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Access research-grade Apple sensor and usage data for approved studies with SensorKit.
Access research-grade sensor data using SensorKit for approved studies. Use when an app needs SensorKit entitlement setup, Research Sensor & Usage Data authorization, ambient light, recorded motion, device usage, keyboard metrics, visits, speech, face, wrist temperature, ECG, PPG, acoustic settings, or sleep-session data. Route ordinary motion to CoreMotion and health records/workouts to HealthKit.
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Original instructions from the publisher’s SKILL.md
# SensorKit
Choose the exact `SRSensor` and verify its individual availability. Use
CoreMotion for ordinary motion/activity features and HealthKit for health
records and workouts.
## Contents
- [Overview and Requirements](#overview-and-requirements)
- [Entitlements](#entitlements)
- [Info.plist Configuration](#infoplist-configuration)
- [Authorization](#authorization)
- [Available Sensors](#available-sensors)
- [SRSensorReader](#srsensorreader)
- [Recording and Fetching Data](#recording-and-fetching-data)
- [SRDevice](#srdevice)
- [Common Mistakes](#common-mistakes)
- [Review Checklist](#review-checklist)
- [References](#references)
## Overview and Requirements
SensorKit enables research apps to record and fetch sensor data across iPhone
and Apple Watch. The framework requires:
1. **Apple-approved research study** -- submit a proposal at
[researchandcare.org](https://www.researchandcare.org/resources/accessing-sensorkit-data/).
2. **SensorKit entitlement** -- Apple grants `com.apple.developer.sensorkit.reader.allow`
only for approved studies.
3. **Manual provisioning profile** -- Xcode requires an explicit App ID with the
SensorKit capability enabled.
4. **User authorization** -- the system presents a Research Sensor & Usage Data
sheet that users approve per-sensor.
5. **Delayed retrieval** -- design fetch timing around the canonical
[Data Holding Period](#data-holding-period).
An app can access up to 7 days of prior recorded data for an active sensor.
## Entitlements
Add the SensorKit reader entitlement to a `.entitlements` file. List only the
sensors Apple approved for the study. Common entitlement values include:
```xml
<key>com.apple.developer.sensorkit.reader.allow</key>
<array>
<string>ambient-light-sensor</string>
<string>motion-accelerometer</string>
<string>device-usage</string>
<string>keyboard-metrics</string>
</array>
```
Load the [Entitlement and Usage-Detail Catalog](references/sensorkit-patterns.md#entitlement-and-usage-detail-catalog)
when selecting the exact entitlement string and `NSSensorKitUsageDetail` key
for each approved sensor. Recheck specialized sensors against their individual
`SRSensor` pages.
For manual signing, set Code Signing Entitlements to the entitlements file,
Code Signing Identity to `Apple Developer`, Code Signing Style to `Manual`,
and Provisioning Profile to the explicit profile with SensorKit capability.
## Info.plist Configuration
Three keys are required:
```xml
<!-- Study purpose shown in the authorization sheet -->
<key>NSSensorKitUsageDescription</key>
<string>This study monitors activity patterns for sleep research.</string>
<!-- Link to your study's privacy policy -->
<key>NSSensorKitPrivacyPolicyURL</key>
<string>https://example.com/privacy-policy</string>
<!-- Per-sensor usage explanations -->
<key>NSSensorKitUsageDetail</key>
<dict>
<key>SRSensorUsageMotion</key>
<dict>
<key>Description</key>
<string>Measures physical activity levels during the study.</string>
<key>Required</key>
<true/>
</dict>
<key>SRSensorUsageAmbientLightSensor</key>
<dict>
<key>Description</key>
<string>Records ambient light to assess sleep environment.</string>
</dict>
</dict>
```
If `Required` is `true` and the user denies that sensor, the system warns them
that the study needs it and offers a chance to reconsider.
Use the exact usage-detail dictionary for each requested sensor. Load the
[Entitlement and Usage-Detail Catalog](references/sensorkit-patterns.md#entitlement-and-usage-detail-catalog)
when mapping sensors beyond the motion and ambient-light examples above.
