Default Communication App Workflow
Purpose
Choose the documented default-app role before building routing, UI, account, or
transport logic. A default messaging app, default calling app, default dialer,
and default carrier messaging app are separate products with different system
contracts.
iOS And iPadOS Roles
- Default instant messaging app: requires the Default Messaging App
entitlement and
im: URL handling. It receives a recipient address, not
arbitrary message body content; provide sms: fallback only when the app
cannot handle the recipient.
- Default calling app: requires real VoIP capability, the Default Calling
App entitlement,
voip background mode, and CallKit or
LiveCommunicationKit. Handle tel: routing and offer an explicit system
fallback when VoIP cannot complete.
- Default dialer: uses LiveCommunicationKit for cellular conversation
initiation and has a separate Default Dialer App entitlement. Treat EU
account/device requirements as release gates, not implementation details.
- Default carrier messaging app: uses TelephonyMessagingKit for SMS, MMS,
and RCS. Keep its entitlement, carrier behavior, user data, and EU
availability separate from internet messaging.
macOS Boundary
Do not claim a corresponding documented macOS default messaging or calling-app
role without current Apple evidence. When building for macOS, implement an
app-owned messaging/calling client, account setup, local notifications,
contacts/share integrations where available, and companion continuity behavior.
That client must not imply access to Apple Messages, Phone, carrier SMS/MMS/RCS,
or system call routing.
Validation And Release Gates
Validate default-role selection, URL routing, unavailable-recipient and
transport fallback, entitlement/provisioning state, privacy disclosures,
physical-device behavior, regional availability, and App Review evidence. Keep
each role's capability inventory in the app project; do not silently enable an
entitlement because another communication role needs it.
References
1---2name: default-communication-app-workflow3description: Plan iOS and iPadOS default messaging, calling, dialer, and carrier messaging app roles while separating documented system integrations from an app-owned macOS companion implementation.4---56# Default Communication App Workflow78## Purpose910Choose the documented default-app role before building routing, UI, account, or11transport logic. A default messaging app, default calling app, default dialer,12and default carrier messaging app are separate products with different system13contracts.1415## iOS And iPadOS Roles16171. **Default instant messaging app:** requires the Default Messaging App18 entitlement and `im:` URL handling. It receives a recipient address, not19 arbitrary message body content; provide `sms:` fallback only when the app20 cannot handle the recipient.212. **Default calling app:** requires real VoIP capability, the Default Calling22 App entitlement, `voip` background mode, and CallKit or23 LiveCommunicationKit. Handle `tel:` routing and offer an explicit system24 fallback when VoIP cannot complete.253. **Default dialer:** uses LiveCommunicationKit for cellular conversation26 initiation and has a separate Default Dialer App entitlement. Treat EU27 account/device requirements as release gates, not implementation details.284. **Default carrier messaging app:** uses TelephonyMessagingKit for SMS, MMS,29 and RCS. Keep its entitlement, carrier behavior, user data, and EU30 availability separate from internet messaging.3132## macOS Boundary3334Do not claim a corresponding documented macOS default messaging or calling-app35role without current Apple evidence. When building for macOS, implement an36app-owned messaging/calling client, account setup, local notifications,37contacts/share integrations where available, and companion continuity behavior.38That client must not imply access to Apple Messages, Phone, carrier SMS/MMS/RCS,39or system call routing.4041## Validation And Release Gates4243Validate default-role selection, URL routing, unavailable-recipient and44transport fallback, entitlement/provisioning state, privacy disclosures,45physical-device behavior, regional availability, and App Review evidence. Keep46each role's capability inventory in the app project; do not silently enable an47entitlement because another communication role needs it.4849## References5051- [Preparing your app to be the default messaging app](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/messages/preparing-your-app-to-be-the-default-messaging-app)52- [Preparing your app to be the default calling app](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/callkit/preparing-your-app-to-be-the-default-calling-app)53- [Preparing your app to be the default dialer app](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/livecommunicationkit/preparing-your-app-to-be-the-default-dialer-app)54- [Creating a carrier messaging app](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/availability/creating-a-carrier-messaging-app)
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