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Show HN: I built an app I always wanted to quickly share snippets (getsharepal.app)

12 points by deanatoire ↗ HN
Hi! I'm a backend architect by day, an indie iOS developer by night.

This spring, I wanted to experiment with iMessage app extensions for another app I build, and I needed a proof-of-concept that binding a SwiftUI view in this iMessage context would work correctly.

Not only this is possible, but this project became a bit more, because it transformed the way I started sharing piece of information I often need to have at hand.

My first use case was my IBAN sharing, often shared with relatives. Each time I was asked for it, I would have to open my bank app, have a correct internet connection, and a few minutes of my time to find it, copy it, and removing the extra un-needed info from the pasted content.

Instead, opening my newly created iMessage app, and taping it would simply paste it in the iMessage textfield, ready to be sent.

SharePal was born.

Other use cases were quickly found: URLs to my blog posts, apps, and social networks, but also hashtags I often use when I'm microblogging. This is why I also enabled the custom keyboard extension for this app. Behaving similarly to the iMessage app, it was _almost_ free to support.

After finding a UI/UX that would feel right, and adding a few more features that felt right at home for this kind of app, including categories, access restriction by biometry, drag and drop, and Apple Shortcuts integration, the app launched this week in the App Store.

I'm open to discussion about this app. Any improvement or feature request, bug spotting, or marketing advices… I take it all!

I'll also be very happy to share implementation or technical details about this 100% SwiftUI app that packs way more than it seems.

9 comments

[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 30.4 ms ] thread
standing_user
That's neat! Have you ever thought about doing the Android version?
deanatoire
I'm sadly less into Android development. My other app would be the first to get an Android adaptation I think.

For this one, it relies a lot on iOS extensions, that I know about. Not sure what this concept would look like on Android, although I'm sure that the possibilities might be even more flexible on Android than it is on iOS.

iilfat
Sounds interesting. I'd like to jot down important notes from time to time. However, I have a couple of concerns: 1) I'm accustomed to using Apple Notes and 2) What about security? I'm hesitant to trust highly sensitive information to a new app
deanatoire
Hi!

Apple notes is not available to quickly access from iMessage or a custom keyboard. And copy/paste is also a treat in security because: - any app can take the content of your pasteboard, and the pasteboard is shared without consent with other devices sharing the same iCloud account.

My app uses a local storage for the data, and just like notes, put the content over iCloud sync. This allow to prevent losing data when deleting the app. But still provide privacy for the data you put in the app.

Final thoughts: this is not a password manager either. But in my thoughts, something you end up sharing to some folks needs privacy, but not the security of a password manager !

iilfat
I see, thanks for the answer. Just as a comment from potential user: I wouldn't use a keyboard thing, it is not difficult for me open one app if it opens fast (not like a bank app, hate them). And good luck with your product!
deanatoire
It's fast. Data is local first. So even with low/no internet connexion you'll always have fast access to your data ;)
engineercodex
Really great idea! I built something similar for myself but this is looks much much nicer than mine :)
deanatoire
Scratch your own itch always work! Then there is the extra mile of making it work for everyone else, and making it look great. My fiance helped me a lot on the former. She has a lovely taste in color picking!