Skip to Content

iOS 14 Might Allow Users to Partially Interact With Apps Without Installing Them

Apple is developing a new feature that would allow users to interact with select content and experiences in third-party apps without needing to have the apps installed, according to an early build of iOS 14 obtained by 9to5Mac.

android slices

Android Slices

The report claims a new API referred to as "Clips" in iOS 14 code would enable users to scan a QR code linked to an app and then interact with content from that app via a floating card on the screen. The card would display options to download the full version of the app from the App Store or to open the content in the app if it is already installed.

Android has a similar feature named "Slices":

Slices are UI templates that can display rich, dynamic, and interactive content from your app from within the Google Search app and later in other places like the Google Assistant. Slices can help users perform tasks faster by enabling engagement outside of the fullscreen app experience.

Apple is said to be testing the new feature with OpenTable, Yelp, DoorDash, YouTube, and Sony's PS4 Second Screen app.

Tag: 9to5Mac
Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Teases 'A Big Week Ahead' With Announcements Starting Monday

Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac. Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...
iphone fold text

iPhone Fold Crease Measurements Revealed as Device Hits Production

Wednesday February 25, 2026 5:37 am PST by
Apple has submitted production line orders for its upcoming foldable iPhone, effectively confirming that the device will launch this year, claims a Chinese leaker. According to the Weibo account "Fixed Focus Digital," assembly lines recently received the orders from Apple, which has apparently allowed the leaker to learn the crease measurements for the device's 7.8-inch inner display....
macbook air blue

What's Coming in the M5 MacBook Air

Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates. M5 Chip The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year. Apple's M5...

Top Rated Comments

77 months ago
Letting me interact with iOS updates before downloading them would be great.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
77 months ago
I wish we’d get a rumor that Apple is making text selection better. For sure with iPhones but also iPads where no physical keyboard or mouse/trackpad is present. Apple removed 3D Touch but what they replaced it with is not a proper replacement.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iRutherford Avatar
77 months ago
Great if true! I keep installing useless junk because they look good in screenshots, only to delete them right after.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
77 months ago
iOS 14 sounds like it's going to be big
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GeoStructural Avatar
77 months ago

OMG if you’re that unhappy why don’t you go with Android?
He is probably invested in the ecosystem, paid a lot for his device and wants a good experience, why is that too much to ask? Ffs.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
77 months ago

The only iOS feature I want is a camera feature android has. Specifically, aspect ratio selection, so when in still camera mode, you can use the physical full screen of your phone & not have portioned off bezels.
Do you really care more about having the image cropped to fit the display while shooting the picture, than about having the phone use the full size of the image sensor available? You can always crop later.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)