iOS 9 App Thinning A Guide to Smaller, Faster Apps

iOS 9 App Thinning sets the stage for this enthralling narrative, offering readers a glimpse into a story that is rich in detail and brimming with originality from the outset. Remember those days when downloading a single app felt like an eternity? Well, say goodbye to those agonizing wait times! iOS 9 introduced a game-changing concept called App Thinning, a revolutionary approach to app development that drastically reduces app download sizes, making app installations a breeze.

App Thinning utilizes a trio of powerful techniques – Slicing, On-Demand Resources, and Bitcode – to streamline the app delivery process. Slicing ensures that only the necessary resources for a specific device are delivered, while On-Demand Resources allow developers to download content only when needed, like game levels or high-resolution images. Bitcode, the cherry on top, enables Apple to optimize apps for future devices and operating systems, ensuring that your app stays relevant and efficient.

Introduction to iOS 9 App Thinning

App thinning is a set of technologies introduced in iOS 9 that significantly reduces the size of apps downloaded and installed on iOS devices. This reduction in app size benefits both developers and users by streamlining the app distribution and installation process, ultimately enhancing the overall user experience.

App Thinning Techniques

App thinning employs a variety of techniques to achieve size reductions.

• Slicing: Slicing involves tailoring app binaries to specific device architectures. Instead of distributing a single universal binary, apps are sliced into multiple binaries, each optimized for a specific device architecture (like ARM64 or ARMv7). This allows devices to download only the binary relevant to their architecture, eliminating the need to download and store unnecessary code.
• On-Demand Resources: This technique allows developers to defer the download of certain app resources until they are actually needed by the user. For example, a game might only download the assets for a specific level when the user reaches that level. This approach significantly reduces the initial download size and helps conserve device storage.
• Bitcode: Bitcode is an intermediate representation of compiled code that allows Apple to optimize the app binary for different device architectures and operating system versions. This optimization happens after the app is uploaded to the App Store, further reducing the app’s size and improving its performance.

Benefits of App Thinning

The benefits of app thinning are multifaceted and extend to both developers and users.

• Reduced App Download Sizes: The most immediate benefit is the reduction in app download sizes. With app thinning, users download only the necessary components, leading to faster downloads and a more efficient use of data.
• Faster App Installations: Smaller app sizes result in faster app installations, reducing the time users spend waiting for their apps to be ready for use. This improved installation speed contributes to a more positive user experience.
• Improved Storage Efficiency: By eliminating unnecessary components, app thinning helps conserve device storage space. This is particularly beneficial for users with limited storage capacity, allowing them to download and use more apps without encountering storage constraints.

Slicing

Slicing is a clever technique that iOS 9 introduced to help developers optimize app size. It works by delivering only the resources that are needed for a specific device, which makes apps much leaner and faster to download. Imagine having a custom-tailored app for each device!

Slicing uses a combination of factors to determine which resources are necessary for a particular device, including screen size, device architecture, and language. This means that users only download the parts of your app that they need, making the download process much faster and more efficient.

Optimizing App Size for Different Screen Sizes

Slicing helps developers optimize app size for different screen sizes by delivering only the assets needed for the specific device. Let’s say you have a beautiful high-resolution image that looks stunning on an iPad Pro. But, if you’re downloading the app on an iPhone 5, you don’t need the entire image. Slicing ensures that only the necessary portion of the image is downloaded, keeping your app lightweight and fast.

Optimizing App Size for Different Device Architectures

Slicing also helps developers optimize app size for different device architectures. For example, a 64-bit device doesn’t need the resources designed for a 32-bit device. Slicing ensures that only the appropriate resources are delivered, ensuring the app runs smoothly and efficiently on different devices.

Optimizing App Size for Different Languages

Slicing also considers language preferences. It delivers only the necessary language resources for the device’s chosen language. This means that users only download the language resources they need, making the app smaller and faster to download.

Impact of Slicing on App Development Workflow

Slicing doesn’t change the core development process significantly. You still create your assets and resources as usual. However, you need to ensure that your assets are properly organized and named according to the slicing guidelines. This helps the iOS system identify the appropriate resources for each device.

