SDK iOS Builder Chatbot

iOS users are among the most valuable customers in the mobile ecosystem. With over 1.5 billion active Apple devices and an audience that spends significantly more on in-app purchases and subscriptions than any other platform, delivering an exceptional in-app experience on iOS is critical for revenue and retention.

Apple users also have the highest expectations. They notice when an interface does not follow the Human Interface Guidelines, when animations stutter, when dark mode is not supported, or when accessibility features are missing. A chatbot that looks and feels like a native iOS experience is not optional — it is the baseline for user acceptance.

The Conferbot iOS SDK is built from the ground up for Apple's ecosystem. It offers native SwiftUI views and UIKit compatibility, follows the Apple Human Interface Guidelines, supports iOS 13+, and includes accessibility features like VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and full dark mode support. The result is a chatbot that feels like it was built by your iOS team — because the SDK components integrate seamlessly with your existing Swift codebase.

Behind the native interface, the SDK connects to the same no-code chatbot builder, AI engine, and live chat system that powers all Conferbot channels. Build your conversational flows once, and the iOS SDK renders them with Apple-native polish. This guide covers installation, SwiftUI and UIKit integration, accessibility, customization, and best practices for 2026.

The Conferbot iOS SDK supports both Swift Package Manager and CocoaPods, integrating into your Xcode project through standard dependency management workflows.

Option A: Swift Package Manager (Recommended)

1. In Xcode, go to File → Add Package Dependencies
2. Enter the repository URL: https://github.com/conferbot/conferbot-ios-sdk
3. Select the version rule (e.g., "Up to Next Major Version")
4. Click "Add Package" and select the ConferbotSDK library

Option B: CocoaPods

Add to your Podfile:

pod 'ConferbotSDK', '~> 1.0'

Then run:

pod install

Step 2: Initialize the SDK

In your AppDelegate or App struct:

import ConferbotSDK

Conferbot.initialize(botId: "YOUR_BOT_ID")

Step 3: Add the Chat View

SwiftUI:

Use ConferbotChatView directly in your SwiftUI hierarchy:

ConferbotChatView()

Or use the floating button overlay:

ConferbotFloatingButton()

UIKit:

Present the chat as a view controller:

let chatVC = ConferbotChatViewController()

navigationController?.pushViewController(chatVC, animated: true)

Or present modally:

present(chatVC, animated: true)

Step 4: Configure Push Notifications (Optional)

1. Enable Push Notifications capability in your Xcode project
2. Configure APNs certificates or keys in your Apple Developer account
3. Upload the APNs authentication key to the Conferbot dashboard
4. Pass the device token to the SDK: Conferbot.shared.setDeviceToken(deviceToken)

Basic integration takes approximately 15 minutes. The SDK supports iOS 13+, covering 99%+ of active iPhone and iPad devices.

The Conferbot iOS SDK is designed to meet Apple's quality bar and integrate naturally with the iOS development ecosystem.

SwiftUI Native Views

The SDK provides native SwiftUI views that compose naturally with your existing SwiftUI code. ConferbotChatView, ConferbotFloatingButton, and ConferbotMessageBubble are standard SwiftUI views that support modifiers, environment values, and SwiftUI's declarative animation system.

UIKit Compatibility

For apps built with UIKit (or those in the process of migrating to SwiftUI), the SDK provides ConferbotChatViewController — a full-featured UIViewController subclass that works with UINavigationController, tab bars, and modal presentations. You can also embed SwiftUI chat views in UIKit using UIHostingController.

Apple Human Interface Guidelines Compliance

Every visual element follows the HIG. Navigation patterns, button sizes, spacing, typography, and interaction patterns match what iOS users expect. The SDK uses system fonts (SF Pro) by default, respects safe areas, and follows iOS conventions for sheet presentations and gesture-based dismissal.

Dark Mode

Full dark mode support using iOS's semantic colors and adaptive color system. The chat UI automatically adapts when the user toggles between light and dark appearance, matching your app's dark mode implementation. No separate configuration needed — it works out of the box.

Dynamic Type

All text in the chat UI scales with the user's preferred text size setting. Whether the user has set their text to the smallest or largest accessibility size, message text, buttons, and headers adapt correctly. This is not just good practice — it is an App Store requirement for many categories.

VoiceOver Accessibility

Every interactive element in the chat has proper accessibility labels, traits, and hints for VoiceOver users. Message bubbles are announced with sender context, buttons describe their action, and the overall chat flow is navigable with VoiceOver gestures. Full Accessibility Inspector validated.

Push Notifications via APNs

When the bot sends a message while the app is backgrounded, users receive a native iOS push notification via Apple Push Notification service. Tapping the notification opens the chat directly. Badge count management is handled automatically.