## Authorization
Request authorization for the sensors your study needs. The system shows the
Research Sensor & Usage Data sheet on first request.
```swift
import SensorKit
let reader = SRSensorReader(sensor: .ambientLightSensor)
// Request authorization for multiple sensors at once
SRSensorReader.requestAuthorization(
sensors: [.ambientLightSensor, .accelerometer, .keyboardMetrics]
) { error in
if let error {
print("Authorization request failed: \(error)")
}
}
```
Use one status handler both for the initial check and delegate changes:
```swift
private func applyAuthorizationStatus(
_ status: SRAuthorizationStatus,
to reader: SRSensorReader
) {
switch status {
case .authorized:
reader.startRecording()
case .denied:
reader.stopRecording()
// Direct the user to Settings > Privacy > Research Sensor & Usage Data.
case .notDetermined:
break // Request authorization first.
@unknown default:
break
}
}
applyAuthorizationStatus(reader.authorizationStatus, to: reader)
func sensorReader(_ reader: SRSensorReader, didChange authorizationStatus: SRAuthorizationStatus) {
applyAuthorizationStatus(authorizationStatus, to: reader)
}
```
## Available Sensors
Load the [Sensor Catalog](references/sensorkit-patterns.md#sensor-catalog) to map
each `SRSensor` to its sample type. Request only sensors approved for the study
and recheck the selected sensor's availability and usage-detail key.
## SRSensorReader
`SRSensorReader` is the central class for accessing sensor data. Each instance
reads from a single sensor.
```swift
import SensorKit
// Create a reader for one sensor
let lightReader = SRSensorReader(sensor: .ambientLightSensor)
let keyboardReader = SRSensorReader(sensor: .keyboardMetrics)
// Assign delegate to receive callbacks
lightReader.delegate = self
keyboardReader.delegate = self
```
The reader communicates through `SRSensorReaderDelegate`. Load the
[Delegate Method Catalog](references/sensorkit-patterns.md#delegate-method-catalog)
when wiring the complete authorization, recording, device-fetch, and
sample-fetch lifecycle.
## Recording and Fetching Data
### Start and Stop Recording
```swift
// Begin recording -- sensor stays active as long as any app has a stake
reader.startRecording()
// Stop recording -- framework deactivates the sensor when
// no app or system process is using it
reader.stopRecording()
```
### Fetch Data
Build an `SRFetchRequest` with a time range and target device, then pass it to
the reader:
```swift
let request = SRFetchRequest()
request.device = SRDevice.current
request.from = SRAbsoluteTime(CFAbsoluteTimeGetCurrent() - 86400 * 2) // 2 days ago
request.to = SRAbsoluteTime.current()
reader.fetch(request)
```
Receive results through the delegate:
```swift
func sensorReader(
_ reader: SRSensorReader,
fetching request: SRFetchRequest,
didFetchResult result: SRFetchResult<AnyObject>
) -> Bool {
let timestamp = result.timestamp
switch reader.sensor {
case .ambientLightSensor:
if let sample = result.sample as? SRAmbientLightSample {
let lux = sample.lux
let chromaticity = sample.chromaticity
let placement = sample.placement
processSample(lux: lux, chromaticity: chromaticity, at: timestamp)
}
case .keyboardMetrics:
if let sample = result.sample as? SRKeyboardMetrics {
let words = sample.totalWords
let speed = sample.typingSpeed
processKeyboard(words: words, speed: speed, at: timestamp)
}
case .deviceUsageReport:
if let sample = result.sample as? SRDeviceUsageReport {
let wakes = sample.totalScreenWakes
let unlocks = sample.totalUnlocks
processUsage(wakes: wakes, unlocks: unlocks, at: timestamp)
}
default:
break
}
return true // Return true to continue receiving results
}
func sensorReader(_ reader: SRSensorReader, didCompleteFetch request: SRFetchRequest) {
print("Fetch complete for \(reader.sensor)")
}
func sensorReader(
_ reader: SRSensorReader,
fetching request: SRFetchRequest,
failedWithError error: any Error
) {
print("Fetch failed: \(error)")
}
```
Cast `result.sample` to the sample shape for the reader's sensor. Some streams
return one object per result, while recorded motion, ECG, PPG, and ambient
pressure streams can return arrays of recorded samples.