Potential Challenges Developers May Face

While Slicing offers significant benefits, developers may face a few challenges:

• Asset Management: Proper asset organization is crucial for Slicing to work effectively. Developers need to carefully name and structure their assets to ensure that the correct resources are delivered to each device.
• Testing: Developers need to thoroughly test their app on various devices to ensure that Slicing is working as intended and that all necessary resources are being delivered.
• Compatibility: Slicing is a feature introduced in iOS 9, so older iOS versions won’t support it. Developers need to be aware of this and ensure their app is compatible with the target iOS versions.

On-Demand Resources

Imagine downloading only the parts of an app you need, right when you need them. That’s the power of On-Demand Resources, a feature introduced in iOS 9. This innovative approach allows developers to deliver content to users on a “just-in-time” basis, significantly reducing the initial download size of apps and improving user experience.

On-Demand Resources enable developers to divide app content into smaller, independent chunks. These chunks can include game levels, high-resolution images, audio files, or any other resource that can be downloaded and used on demand. When a user needs a specific resource, the app requests it from the server, and the resource is downloaded and used.

Examples of On-Demand Resources

On-Demand Resources can be used in various ways to optimize app size and enhance user experience. Here are a few examples:

• Game Levels: In a game with multiple levels, developers can use On-Demand Resources to download only the levels that the player has unlocked. This prevents the initial download from being unnecessarily large, especially for games with many levels.
• High-Resolution Images: Apps that display images, like photo editing apps or social media apps, can use On-Demand Resources to download high-resolution images only when the user needs to view them in full detail. This helps to reduce the initial download size and improve app performance.
• Audio Files: Music streaming apps or language learning apps can use On-Demand Resources to download audio files only when the user wants to listen to them. This approach ensures that the app is not burdened with unnecessary audio files that are not currently needed.

Benefits of On-Demand Resources

On-Demand Resources offer several benefits for both app developers and users:

• Reduced App Size: By downloading only the necessary content, On-Demand Resources significantly reduce the initial download size of apps, making them more accessible to users with limited data plans or slower internet connections.
• Improved App Performance: On-Demand Resources can improve app performance by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded into memory. This can lead to faster loading times and a smoother user experience.
• Enhanced User Experience: Users only download the content they need, reducing storage space usage and ensuring a more streamlined experience.

Limitations of On-Demand Resources

While On-Demand Resources offer significant advantages, they also have some limitations:

• Network Connectivity: On-Demand Resources rely on a stable internet connection to download the required content. Users with limited or unreliable internet access may encounter issues with downloading resources.
• Increased Complexity: Implementing On-Demand Resources requires developers to carefully plan and manage the download and caching of resources, which can add complexity to the development process.

Bitcode

Bitcode is an intermediate representation of your app’s code that Apple uses to optimize your app for different devices and operating systems. It allows Apple to recompile your app for specific devices, taking advantage of their unique hardware capabilities and software features. This means your app can run more efficiently and perform better on newer devices, even if you haven’t explicitly recompiled it for those devices.

Benefits of Bitcode for App Developers

Using Bitcode offers several advantages for app developers, including:

• Future-Proofing: Bitcode allows Apple to optimize your app for future devices and operating systems without requiring you to recompile your app. This means your app will continue to run smoothly on newer devices and operating systems even after you’ve released it.
• New Feature Support: Bitcode enables your app to take advantage of new features and optimizations introduced in future iOS versions. This allows you to provide a better user experience without having to release a new version of your app.
• Reduced App Size: Bitcode allows Apple to optimize your app for specific devices, potentially resulting in a smaller app size. This can be beneficial for users with limited storage space.

Impact on App Development Workflow

Bitcode can impact the app development workflow in several ways:

• Build Time: Building an app with Bitcode enabled can take longer than building an app without Bitcode. This is because Apple needs to compile the Bitcode into native code for each device.
• Debugging: Debugging a Bitcode-enabled app can be more challenging because the code is not directly accessible. You may need to use different tools and techniques to debug your app.
• App Store Review: Apple may reject apps that do not include Bitcode, so it’s important to be aware of Apple’s requirements.

Challenges Developers May Face

While Bitcode offers numerous advantages, developers may face some challenges:

• Debugging: Debugging a Bitcode-enabled app can be more challenging as the code is not directly accessible. Developers may need to use different tools and techniques to debug their apps.
• Build Time: Building an app with Bitcode enabled can take longer than building an app without Bitcode. This is because Apple needs to compile the Bitcode into native code for each device.
• Compatibility: Developers need to ensure their app is compatible with Bitcode and that any third-party libraries they use are also Bitcode-compatible.

