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After reading the Apple documentation on extensions, it's not clear how Action Extensions get presented to users. The docs mention the Bing translate use case where actions are presented after users tap the Share button. But what if an app, say a chat app, doesn't have a share button? Another example is if the calling app (not the containing app of the extension) presents an option to invoke an Action Extension.

Are these the only two options? In other words, if an app lacks a Share button and doesn't integrate your extension, there's no way to present an Action Extension?

Crashalot
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That is correct. Actions are always initiated by the user, and always from system-provided UI.

Ian Baird
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Extensions are presented as a possible in a UIActivityViewController. The host app provides the UIActivityViewController with the data context. If your extension adheres to this context, it will be available in the list.

If someone writes an app without the UIActivityViewController then they won't be able to use your extension.

Adam Zielinski
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May be help you. Apple provides sample code for ImageInverter: Creating Action Extensions

There are concept for Action Extensions.

Ashvin
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    Do you know how to run this sample? Compiling code is fine, but when I open Photos app (on iOS 8 beta 5 simulator) and tap on share button, I can't see an option to run this action extension. – Vince Yuan Aug 07 '14 at 18:07
  • @VinceYuan: its action extension so it will appear at bottom line of action sheet, near Copy, Slideshow,etc... scroll to see the the appname item 'Invert Image". – Preetam Jadakar Jan 17 '15 at 11:22