Why can't I register my iOS application to handle the image file type?

Question

I have a problem registering image file types to my application. I tried adding the code below to my plist but nothing happens.

<key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleTypeName</key>
            <string>Scary Bug Document</string>
            <key>LSHandlerRank</key>
            <string>Alternate</string>
            <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key>
            <string>None</string>
            <key>LSItemContentTypes</key>
            <array>
                <string>public.image</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>

I noticed that I can register for other file types, such as text (changing the public.image to public.text) but it just won't work with images (the "Open In .." menu is not showing my app).

What could be causing this, and how could I fix it?

score 7 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 11 '13 at 17:00

7

It is now possible to open images from the mail app in iOS 7, it's just somewhat convoluted:

Tap and hold the image. Tap on Quick Look so the image goes fullscreen. Tap the image to show the top toolbar. Tap the open in button at the top right. Scroll the list to the left to find your app.

Be sure to set up your bundle document types for the image types you are interested in.

answered Nov 11 '13 at 17:00

Dimitri Bouniol

735
11
15

Is this a new feature added to iOS7 ? Can you open images from camera roll or just from the mail application ? – Alex Stanciu Feb 25 '14 at 22:36
1

@Artanis Seems like it is new to iOS 7. This also seems to work in every app that exports images *except* the Photos and Camera apps… – Dimitri Bouniol Feb 26 '14 at 02:30

score 7 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 08 '13 at 00:56

Dimitri Bouniol response that it works in iOS 7 via quick look is correct. The following additions to my in info.plist below are how I got it to work for my app. Still have not figured out how to get share in photos or camera roll to work.

  <key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleTypeExtensions</key>
            <array>
                <string>myapp image</string>
            </array>
            <key>CFBundleTypeName</key>
            <string>public.png</string>
            <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key>
            <string>Editor</string>
            <key>LSHandlerRank</key>
            <string>Alternate</string>
            <key>LSItemContentTypes</key>
            <array>
                <string>public.png</string>
                <string>public.jpeg</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>
    <key>UTImportedTypeDeclarations</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>UTTypeConformsTo</key>
            <array>
                <string>public.image</string>
            </array>
            <key>UTTypeIdentifier</key>
            <string>public.png</string>
            <key>UTTypeTagSpecification</key>
            <dict>
                <key>com.apple.ostype</key>
                <string>PNG</string>
                <key>public.filename-extension</key>
                <array>
                    <string>png</string>
                </array>
                <key>public.mime-type</key>
                <string>image/png</string>
            </dict>
        </dict>
        <dict>
            <key>UTTypeIdentifier</key>
            <string>public.jpeg</string>
            <key>UTTypeReferenceURL</key>
            <string>http://www.w3.org/Graphics/JPEG/</string>
            <key>UTTypeDescription</key>
            <string>JPEG image</string>
            <key>UTTypeIconFile</key>
            <string>public.jpeg.icns</string>
            <key>UTTypeConformsTo</key>
            <array>
                <string>public.image</string>
                <string>public.data</string>
            </array>
            <key>UTTypeTagSpecification</key>
            <dict>
                <key>com.apple.ostype</key>
                <string>JPEG</string>
                <key>public.filename-extension</key>
                <array>
                    <string>jpeg</string>
                    <string>jpg</string>
                </array>
                <key>public.mime-type</key>
                <string>image/jpeg</string>
            </dict>
        </dict>
    </array>

it works! and how to share video/audio/image/documents togheter? — Alessio Crestani, May 21 '14 at 09:22
For me it worked by just adding `CFBundleDocumentTypes`. `UTImportedTypeDeclarations` is not needed. — Matoz, May 17 '16 at 13:24

score 2 · Answer 3 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:10

Try:

<key>CFBundleDocumentTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleTypeName</key>
            <string>Scary Bug Document</string>
            <key>LSHandlerRank</key>
            <string>Alternate</string>
            <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key>
            <string>None</string>
            <key>LSItemContentTypes</key>
            <array>
                <string>public.png</string>
                <string>public.jpg</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>

Also, see this other answer on StackOverflow

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 10 '12 at 14:15

2

After doing a bit of research it seems that is not possible to register the app for images. Thanks for your answers.

answered Feb 10 '12 at 14:15

Alex Stanciu

5,183
2
24
31

1

I posted a question on the apple developer forums ... :) you can check it out [link](https://devforums.apple.com/thread/140939?tstart=0) – Alex Stanciu Feb 10 '12 at 14:23
you meant "search it out" not "check it out" otherwise you would have provided a link atleast.. :( – Saurabh Passolia Feb 10 '12 at 14:26
Google Drive and Houzz apps are able to open jpg's so there is definitely a way somehow. – zambono Mar 16 '13 at 13:20
1

Its possible, but you need to follow Dimitri and bret answers. – alexandresoli Feb 25 '14 at 16:34

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 07 '18 at 15:12

Per Apple's documentation, "to add the document type do the following:

Click on the disclosure button for Document Types to open the document types.
In the “Types” section fill in the UTI for the new type.
For the key value type: CFBundleTypeRole.
For the value type: Editor.
For the key value type: LSHandlerRank.
For the value type: Owner."

This works for me using public.image as the UTI.

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Feb 08 '12 at 17:29

1

public.image is an abstract type, try registering for public.png or public.jpeg etc

answered Feb 08 '12 at 17:29

wattson12

11,176
2
32
34

i tried those too but still no luck ... and by the way it should work with public.image as it works for public.text but I am missing something – Alex Stanciu Feb 08 '12 at 18:29

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 25 '12 at 16:34

0

OS will not allow you to open images in your app. I also tried myself a lot of permutation & combination, and confirmed from a few more posts in Apple Support.

answered Nov 25 '12 at 16:34

rishabh

1,155
1
10
17

Why can't I register my iOS application to handle the image file type?

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