SIRI
Apple Pencil
- Apple Pencil (iPad-only):
prefs:root=Pencil
Face ID
- Face ID:
prefs:root=PASSCODE
Emergency SOS
- Emergency SOS:
prefs:root=EMERGENCY_SOS
Battery
- Battery:
prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE
- Battery ⇾ Battery Health (iPhone-only):
prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE&path=BATTERY_HEALTH
Privacy
- Privacy:
prefs:root=Privacy
- Privacy ⇾ Location Services:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=LOCATION
- Privacy ⇾ Contacts:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=CONTACTS
- Privacy ⇾ Calendars:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=CALENDARS
- Privacy ⇾ Reminders:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=REMINDERS
- Privacy ⇾ Photos:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=PHOTOS
- Privacy ⇾ Microphone:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=MICROPHONE
- Privacy ⇾ Speech Recognition:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=SPEECH_RECOGNITION
- Privacy ⇾ Camera:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=CAMERA
- Privacy ⇾ Motion:
prefs:root=Privacy&path=MOTION\
App Store
- App Store:
prefs:root=STORE
- App Store ⇾ App Downloads:
prefs:root=STORE&path=App%20Downloads
- App Store ⇾ Video Autoplay:
prefs:root=STORE&path=Video%20Autoplay
Wallet
- Wallet:
prefs:root=PASSBOOK
Passwords & Accounts
- Passwords & Accounts:
prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS
- Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Fetch New Data:
prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=FETCH_NEW_DATA
- Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Add Account:
prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=ADD_ACCOUNT
- Mail:
prefs:root=MAIL
- Mail ⇾ Preview:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Preview
- Mail ⇾ Swipe Options:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Swipe%20Options
- Mail ⇾ Notifications:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=NOTIFICATIONS
- Mail ⇾ Blocked:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked
- Mail ⇾ Muted Thread Action:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Muted%20Thread%20Action
- Mail ⇾ Blocked Sender Options:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked%20Sender%20Options
- Mail ⇾ Mark Addresses:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Mark%20Addresses
- Mail ⇾ Increase Quote Level:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Increase%20Quote%20Level
- Mail ⇾ Include Attachments with Replies:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Include%20Attachments%20with%20Replies
- Mail ⇾ Signature:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Signature
- Mail ⇾ Default Account:
prefs:root=MAIL&path=Default%20Account
Contacts
- Contacts:
prefs:root=CONTACTS
Calendar
- Calendar:
prefs:root=CALENDAR
- Calendar ⇾ Alternate Calendars:
prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Alternate%20Calendars
- Calendar ⇾ Sync:
prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Sync
- Calendar ⇾ Default Alert Times:
prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Alert%20Times
- Calendar ⇾ Default Calendar:
prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Calendar
Notes
- Notes:
prefs:root=NOTES
- Notes ⇾ Default Account:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Default%20Account
- Notes ⇾ Password:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Password
- Notes ⇾ Sort Notes By:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Notes%20By
- Notes ⇾ New Notes Start With:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=New%20Notes%20Start%20With
- Notes ⇾ Sort Checked Items:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Checked%20Items
- Notes ⇾ Lines & Grids:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Lines%20%26%20Grids
- Notes ⇾ Access Notes from Lock Screen:
prefs:root=NOTES&path=Access%20Notes%20from%20Lock%20Screen
Reminders
- Reminders:
prefs:root=REMINDERS
- Reminders ⇾ Default List:
prefs:root=REMINDERS&path=DEFAULT_LIST
Voice Memos
- Voice Memos:
prefs:root=VOICE_MEMOS
Phone
- Phone:
prefs:root=Phone
Messages
- Messages:
prefs:root=MESSAGES
FaceTime
- FaceTime:
prefs:root=FACETIME
Maps
- Maps:
prefs:root=MAPS
- Maps ⇾ Driving & Navigation:
prefs:root=MAPS&path=Driving%20%26%20Navigation
- Maps ⇾ Transit:
prefs:root=MAPS&path=Transit
Compass
- Compass:
prefs:root=COMPASS
Measure
- Measure:
prefs:root=MEASURE
Safari
- Safari:
prefs:root=SAFARI
- Safari ⇾ Content Blockers:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Content%20Blockers
- Safari ⇾ Downloads:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=DOWNLOADS
- Safari ⇾ Close Tabs:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Close%20Tabs
- Safari ⇾ Clear History and Data:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=CLEAR_HISTORY_AND_DATA
- Safari ⇾ Page Zoom:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Page%20Zoom
- Safari ⇾ Request Desktop Website:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Request%20Desktop%20Website
- Safari ⇾ Reader:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Reader
- Safari ⇾ Camera:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Camera
- Safari ⇾ Microphone:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Microphone
- Safari ⇾ Location:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Location
- Safari ⇾ Advanced:
prefs:root=SAFARI&path=ADVANCED
News
- News:
prefs:root=NEWS
Health
- Health:
prefs:root=HEALTH
Shortcuts
- Shortcuts:
prefs:root=SHORTCUTS
Music
- Music:
prefs:root=MUSIC
- Music ⇾ Cellular Data:
prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:CellularData
- Music ⇾ Optimize Storage:
prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:OptimizeStorage
- Music ⇾ EQ:
prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:EQ
- Music ⇾ Volume Limit:
prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:VolumeLimit
TV
- Settings ⇾ TV:
prefs:root=TVAPP
Photos
- Photos:
prefs:root=Photos
Camera
- Camera:
prefs:root=CAMERA
- Camera ⇾ Record Video:
prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Video
- Camera ⇾ Record Slo-mo:
prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Slo-mo
Books
- Books:
prefs:root=IBOOKS
Game Center
-
Game Center:
prefs:root=GAMECENTER
Solution 5 - Ios
You can use this on iOS 5.0 and later: This no longer works.
