Background Assets

Download your app's large content on its own schedule, before people even open it.

Read the documentation WWDC sessions

Introduced

2022

WWDC22

Kind

Framework

Runs on

Get it from

iOS

16.0+

iPadOS

16.0+

Mac Catalyst

16.0+

macOS

13.0+

tvOS

18.4+

visionOS

2.4+

watchOS

Overview

Background Assets downloads content like levels, videos and models outside the app binary, during installation, in the background or on demand, so people can start right away and you can update assets without resubmitting the app.

Apple can host your asset packs for you, with 200 GB included in the Developer Program, and Apple recommends it as the replacement for On-Demand Resources.

Download policies

Essential, prefetch or on-demand packs.

Apple hosting

Apple serves your asset packs, no server needed.

Update independently

Ship new content without resubmitting the app.

Replaces On-Demand Resources

Apple's recommended path forward.

Tutorial.swift

import BackgroundAssets

let manager = AssetPackManager.shared
let pack = try await manager.assetPack(withID: "Tutorial")

// Downloads the pack if needed, returns once it's ready
try await manager.ensureLocalAvailability(of: pack)

let video = try manager.contents(at: "Videos/Introduction.m4v")

History