Auth0 Swift Integration
Auth0.swift is the official Auth0 SDK for Apple platforms (iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS, visionOS). This skill adds complete native authentication to Swift apps using Web Auth (system browser redirect), secure Keychain credential storage via CredentialsManager, and optional biometric protection.
Agent instruction: Before providing SDK setup instructions, fetch the latest release version by running: ``bash gh api repos/auth0/Auth0.swift/releases/latest --jq '.tag_name'`Use the returned version in all dependency lines instead of any hardcoded version below. Current known version:2.18.0`.
When NOT to Use
- Android apps: Use auth0-android
- React Native apps: Use auth0-react-native
- Flutter apps: Use the native Flutter Auth0 SDK
- Web SPAs (React, Angular, Vue): Use auth0-react, auth0-angular, or auth0-vue
- Node.js/Express servers: Use auth0-express
Prerequisites
- iOS 14.0+ / macOS 11.0+ / tvOS 14.0+ / watchOS 7.0+ / visionOS 1.0+
- Xcode 16.x
- Swift 6.0+
- Auth0 account — Sign up free
- Node.js 20+ (for bootstrap script automation)
- Auth0 CLI —
brew install auth0/auth0-cli/auth0(for bootstrap script)
Quick Start Workflow
Agent instruction: Follow these steps in order. If you encounter an error at any step, attempt to fix it up to 5 times before calling AskUserQuestion to ask the user for guidance. Always search existing code first — if there are existing login/logout handlers, hook into them rather than creating new ones.Step 1 — Install SDK
Agent instruction: Check the project directory for an existing package manager file: -Podfilepresent → CocoaPods -Cartfilepresent → Carthage -Package.swiftpresent → Swift Package Manager If none are found, ask viaAskUserQuestion: *"Which dependency manager does your project use — Swift Package Manager, CocoaPods, or Carthage?"* Swift Package Manager —Package.swiftproject: Run this command in the project root to add the dependency automatically, then add"Auth0"to the target'sdependenciesarray inPackage.swift: ``bash swift package add-dependency https://github.com/auth0/Auth0.swift --from 2.18.0`**Swift Package Manager — Xcode project (.xcodeproj, noPackage.swift):** The CLI command does not apply. Instruct the user to add the package via Xcode: File → Add Package Dependencies →https://github.com/auth0/Auth0.swift→ Up to Next Major Version from2.18.0`. CocoaPods or Carthage: Follow the matching installation steps in Setup Guide. Do not just show the instructions — perform the file edits and run the commands.
Step 2 — Configure Auth0
Agent instruction: - If Auth0 credentials (domain AND client ID) are already in the user's prompt: Write Auth0.plist directly with those values and proceed to Step 3. - If no credentials are provided: Run the bootstrap script — do NOT ask the user to create or configure an Auth0 application manually. Always use the CLI path. Follow Setup Guide — Auth0 Configuration for pre-flight checks and the script command.Step 3 — Configure Callback URLs
Agent instruction: 1. ReadAuth0.plistto obtainClientIdandDomain. 2. Extract the bundle identifier fromproject.pbxproj: search forPRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER, skip values containing$(orTests. 3. Ask the user viaAskUserQuestion: *"Which callback URL scheme would you like to use?"* - Custom scheme ({bundle}://) — simpler, works on all Apple platforms - HTTPS Universal Links — recommended for production; prevents URL scheme hijacking Then follow only the matching path below.
Path A — Custom Scheme
Agent instruction: Register the callback URLs using the Auth0 CLI (substitute real values forCLIENT_ID,BUNDLE_ID,DOMAIN): ``bash auth0 apps update CLIENT_ID \ --callbacks "BUNDLE_ID://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback" \ --logout-urls "BUNDLE_ID://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback" \ --no-input`Then follow the [URL scheme registration steps in Setup Guide](https://github.com/auth0/agent-skills/blob/HEAD/plugins/auth0/skills/auth0-swift/./references/setup.md#register-url-scheme-required-for-custom-scheme-callbacks) to register$(PRODUCT_BUNDLE_IDENTIFIER)` as a URL type in Xcode.
Path B — HTTPS Universal Links
Agent instruction: All four steps below are required — skipping any one will cause the callback redirect to fail silently after login. Step B1 — Register callback URLs via Auth0 CLI: Register both HTTPS and custom scheme so the app works in all scenarios: ``bash auth0 apps update CLIENT_ID \ --callbacks "https://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback,BUNDLE_ID://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback" \ --logout-urls "https://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback,BUNDLE_ID://DOMAIN/ios/BUNDLE_ID/callback" \ --no-input`**Step B2 — Configure Device Settings via Auth0 CLI:** ExtractDEVELOPMENT_TEAMfromproject.pbxproj(10-character value, e.g.ABC12DE34F). If not found, ask viaAskUserQuestion: *"What is your Apple Team ID? (developer.apple.com → Account → Membership Details)"*`bash auth0 api patch applications/CLIENT_ID \ --data '{"mobile":{"ios":{"team_id":"TEAM_ID","app_bundle_identifier":"BUNDLE_ID"}}}' \ --no-input`Auth0 will now hosthttps://DOMAIN/.well-known/apple-app-site-associationautomatically — required for Universal Links to work on device. **Step B3 — Add Associated Domains entitlement in Xcode:** Addcom.apple.developer.associated-domainsto the app's.entitlementsfile with bothapplinks:andwebcredentials:entries for the Auth0 domain. See [Setup Guide — Associated Domains](https://github.com/auth0/agent-skills/blob/HEAD/plugins/auth0/skills/auth0-swift/./references/setup.md#associated-domains-setup-https-universal-links) for the complete entitlements XML, Xcode capability steps, and build settings verification. **Step B4 — Use.useHTTPS()in the SDK:**`swift Auth0.webAuth().useHTTPS()``
Step 4 — Implement Authentication
Agent instruction: Search the project for@main struct(SwiftUI) orAppDelegate/UIViewController(UIKit) to detect the UI framework. If ambiguous, ask viaAskUserQuestion: *"Does your app use SwiftUI or UIKit?"* Then follow only the matching path below.