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs://"]];
Solution 6 - Ios
iOS 10 update
Apple changed the method to open async on the main thread. However, from now it is only possible to open the app settings in native settings.
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url options:@{} completionHandler:nil];
iOS 9 update
It is now possible to go directly to sub-settings menu. However, a URL scheme has to be created. It can be done using two ways:
- XCode - You will find it in Target, Info, URL Scheme. Then, just type prefs.
- Directly adding to *-Info.plist. Add the following:
<key>CFBundleURLTypes</key> <array> <dict> <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key> <string>Editor</string> <key>CFBundleURLSchemes</key> <array> <string>prefs</string> </array> </dict> </array>
Then the code:
Swift
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:"prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard")!)
Objective-c
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard"]];
Solution 7 - Ios
In Swift 3 / iOS 10+ this now looks like
if let url = URL(string: "App-Prefs:root=LOCATION_SERVICES") {
UIApplication.shared.open(url, completionHandler: .none)
}
Solution 8 - Ios
Swift 3:
guard let url = URL(string: UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString) else {return}
if #available(iOS 10.0, *) {
UIApplication.shared.open(url, options: [:], completionHandler: nil)
} else {
// Fallback on earlier versions
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
Solution 9 - Ios
In Swift 3 all I needed is this (here for example redirect to my app notifications):
if let url = URL(string: "App-Prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID&path=your app bundleID") {
if #available(iOS 10.0, *) {
UIApplication.shared.open(url, completionHandler: .none)
} else {
// Fallback on earlier versions
}
}
Source: phynet gist.
This worked with me only when settings is in background. It will redirect you to your app notification settings but if settings wasn't running in the background it will just redirect you to notification settings in general.
Solution 10 - Ios
UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString
this will only work if you have previously allowed for any permission. For example Location, Photo, Contact, Push notification access. So if you have not such permission(s) from the user:
If iOS 10 or above,
It will open the Settings but then crash it. The reason, there's nothing in settings for your app.
Below code will open your application settings inside the iOS Setting.
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:url]) {
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
}
Due to device unavailability, I couldn't check this on iOS < 10.
Also, I could find below code from some gist and it works fine on iOS 10 as well. But I am not sure if this will approve by Apple review team or not.
https://gist.github.com/johnny77221/bcaa5384a242b64bfd0b8a715f48e69f
Solution 11 - Ios
You can use the below code for it.
[[UIApplication sharedApplication]openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString]];
Solution 12 - Ios
SWIFT 4.0 > 'openURL' was deprecated in iOS 10.0: Please use > openURL:options:completionHandler: instead
UIApplication.shared.open(URL.init(string: UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)! , options: [:], completionHandler: nil)
Solution 13 - Ios
Swift 4
I prefer to open setting in a safer way,
if let settingUrl = URL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString) {
UIApplication.shared.open(settingUrl)
}
else {
print("Setting URL invalid")
}
Solution 14 - Ios
Swift You can use following function to open Settings App with Bluetooth Page
func openSettingsApp(){
if let settings = NSURL(string: "prefs:root=Bluetooth") {
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(settings)
}
}
Again this would not open the App's Settings. This would open settings app with Bluetooth as this is deep linking to bluetooth.
Solution 15 - Ios
Tested with iOS 10. Working
NSArray* urlStrings = @[@"prefs:root=WIFI", @"App-Prefs:root=WIFI"];
for(NSString* urlString in urlStrings){
NSURL* url = [NSURL URLWithString:urlString];
if([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:url]){
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
break;
}
}
Happy Coding :)
Solution 16 - Ios
To add to accepted answer: (from apple developer documentation) "When you open the URL built from this string (openSettingsURLString), the system launches the Settings app and displays the app’s custom settings, if it has any." So, if you want to open settings for your app, create your own Settings.bundle.
Solution 17 - Ios
As openURL(_:)
is deprecated after iOS 10.0, use open(_:options:completionHandler:)
instead.
if let settingsUrl = URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) {
UIApplication.shared.open(settingsUrl, options: [:]) { completed in
if !completed {
print("Failed opening")
}
}
}
Solution 18 - Ios
Add this to your class,
public class func showSettingsAlert(title:String,message:String,onVC viewController:UIViewController,onCancel:(()->())?){
YourClass.show2ButtonsAlert(onVC: viewController, title: title, message: message, button1Title: "Settings", button2Title: "Cancel", onButton1Click: {
if let settingsURL = NSURL(string: UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString){
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(settingsURL)
}
}, onButton2Click: {
onCancel?()
})
}
public class func show2ButtonsAlert(onVC viewController:UIViewController,title:String,message:String,button1Title:String,button2Title:String,onButton1Click:(()->())?,onButton2Click:(()->())?){
dispatch_async(dispatch_get_main_queue()) {
let alert : UIAlertController = UIAlertController(title: title, message: message, preferredStyle: UIAlertControllerStyle.Alert)
alert.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: button1Title, style:.Default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in
onButton1Click?()
}))
alert.addAction(UIAlertAction(title: button2Title, style:.Default, handler: { (action:UIAlertAction) in
onButton2Click?()
}))
viewController.presentViewController(alert, animated: true, completion: nil)
}
}
Call like this,
YourClass.showSettingsAlert("App would like to access camera", message: "App would like to access camera desc", onVC: fromViewController, onCancel: {
print("canceled")
})