When it comes to swift app development for your iOS app, knowing how to open web content within your app is crucial. With three options available – UIWebView, WKWebView, and SFSafariViewController – choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we'll dive into each option, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision for your app.
The Best Practices for Opening Web Content
Before we dive into the specifics of each option, it's essential to understand the best practices for opening web content in your iOS app. If your app requires customized behavior (UI or "behind the scene"), use WKWebView as the default browser. On the other hand, if you want to present a webpage without any customization, SFSafariViewController is the way to go.
UIWebView: The Legacy Option
Apple's legacy in-app Webview, UIWebView, has been around since iOS 4.0. However, with the release of iOS 8, Apple deprecated UIWebView in favor of WKWebView. According to Apple, "In apps that run in iOS 8 and later, use the WKWebView class instead of using UIWebView." If your app supports older versions of iOS, you should detect the OS version at runtime and open web content in WKWebView if it's running iOS 8 or later.
WKWebView: The Recommended Option for Customization
The recommended option for swift app development is WKWebView. This in-app webview allows you to customize the web-browsing behavior in both UI and UX aspects, as well as functionality aspects (such as sending pings to your app server when a page finishes loading). WKWebView also supports the Nitro engine, which means faster rendering – internal tests show that it's 25%-30% faster than UIWebView. Overall, WKWebView is the better performer.
SFSafariViewController: The Standard Interface for Browsing
Released with iOS 9.0, SFSafariViewController essentially acts as a Safari instance within your app. This view controller includes features such as Reader, AutoFill, Fraudulent Website Detection, and content blocking. It shares cookies and other website data with Safari, making it a seamless experience for users. However, as a container app, you can't access or manipulate any activity or interaction within the browser except for the original URL that opens in the browser.
Conclusion
When it comes to swift app development and opening web content in your iOS app, choosing the right option is crucial. By understanding the best practices and strengths of each option – UIWebView, WKWebView, and SFSafariViewController – you can make an informed decision for your app. Remember to prioritize customization with WKWebView or a standard interface with SFSafariViewController, depending on your app's needs. With this guide, you'll be well-equipped to create a seamless web experience for your users.