> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bloom.diy/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Instant Sharing

> Share your app instantly with a link or QR code—no App Store required.

**Instant Sharing** lets you share your app with others immediately, without waiting for App Store approval or going through complex deployment processes. Anyone with your share link can try your app on their device right away.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bloom-eafef039/FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F/images/preview-mobile.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F&q=85&s=4675bc770f35c6bd7d4ea9340caeb5b1" alt="Instant sharing on mobile" width="3023" height="1564" data-path="images/preview-mobile.jpg" />
</Frame>

## Why instant sharing matters

Traditional app distribution requires:

* Submitting to app stores (days or weeks of review)
* Managing certificates and provisioning profiles
* Separate builds for iOS and Android
* Users downloading and installing from stores

**With Bloom's instant sharing:**

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Share immediately" icon="bolt">
    Generate a link and share it in seconds—no waiting for approval.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test with real users" icon="users">
    Get feedback from testers, clients, or team members before publishing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="No installation required" icon="mobile-screen">
    On iOS, apps run as native App Clips. On other platforms, they run as progressive web apps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Always up to date" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Changes you make in Bloom are reflected immediately in shared links.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How to share your app

### Generate a share link

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click 'Share'" icon="share-nodes">
    In the top toolbar of your Bloom workspace, click the **Share** button.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bloom-eafef039/FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F/images/share-button.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F&q=85&s=d8dcd1a00a0df2dd1baf9ce7d3d25bcd" alt="Share button" width="674" height="298" data-path="images/share-button.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy your app link">
    A modal appears with a shareable URL for your app.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bloom-eafef039/FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F/images/preview-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F&q=85&s=179884ef9634b20553c293edc2beaf69" alt="Share modal" width="764" height="456" data-path="images/preview-modal.png" />
    </Frame>

    Click the **copy icon** to copy the link to your clipboard.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Share the link">
    Send the link to anyone via:

    * Text message or iMessage
    * Email
    * Slack, Discord, or other messaging apps
    * Social media
    * Embed in documentation or demos
  </Step>

  <Step title="Recipients open and try your app">
    When someone opens your link, they'll see your app's landing page with options to preview it on their device.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bloom-eafef039/FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F/images/share-preview.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=FFPKMkGhN_cDZ48F&q=85&s=c985cc1da01399fcea834a8a8d9fae4b" alt="App share preview" width="3016" height="1540" data-path="images/share-preview.jpg" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  **Your app link is public** by default—anyone with the link can access your app. If your app includes authentication, users will need to sign in to access protected features.
</Info>

## Preview on device

For the best testing experience, users can preview your app natively on their device:

### Platform options

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="iOS">
    **App Clip Preview**

    On iOS, Bloom uses **App Clips**—a native iOS feature that lets users run apps instantly without installation.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Scan the QR code">
        Users open their iPhone camera and point it at the QR code displayed in the preview modal.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Tap the notification">
        iOS shows a notification banner to open the App Clip.
      </Step>

      <Step title="App opens instantly">
        The app runs natively on their iPhone—full performance, native UI, and complete functionality.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Check>
      Runs as a native iOS app
    </Check>

    <Check>
      No download or installation required
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Full access to iOS features
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Seamless user experience
    </Check>

    <Info>
      **Optional: Download Bloom app**

      If users experience any issues with the App Clip, they can download the full Bloom app from the App Store for the most reliable experience.
    </Info>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Android">
    **Progressive Web App**

    On Android, shared apps run as progressive web apps (PWAs) in the browser.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Scan the QR code or tap the link">
        Users can scan the QR code with their camera app or tap the share link directly.
      </Step>

      <Step title="App opens in browser">
        The app loads in their default mobile browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add to home screen (optional)">
        Users can add the app to their home screen for quick access—it will behave like a native app.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Check>
      Works in any modern browser
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Can be added to home screen
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Offline capabilities (if configured)
    </Check>

    <Check>
      No separate download needed
    </Check>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Web">
    **Browser Preview**

    On desktop or any device with a web browser, apps open directly in the browser.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Click the share link">
        Users simply click the URL you shared.
      </Step>

      <Step title="App loads in browser">
        The app runs immediately in their web browser—no installation or setup.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Use like any web app">
        Full functionality available, optimized for web viewing.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Check>
      Works on any device with a browser
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Great for desktop testing
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Easy to embed in presentations or demos
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Responsive design adapts to screen size
    </Check>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Common use cases

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Testing with a team" icon="users">
    Share your app link in Slack or email so your team can test on their devices immediately:

