authentication
This iOS authentication skill provides complete implementation guidance for AuthenticationServices and LocalAuthentication frameworks, covering Sign in with Apple, passkeys with WebAuthn, OAuth flows via ASWebAuthenticationSession, Password AutoFill, credential state management, identity token server validation, and biometric re-authentication. Use it when building login systems requiring modern iOS authentication methods, credential persistence, or secure user identity verification on iOS applications.
git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/dpearson2699/swift-ios-skills /tmp/authentication && cp -r /tmp/authentication/skills/authentication ~/.claude/skills/authenticationSKILL.md
# Authentication
Implement authentication flows on iOS using the AuthenticationServices
framework, including Sign in with Apple, passkeys, OAuth/third-party web
auth, Password AutoFill, and biometric re-authentication.
## Contents
- [Sign in with Apple](#sign-in-with-apple)
- [Credential Handling](#credential-handling)
- [Credential State Checking](#credential-state-checking)
- [Token Validation](#token-validation)
- [Existing Account Setup Flows](#existing-account-setup-flows)
- [Passkeys](#passkeys)
- [ASWebAuthenticationSession (OAuth)](#aswebauthenticationsession-oauth)
- [Password AutoFill Credentials](#password-autofill-credentials)
- [Biometric Authentication](#biometric-authentication)
- [Security Boundaries](#security-boundaries)
- [SwiftUI SignInWithAppleButton](#swiftui-signinwithapplebutton)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)
## Sign in with Apple
Add the "Sign in with Apple" capability in Xcode before using these APIs.
### UIKit: ASAuthorizationController Setup
```swift
import AuthenticationServices
final class LoginViewController: UIViewController {
func startSignInWithApple() {
let provider = ASAuthorizationAppleIDProvider()
let request = provider.createRequest()
request.requestedScopes = [.fullName, .email]
let controller = ASAuthorizationController(authorizationRequests: [request])
controller.delegate = self
controller.presentationContextProvider = self
controller.performRequests()
}
}
extension LoginViewController: ASAuthorizationControllerPresentationContextProviding {
func presentationAnchor(for controller: ASAuthorizationController) -> ASPresentationAnchor {
view.window!
}
}
```
### Delegate: Handling Success and Failure
```swift
extension LoginViewController: ASAuthorizationControllerDelegate {
func authorizationController(
controller: ASAuthorizationController,
didCompleteWithAuthorization authorization: ASAuthorization
) {
guard let credential = authorization.credential
as? ASAuthorizationAppleIDCredential else { return }
let userID = credential.user // Stable, unique, per-team identifier
let email = credential.email // nil after first authorization
let fullName = credential.fullName // nil after first authorization
let identityToken = credential.identityToken // JWT for server validation
let authCode = credential.authorizationCode // Short-lived code for server exchange
// Save userID to Keychain for credential state checks
// See references/keychain-biometric.md for Keychain patterns
saveUserID(userID)
// Send identityToken and authCode to your server
authenticateWithServer(identityToken: identityToken, authCode: authCode)
}
func authorizationController(
controller: ASAuthorizationController,
didCompleteWithError error: any Error
) {
switch (error as? ASAuthorizationError)?.code {
case .canceled, .notInteractive:
break
case .failed:
showError("Authorization failed")
default:
showError("Authorization failed: \(error.localizedDescription)")
}
}
}
```
## Credential Handling
| Credential data | Required handling |
|---|---|
| `user` | Persist this stable, per-team identifier for credential-state checks. |
| `email`, `fullName` | These optional values arrive only on first authorization; cache them immediately. |
| `identityToken`, `authorizationCode` | Send them to the server for validation or exchange; never trust them as client-side proof. |
Treat `realUserStatus` only as a fraud-prevention signal, not authentication
proof.
## Credential State Checking
Check credential state on every app launch. The user may revoke access at
any time via Settings > Apple Account > Sign-In & Security.
```swift
func checkCredentialState() {
let provider = ASAuthorizationAppleIDProvider()
guard let userID = loadSavedUserID() else {
showLoginScreen()
return
}
provider.getCredentialState(forUserID: userID) { state, _ in
DispatchQueue.main.async {
switch state {
case .authorized:
proceedToMainApp()
case .revoked:
// User revoked -- sign out and clear local data
signOut()
showLoginScreen()
case .notFound:
showLoginScreen()
case .transferred:
// App transferred to new team -- migrate user identifier
migrateUser()
@unknown default:
showLoginScreen()
}
}
}
}
```
### Credential Revocation Notification
```swift
NotificationCenter.default.addObserver(
forName: ASAuthorizationAppleIDProvider.credentialRevokedNotification,
object: nil,
queue: .main
) { _ in
// Sign out immediately
AuthManager.shared.signOut()
}
```
## Token Validation
The `identityToken` is a JWT. Send it to your server for validation --
never trust it client-side alone.
Server-side, validate the JWT against Apple's public keys at
`https://appleid.apple.com/auth/keys` (JWKS). Verify: `iss` is
`https://appleid.apple.com`, `aud` matches your bundle ID, and `exp` has not
passed. Exchange the short-lived authorization code on the server and store
the resulting app session token in Keychain.
## Existing Account Setup Flows
On launch, silently check for existing Sign in with Apple and password
credentials before showing a login screen:
```swift
func performExistingAccountSetupFlows() {
let appleIDRequest = ASAuthorizationAppleIDProvider().createRequest()
let passwordRequest = ASAuthorizationPasswordProvider().createRequest()
let controller = ASAuthorizationController(
authorizationRequests: [appleIDRequest, passwordRequest]Discover and configure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi accessories using AccessorySetupKit. Use when presenting a privacy-preserving accessory picker, defining discovery descriptors for BLE or Wi-Fi devices, handling accessory session events, migrating from CoreBluetooth permission-based scanning, or setting up accessories without requiring broad Bluetooth permissions.
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