Offline Support

Messages sent while offline are queued locally and delivered when connectivity returns. The SDK uses NWPathMonitor for reliable network state detection and Core Data for local message persistence.

The SDK provides extensive customization while maintaining Apple design consistency.

ConferbotTheme

Configure the visual appearance through a theme object:

• accentColor — Primary color for send button, links, and interactive elements (Color type)
• userBubbleColor / botBubbleColor — Separate bubble colors supporting light/dark mode variants
• backgroundColor — Chat screen background (defaults to system background)
• font — Custom font family (defaults to SF Pro for native feel)
• cornerRadius — Message bubble corner radius
• botAvatar — Custom image (UIImage, Image, or remote URL)
• showTimestamps — Toggle message timestamps visibility

SwiftUI Environment Integration

The SDK reads SwiftUI environment values for colorScheme, dynamicTypeSize, and layoutDirection. Your app's environment settings flow through to the chat UI automatically, ensuring consistent behavior without extra configuration.

Custom View Builders

Replace default views with your own SwiftUI implementations:

• messageBubbleBuilder — Custom message bubble view
• inputBarBuilder — Custom text input and send button area
• quickReplyBuilder — Custom quick reply button style
• headerBuilder — Custom chat header view
• emptyStateBuilder — Custom view when there are no messages

Delegate Callbacks

Implement the ConferbotDelegate protocol for event handling:

• conferbotDidReceiveMessage(_:) — Bot message received
• conferbotDidCompleteConversation(_:) — Conversation flow completed
• conferbotDidRequestHandoff(_:) — User requested human agent
• conferbotDidCaptureData(_:) — Contact or form data collected
• conferbotDidEncounterError(_:) — SDK error occurred

For SwiftUI, these are also available as Combine publishers and async/await APIs.

iOS users have the highest lifetime value in mobile. Keeping them engaged and supported within your app directly impacts revenue and retention.

Premium Customer Support

iOS users expect premium experiences. An in-app chatbot provides instant, branded support without the jarring context switch of leaving the app for email or a website. The bot handles routine questions while seamlessly escalating to live agents for complex issues. Apps with in-app support see 40% fewer App Store complaints about customer service.

Subscription Management

Help users understand subscription tiers, manage their plans, troubleshoot payment issues, and handle cancellation requests. For subscription-based iOS apps, proactive chatbot engagement during the trial period can increase conversion by 15-20%. The chatbot can explain features, offer personalized onboarding, and present upgrade options at optimal moments.

Concierge and Personalization

Luxury brands, travel apps, and premium services use the chatbot as a digital concierge. Personalized recommendations, preference management, exclusive access coordination, and VIP support create the white-glove experience that premium iOS users expect and are willing to pay for.

Health and Wellness

Appointment scheduling, health data inquiries, medication reminders, and symptom assessment. Healthcare apps on iOS must balance helpful automation with medical accuracy and privacy compliance. The chatbot handles administrative tasks while directing clinical questions to qualified professionals.

Educational Assistance

Course navigation, study material recommendations, deadline reminders, and interactive learning exercises. Education apps with in-app chatbots report 30% higher daily active usage as students engage with conversational content more frequently than traditional menus.

In-App Commerce

Product recommendations, order tracking, returns, and personalized promotions. For iOS e-commerce apps, the chatbot bridges the gap between browsing and buying with personalized, conversational guidance that converts browsers into buyers.

The Conferbot iOS SDK brings AI-powered chatbot capabilities to your iOS app with a native experience that meets Apple's quality standards. Here is your integration path.

Quick Start

1. Design your chatbot in the Conferbot visual builder — the same bot powers your app, website, and messaging channels
2. Add the SDK via Swift Package Manager or CocoaPods
3. Initialize with your bot ID in AppDelegate or App struct
4. Add the chat view — ConferbotChatView (SwiftUI) or ConferbotChatViewController (UIKit)
5. Customize the theme to match your app's design language
6. Test accessibility — Verify VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and dark mode
7. Configure push notifications for background messaging

Accessibility Checklist

Apple requires and expects accessibility support. The SDK handles most of this automatically, but verify these items before App Store submission:

• VoiceOver navigates through all chat elements correctly
• Dynamic Type scales text to all sizes including accessibility sizes
• Dark mode renders all elements with proper contrast
• The chat interface works in landscape orientation on iPad
• Keyboard avoidance works correctly on all screen sizes

Omnichannel Integration

Your iOS chatbot is part of Conferbot's omnichannel platform. The same bot powers your Android app, website, WhatsApp, and other channels. Build the conversational logic once and reach users on every device and platform they use. Conversations persist across channels — a user who starts in your iOS app can continue on WhatsApp or your website.

The iOS SDK is included in Pro plans and above. View pricing for details, or start building your chatbot flows today with the visual builder and add iOS integration when your app is ready.