How do I share data between iOS app and today view extension - ios

Question

I'm trying to show the persons name in the today view extension; but I can't seem to do this. I've watched so many YouTube video's but they never helped. So if you can, I want you to answer this.
How the app works: You type your name inside the app. And the it will show in the today view extension.
About the app: I have a text field and button. The textfield is the persons name and the button is the save the name.
I want to show the name in the today extension.
Thank you.

Answer 1

Add the group to the entitlements/capabilities.
Go to the capabilities tab of the app's target
Enable App Groups
Create a new app group, entitled something appropriate. It must start with group..
Let Xcode go through the process of creating this group for you.
Save data to NSUserDefaults with group ID and use it in your extension.
From Apple's App Extension Guide :
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/General/Conceptual/ExtensibilityPG/ExtensionScenarios.html
In the main app, save person name:
let defaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: "your group ID")
defaults!.set("person name", forKey: "key for person name")
defaults!.synchronize()
In the extension, you can use saved person name:
let defaults = UserDefaults(suiteName: "your group ID")
let savedPersonName = defaults!.string(forKey: "key for person name")

Answer 2

Just a quick notice as I too have missed it
In order to get it working create the group on app target
and then on Today's target add Group Capability as well and tick the one just created from the main app's target (it should be listed)

Answer 3

here is a simple example of today extension in this example, I am only showing and updating the user name
this my today extension storyboard image
and today-view-Controller code is:
import UIKit
import NotificationCenter
class TodayViewController: UIViewController, NCWidgetProviding {
#IBOutlet weak var lnameLabel: UILabel!
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
// Do any additional setup after loading the view.
}
override func viewDidAppear(_ animated: Bool) {
if let name = UserDefaults.init(suiteName: "group.com.ahmad.widget")?.value(forKey: "name"){
lnameLabel.text = name as? String
}
else{
lnameLabel.text = "Wait..."
}
}
func widgetPerformUpdate(completionHandler: (#escaping (NCUpdateResult) -> Void)) {
// Perform any setup necessary in order to update the view.
// If an error is encountered, use NCUpdateResult.Failed
// If there's no update required, use NCUpdateResult.NoData
// If there's an update, use NCUpdateResult.NewData
completionHandler(NCUpdateResult.newData)
}
}
I create a storyboard and add a button in this than on his button action I update the user name on today extension
code of viewController is :
class ViewController: UIViewController {
#IBOutlet weak var nameLabel: UILabel!
#IBOutlet weak var nameTextfield: UITextField!
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
// Do any additional setup after loading the view.
}
#IBAction func SetNameOnWigetAction(_ sender: Any) {
nameLabel.text = nameTextfield.text
UserDefaults.init(suiteName: "group.com.ahmad.widget")?.setValue(nameTextfield.text, forKey: "name")
}
}