    * Designers can verify UI on real devices
    * Product managers can test flows and features
    * Developers can reproduce bugs in their environment
    * No need to set up development environments

    <Tip>
      Since shared apps update live, your team always sees the latest version without needing new links.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Client demos" icon="presentation-screen">
    Show clients your work in progress without complicated setup:

    1. Share the landing page URL in your meeting invite
    2. During the demo, have the client scan the QR code
    3. They can try the app on their own device in real-time
    4. Get immediate feedback while you're together

    <Check>
      No installation barriers
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Works on client's preferred device
    </Check>

    <Check>
      Professional presentation
    </Check>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="User testing" icon="clipboard-check">
    Recruit testers and send them your share link:

    * Get feedback from real users before launching
    * Test across different devices and platforms
    * No TestFlight enrollment or Android beta setup
    * Users don't need Bloom accounts

    <Info>
      Combine with authentication to track which testers are using which features.
    </Info>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Quick prototypes" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    Share early-stage ideas with stakeholders:

    * Validate concepts before building everything
    * Get buy-in from leadership or investors
    * Show progress to keep stakeholders engaged
    * Iterate based on feedback quickly
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Conference or event demos" icon="booth-curtain">
    Perfect for showing your app at events:

    1. Display the QR code on a screen or printed material
    2. Attendees scan with their phones
    3. They experience your app instantly
    4. No need for demo devices or complicated setups

    <Tip>
      Create a short URL or branded link for easier verbal sharing at events.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Understanding App Clips (iOS)

**App Clips** are Apple's technology for instant app experiences on iOS.

### How App Clips work

<Steps>
  <Step title="User scans QR code or taps link">
    Your share link includes an App Clip identifier.
  </Step>

  <Step title="iOS recognizes the App Clip">
    The system shows a banner notification to open the app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="App Clip downloads in background">
    A lightweight version of your app (under 10 MB) downloads instantly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="App opens natively">
    The app runs with full native performance—indistinguishable from an installed app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="App Clip remains available">
    iOS keeps the App Clip for a short time, so users can return to it easily.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Benefits of App Clips

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Native performance" icon="gauge-high">
    Runs as a native iOS app, not a web view—full speed and responsiveness.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Access to iOS features" icon="mobile">
    Can use device features like camera, location, notifications (with permission).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Seamless UX" icon="sparkles">
    Feels exactly like using a regular app—users don't notice the difference.
  </Card>

  <Card title="No storage concerns" icon="hard-drive">
    Takes up minimal space and is automatically cleaned up by iOS.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  **App Clips vs. full app:** If users love your App Clip, they can choose to download the full version from the App Store (if published) for a permanent installation.
</Info>

## Updating shared apps

One of the biggest advantages of instant sharing: **changes are live
immediately**.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Make changes in Bloom">
    Edit your app's UI, add features, fix bugs, or update content.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Changes deploy automatically">
    Bloom updates your app in real-time (no manual deployment needed).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Shared links reflect changes">
    Anyone with your share link sees the updated version instantly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="No need for new links">
    The same share link works for the entire lifetime of your app.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  **This means:** Send one link at the start of a project, and everyone always has access to the latest version.
</Check>

<Warning>
  Be careful with breaking changes! If users are actively testing, major updates might surprise them. Consider communicating updates in advance.
</Warning>

## Sharing vs. publishing

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Instant Sharing">
    **Best for:**

    * Testing and feedback
    * Internal team use
    * Client demos
    * Beta testing
    * Prototypes and MVPs

    **Characteristics:**

    * Instant—no approval process
    * Link-based access
    * Updates automatically
    * No app store listing
    * Limited to users with the link
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="App Store Publishing">
    **Best for:**

    * Public launch
    * Monetization
    * Broad distribution
    * App Store discoverability
    * Official release

    **Characteristics:**

    * Requires app store review
    * Listed publicly in stores
    * More credibility with users
    * Access to app store features (ratings, search, etc.)
    * More control over versioning

    <Card title="Learn about publishing" icon="store" href="/deploying-your-app">
      Ready to publish to app stores? Learn how to deploy your app.
    </Card>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Deploy to App Stores" icon="store" href="/deploying-your-app">
    Ready to publish? Learn how to deploy your app to iOS and Android stores.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Monitor with Logs" icon="terminal" href="/logs">
    Track how users interact with your shared app and catch issues.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backend Dashboard" icon="chart-line" href="/backend-dashboard">
    Monitor performance and health as users test your app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication Setup" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Add sign-in to control access to features in your shared app.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>