Implementing App Thinning in iOS 9

App Thinning is a collection of technologies introduced in iOS 9 to reduce the size of apps distributed through the App Store. It involves optimizing the app’s content and delivering only the necessary parts to each user’s device, resulting in faster downloads, less storage consumption, and a smoother user experience.

Slicing

Slicing is a technique that creates smaller, device-specific versions of your app’s assets, such as images and localization files. This ensures that users only download the assets they need for their device’s screen resolution and language.

To implement Slicing, you need to configure your Xcode project to include asset catalogs. Asset catalogs are a way to manage your app’s assets in a centralized location, making it easier to create different versions of your assets for different devices.

Configuring Asset Catalogs

1. Create an Asset Catalog: In your Xcode project, create a new Asset Catalog file.
2. Add Assets: Add your images, localization files, and other assets to the asset catalog.
3. Set Image Sets: For images, create Image Sets and add different versions of the same image for different resolutions and devices.
4. Set Content Scaling: In the Attributes Inspector, set the Content Scaling for each image to “Automatic.” This will allow Xcode to automatically select the appropriate version of the image for each device.

Example Code Snippet

“`swift
// Example code for using an image from an Asset Catalog
let image = UIImage(named: “MyImage”)
“`

On-Demand Resources

On-Demand Resources allow you to download only the resources your app needs at a particular time. This is especially useful for apps that have large amounts of data, such as games or apps that offer a lot of content.

Implementing On-Demand Resources

1. Create Resource Tags: Create tags for your resources to group them logically. For example, you could create tags for “Level 1,” “Level 2,” and “Level 3” for a game app.
2. Add Resource Tags to Resources: Add the appropriate resource tags to your resources in your Xcode project.
3. Request Resources: When your app needs a specific resource, use the `NSBundle` API to request the resource based on its tag.

Example Code Snippet

“`swift
// Example code for requesting resources on demand
let resourceTag = “Level1”
let resourceBundle = Bundle.main.bundleURL.appendingPathComponent(“Level1.bundle”)
let resources = Bundle(url: resourceBundle)
“`

Bitcode, Ios 9 app thinning

Bitcode is an intermediate representation of your app’s code that is submitted to the App Store. It allows Apple to optimize your app’s binary for different devices and architectures, resulting in smaller app sizes and improved performance.

Enabling Bitcode

1. Enable Bitcode in Xcode: In your Xcode project settings, enable the “Enable Bitcode” option for your target.
2. Build Your App: Build your app with Bitcode enabled.
3. Submit to the App Store: Submit your app to the App Store with Bitcode enabled.

Best Practices

– Use Asset Catalogs: Utilize asset catalogs to manage your app’s assets and take advantage of Slicing.
– Optimize Images: Compress images using tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG to reduce their file size without compromising quality.
– Use On-Demand Resources: Leverage On-Demand Resources to download only the resources your app needs at a particular time, especially for large amounts of data.
– Enable Bitcode: Enable Bitcode to allow Apple to optimize your app’s binary for different devices and architectures.
– Test Thoroughly: Test your app on different devices to ensure that it functions correctly with all the app thinning techniques implemented.

App Thinning Best Practices and Considerations

App thinning is a powerful set of technologies introduced by Apple to optimize app downloads and storage on iOS devices. By strategically implementing these techniques, developers can significantly reduce app sizes, leading to faster downloads, less storage consumption, and a more enjoyable user experience. However, achieving optimal results requires a careful understanding of the best practices and potential challenges associated with app thinning.

