Callkit

CallKit

Build VoIP calling features that integrate with the native iOS call UI using CallKit and PushKit. Covers incoming/outgoing call flows, VoIP push registration, audio session coordination, and call directory extensions.

Contents

• Setup
• Provider Configuration
• Incoming Call Flow
• Outgoing Call Flow
• PushKit VoIP Registration
• Audio Session Coordination
• Call Directory Extension and Manager
• Common Mistakes
• Review Checklist
• References

Setup

Project Configuration

1. Enable the Voice over IP background mode in Signing & Capabilities
2. Add the Push Notifications capability
3. For call directory extensions, add a Call Directory Extension target

Key Types

Provider Configuration

Create a single CXProvider at app launch and keep it alive for the app lifetime. Configure it with a CXProviderConfiguration that describes your calling capabilities.

import CallKit

/// CXProvider dispatches all delegate calls to the queue passed to `setDelegate(_:queue:)`.
/// The `let` properties are initialized once and never mutated, making this type
/// safe to share across concurrency domains despite @unchecked Sendable.
final class CallManager: NSObject, @unchecked Sendable {
    static let shared = CallManager()

    let provider: CXProvider
    let callController = CXCallController()

    private override init() {
        let config = CXProviderConfiguration()
        config.localizedName = "My VoIP App"
        config.supportsVideo = true
        config.maximumCallsPerCallGroup = 1
        config.maximumCallGroups = 2
        config.supportedHandleTypes = [.phoneNumber, .emailAddress]
        config.includesCallsInRecents = true

        provider = CXProvider(configuration: config)
        super.init()
        provider.setDelegate(self, queue: nil)
    }
}

Incoming Call Flow

When a required VoIP call push arrives, report the incoming call to CallKit immediately. The system displays the native call UI. You must report required calls before the PushKit completion handler returns -- failure to do so causes the system to terminate your app.

func reportIncomingCall(
    uuid: UUID,
    handle: String,
    hasVideo: Bool
) async throws {
    let update = CXCallUpdate()
    update.remoteHandle = CXHandle(type: .phoneNumber, value: handle)
    update.hasVideo = hasVideo
    update.localizedCallerName = "Jane Doe"

    try await withCheckedThrowingContinuation {
        (continuation: CheckedContinuation<Void, Error>) in
        provider.reportNewIncomingCall(
            with: uuid,
            update: update
        ) { error in
            if let error {
                continuation.resume(throwing: error)
            } else {
                continuation.resume()
            }
        }
    }
}

Handling the Answer Action

Implement CXProviderDelegate to respond when the user answers:

extension CallManager: CXProviderDelegate {
    func providerDidReset(_ provider: CXProvider) {
        // End all calls, reset audio
    }

    func provider(_ provider: CXProvider, perform action: CXAnswerCallAction) {
        // Prepare audio, then fulfill only after the call is actually ready
        configureAudioSession()
        connectToCallServer(callUUID: action.callUUID) { success in
            if success {
                action.fulfill()
            } else {
                provider.reportCall(
                    with: action.callUUID,
                    endedAt: Date(),
                    reason: .failed
                )
                action.fail()
            }
        }
    }

    func provider(_ provider: CXProvider, perform action: CXEndCallAction) {
        disconnectFromCallServer(callUUID: action.callUUID)
        action.fulfill()
    }
}

Outgoing Call Flow

Use CXCallController to request an outgoing call. The system routes the request through your CXProviderDelegate.

func startOutgoingCall(handle: String, hasVideo: Bool) {
    let uuid = UUID()
    let handle = CXHandle(type: .phoneNumber, value: handle)
    let startAction = CXStartCallAction(call: uuid, handle: handle)
    startAction.isVideo = hasVideo

    let transaction = CXTransaction(action: startAction)
    callController.request(transaction) { error in
        if let error {
            print("Failed to start call: \(error)")
        }
    }
}

Delegate Methods for Outgoing Calls

extension CallManager {
    func provider(_ provider: CXProvider, perform action: CXStartCallAction) {
        configureAudioSession()
        // Begin connecting to server
        provider.reportOutgoingCall(
            with: action.callUUID,
            startedConnectingAt: Date()
        )

        connectToServer(callUUID: action.callUUID) {
            provider.reportOutgoingCall(
                with: action.callUUID,
                connectedAt: Date()
            )
        }
        action.fulfill()
    }
}

PushKit VoIP Registration

Register for VoIP pushes at every app launch and send token changes to your server. For iOS 13 SDK+ apps, every report-required VoIP call push must be reported before PushKit completion using CallKit, or LiveCommunicationKit for apps built on that framework. On iOS 26.4+, PKVoIPPushMetadata.mustReport is the gate: true means report before completion; false means no CallKit or LiveCommunicationKit report is required. Missing a required report before completion can terminate the app, and repeated failures may stop VoIP delivery.

import PushKit

final class PushManager: NSObject, PKPushRegistryDelegate {
    let registry: PKPushRegistry

    override init() {
        registry = PKPushRegistry(queue: .main)
        super.init()
        registry.delegate = self
        registry.desiredPushTypes = [.voIP]
    }

    func pushRegistry(
        _ registry: PKPushRegistry,
        didUpdate pushCredentials: PKPushCredentials,
        for type: PKPushType
    ) {
        let token = pushCredentials.token
            .map { String(format: "%02x", $0) }
            .joined()
        // Send token to your server
        sendTokenToServer(token)
    }

    @available(iOS 26.4, *)
    func pushRegistry(
        _ registry: PKPushRegistry,
        didReceiveIncomingVoIPPushWith payload: PKPushPayload,
        metadata: PKVoIPPushMetadata,
        withCompletionHandler completion: @escaping @Sendable () -> Void
    ) {
        guard metadata.mustReport else {
            completion()
            return
        }
        handleIncomingVoIPPush(payload, completion: completion)
    }

    // Keep the older callback for iOS 26.0-26.3 and older deployment targets.
    func pushRegistry(
        _ registry: PKPushRegistry,
        didReceiveIncomingPushWith payload: PKPushPayload,
        for type: PKPushType,
        completion: @escaping () -> Void