SwiftUI
Agent instruction: CreateAuthenticationService.swiftas anObservableObject, then wire it into the app entry point and root view. Search for the@mainstruct andContentView(or equivalent root view) and update them as shown.
// AuthenticationService.swift
import Auth0
import Combine
class AuthenticationService: ObservableObject {
@Published var isAuthenticated = false
private let credentialsManager = CredentialsManager(authentication: Auth0.authentication())
init() { isAuthenticated = credentialsManager.canRenew() }
func login() async {
do {
let credentials = try await Auth0
.webAuth()
.useHTTPS()
.scope("openid profile email offline_access")
.start()
_ = credentialsManager.store(credentials: credentials)
await MainActor.run { isAuthenticated = true }
} catch WebAuthError.userCancelled { }
catch { print("Login failed: \(error)") }
}
func logout() async {
do { try await Auth0.webAuth().useHTTPS().clearSession() }
catch { print("Logout failed: \(error)") }
_ = credentialsManager.clear()
await MainActor.run { isAuthenticated = false }
}
}// @main App struct — inject AuthenticationService as environment object
@StateObject private var auth = AuthenticationService()
// In body: ContentView().environmentObject(auth)
// Root ContentView — branch on authentication state
@EnvironmentObject var auth: AuthenticationService
// In body: if auth.isAuthenticated { HomeView() } else { LoginView() }For complete SwiftUI app lifecycle wiring, see Integration Patterns.
UIKit
Agent instruction: CreateAuthenticationService.swiftas a plain class, then add login/logout calls to the relevantUIViewController. Also check whether the app usesSFSafariViewController— if so, addWebAuthentication.resume(with:)toAppDelegate/SceneDelegate(see note below).
// AuthenticationService.swift
import Auth0
class AuthenticationService {
private let credentialsManager = CredentialsManager(authentication: Auth0.authentication())
var isAuthenticated: Bool { credentialsManager.canRenew() }
func login() async throws {
let credentials = try await Auth0
.webAuth()
.useHTTPS()
.scope("openid profile email offline_access")
.start()
_ = credentialsManager.store(credentials: credentials)
}
func logout() async throws {
try await Auth0.webAuth().useHTTPS().clearSession()
_ = credentialsManager.clear()
}
}// In your UIViewController
private let auth = AuthenticationService()
@IBAction func loginTapped(_ sender: UIButton) {
Task {
do {
try await auth.login()
await MainActor.run { navigateToHome() }
} catch WebAuthError.userCancelled { }
catch { print("Login failed: \(error)") }
}
}
@IBAction func logoutTapped(_ sender: UIButton) {
Task {
do { try await auth.logout() }
catch { print("Logout failed: \(error)") }
await MainActor.run { navigateToLogin() }
}
}Note — SFSafariViewController only: If the app uses.provider(WebAuthentication.safariProvider())instead of the defaultASWebAuthenticationSession, addWebAuthentication.resume(with: url)toAppDelegate.application(_:open:url:options:)andSceneDelegate.scene(_:openURLContexts:). See Integration Patterns for the exact code.
Step 5 — Verify Build
Agent instruction: Run a build to verify the integration compiles without errors: ``bash xcodebuild build -scheme YOUR_SCHEME -destination "platform=iOS Simulator,name=iPhone 16" `` If the build fails, review error messages and fix up to 5 times before asking the user.Detailed Documentation
- Setup Guide — Auth0 Dashboard configuration, bootstrap script, manual setup, URL scheme registration, CocoaPods/SPM/Carthage install
- Integration Patterns — Web Auth login/logout, CredentialsManager, biometric protection, MFA, organizations, error handling, SwiftUI/UIKit patterns
- API Reference & Testing — Full API reference, configuration options, claims reference, testing checklist, troubleshooting
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Auth0 app type not set to Native | In Auth0 Dashboard, select "Native" when creating the application |
| Missing callback URL in Auth0 Dashboard | Add both https:// Universal Link and {bundle}:// custom scheme to Allowed Callback URLs and Logout URLs |
Auth0.plist not added to Xcode target | Right-click file in Navigator → "Add Files to Target" → check your app target |
Missing offline_access scope | Add "offline_access" to scope string to receive a refresh token for silent renewal |
Tokens stored in UserDefaults | Always use CredentialsManager — it stores tokens in Keychain with access control |
Calling credentialsManager.credentials() before store() | Store credentials from login result before attempting to retrieve |
Opening .xcodeproj instead of .xcworkspace (CocoaPods) | Always open the .xcworkspace file after pod install |
Not calling clearSession() on logout | Always call clearSession() to remove the Auth0 session cookie from the browser |
| Build error "No such module 'Auth0'" | Verify the package is added to the correct target; for CocoaPods, open .xcworkspace |