Best Practices for Effective App Thinning

• Prioritize On-Demand Resources: Utilize on-demand resources to deliver content only when needed. This allows for a smaller initial download size and avoids unnecessary storage consumption. For example, a game app could download levels as the player progresses, instead of including all levels in the initial download.
• Optimize Images and Assets: Use image formats like WebP or HEIF, which offer better compression ratios compared to traditional formats like JPEG or PNG. Employ lossy compression techniques where appropriate, while ensuring that the quality remains acceptable for the user experience. For example, background images might benefit from higher compression than icons or game assets.
• Employ Bitcode: Enabling bitcode allows Apple to optimize your app’s binary for different device architectures during the app store review process. This can lead to smaller app sizes and improved performance across various devices.
• Use Asset Catalogs: Utilize Xcode’s Asset Catalogs to manage images and other assets. This helps streamline the process of creating and optimizing assets for different device resolutions and screen sizes, reducing overall app size.
• Minimize Redundant Code: Remove any unused or redundant code from your app. This can be achieved through code analysis tools and regular code reviews.
• Leverage Pre-compiled Frameworks: If possible, use pre-compiled frameworks provided by Apple or third-party libraries. These frameworks are already optimized for specific device architectures and can contribute to a smaller app size.
• Test Thoroughly: Thoroughly test your app after implementing app thinning techniques to ensure that all functionalities work correctly and that the user experience remains consistent.

Potential Challenges and Limitations

• Increased Complexity: Implementing app thinning techniques can add complexity to the development process, especially for large and complex apps. Developers need to carefully plan and manage the different components involved, such as on-demand resources and asset catalogs.
• Performance Considerations: While app thinning can significantly reduce download sizes, it’s important to consider potential performance implications. For example, loading on-demand resources might introduce a slight delay if the network connection is slow. Carefully design your app to minimize the impact of these potential delays.
• Limited Support for Older Devices: Some app thinning features might not be supported on older iOS devices. Developers should consider this factor when implementing these techniques.

Recommendations for Optimal Performance and User Experience

• Use On-Demand Resources Strategically: Avoid using on-demand resources for critical app features or functionalities that are essential for the initial user experience. Focus on using them for content that can be loaded later, such as high-resolution images, audio files, or game levels.
• Prioritize User Experience: Always prioritize the user experience when implementing app thinning techniques. If a smaller app size comes at the cost of a degraded user experience, it’s not worth it. Carefully test your app to ensure that performance and responsiveness remain acceptable.
• Monitor App Size and Performance: Regularly monitor your app’s size and performance after implementing app thinning techniques. This allows you to identify any potential issues and make necessary adjustments to optimize your app’s performance and user experience.

The Future of App Thinning

App thinning, a game-changer for mobile app development, is poised for exciting advancements. As the mobile landscape evolves, app thinning techniques will adapt to address emerging challenges and unlock new opportunities.

Potential Advancements in App Thinning

The future of app thinning holds immense potential. It is likely to evolve to address the growing complexity of mobile apps and the ever-increasing demand for faster download speeds and efficient resource utilization.

• Dynamic App Thinning: Imagine an app that automatically adjusts its size based on the user’s device and network conditions. This dynamic approach could involve selectively downloading only the necessary resources, like high-resolution images or specific language packs, when needed.
• AI-Powered App Optimization: Artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionize app thinning by analyzing usage patterns and predicting which resources are most likely to be used. This intelligent optimization could lead to even smaller app sizes and faster download times.
• Enhanced On-Demand Resource Delivery: The ability to download resources on demand could become even more sophisticated. Apps might dynamically load resources based on user behavior, providing a seamless experience while keeping the initial app size minimal.

App Thinning’s Impact on the Mobile App Ecosystem

App thinning is likely to have a profound impact on the mobile app ecosystem, influencing how developers create and distribute apps, and how users interact with them.

• Increased App Adoption: Smaller app sizes will encourage users to download and install apps more readily, leading to greater app adoption rates.
• Enhanced User Experience: Faster downloads and reduced storage consumption will result in a more enjoyable user experience, boosting user satisfaction and engagement.
• Greater Developer Efficiency: App thinning empowers developers to focus on creating richer app experiences without worrying about app size constraints.
• Reduced Network Congestion: By optimizing app sizes, app thinning can contribute to reducing network congestion, particularly in regions with limited bandwidth.

App Thinning is a game-changer for both app developers and users. It not only enhances the user experience by providing faster downloads and installations but also frees up valuable storage space on your device. The future of app development is undoubtedly thinner, faster, and more efficient, thanks to the innovative approach of App Thinning.

Remember iOS 9’s app thinning? It was a game-changer for storage space, and it seems Xiaomi is following suit. They’re planning to sell phones in the US eventually, xiaomi to sell phones in the us eventually , which means they’ll need to optimize their software for American users, including smaller app sizes. So, maybe we’ll see Xiaomi embracing app thinning, too, just like Apple did way back when.