These additions augment the functionality of existing applications on Apple’s mobile operating system. Functioning as separate bundles of code, they integrate with host applications or the operating system itself to provide new features or capabilities. A common example allows users to share content directly from an app to a social media platform via a dedicated share sheet option.
The incorporation of these elements offers several advantages. User experience is often streamlined, as specific tasks can be accomplished more efficiently without leaving the primary application. From a development perspective, they promote modularity and code reuse, enabling developers to extend functionality without modifying the core application code. Historically, they represent a shift toward a more open and extensible mobile ecosystem, allowing for deeper integration between different apps and services.