### Data Holding Period
SensorKit imposes a **24-hour holding period** on newly recorded data. Fetch
requests whose time range overlaps this period return no results. Design data
collection workflows around this delay.
## SRDevice
`SRDevice` identifies the hardware source for sensor samples. Use it to
distinguish data from iPhone versus Apple Watch.
```swift
// Get the current device
let currentDevice = SRDevice.current
print("Model: \(currentDevice.model)")
print("System: \(currentDevice.systemName) \(currentDevice.systemVersion)")
// Fetch all available devices for a sensor
reader.fetchDevices()
```
Handle fetched devices through the delegate:
```swift
func sensorReader(_ reader: SRSensorReader, didFetch devices: [SRDevice]) {
for device in devices {
let request = SRFetchRequest()
request.device = device
request.from = SRAbsoluteTime(CFAbsoluteTimeGetCurrent() - 86400)
request.to = SRAbsoluteTime.current()
reader.fetch(request)
}
}
func sensorReader(_ reader: SRSensorReader, fetchDevicesDidFailWithError error: any Error) {
print("Failed to fetch devices: \(error)")
}
```
### SRDevice Properties
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `model` | `String` | User-defined device name |
| `name` | `String` | Framework-defined device name |
| `systemName` | `String` | OS name (iOS, watchOS) |
| `systemVersion` | `String` | OS version |
| `productType` | `String` | Hardware identifier |
| `current` | `SRDevice` | Class property for the running device |
## Common Mistakes
### DON'T: Attempt to use SensorKit without the entitlement
Obtain Apple's study approval, the sensor-specific entitlement values, and a
matching manual provisioning profile before constructing production readers.
### DON'T: Expect immediate data access
Apply the [Data Holding Period](#data-holding-period); a fetch overlapping the
hold is not proof that recording failed.
### DON'T: Forget to set the delegate before fetching
Assign the delegate before `startRecording()` or `fetch(_:)`; results and
failures arrive through delegate callbacks.
### DON'T: Skip per-sensor Info.plist usage detail
Add the exact [Info.plist Configuration](#infoplist-configuration) usage-detail
entry for every requested sensor.
### DON'T: Ignore SRError codes
Distinguish at least `.invalidEntitlement`, `.noAuthorization`,
`.dataInaccessible`, `.fetchRequestInvalid`, `.promptDeclined`, and unknown
future codes. Load the [Full Delegate Implementation](references/sensorkit-patterns.md#full-delegate-implementation)
for the complete switch and callback wiring.
## Review Checklist
- [ ] Apple-approved research study in place before development
- [ ] `com.apple.developer.sensorkit.reader.allow` entitlement lists only needed sensors
- [ ] Manual provisioning profile with explicit App ID and SensorKit capability
- [ ] `NSSensorKitUsageDescription` in Info.plist with clear study purpose
- [ ] `NSSensorKitPrivacyPolicyURL` in Info.plist with valid privacy policy URL
- [ ] `NSSensorKitUsageDetail` entries for every requested sensor
- [ ] `Required` key set appropriately for essential vs. optional sensors
- [ ] Authorization requested before recording, status checked before fetching
- [ ] Delegate assigned before calling `startRecording()` or `fetch(_:)`
- [ ] Fetch request time ranges account for 24-hour data holding period
- [ ] `SRError` codes handled in all failure delegate methods
- [ ] `fetchDevices()` used to discover available devices before fetching
- [ ] `stopRecording()` called when data collection is complete
- [ ] `sensorReader(_:fetching:didFetchResult:)` returns `true` to continue or `false` to stop
## References
- Extended patterns (delegate wiring, multi-sensor manager, sample type details): [references/sensorkit-patterns.md](references/sensorkit-patterns.md)
- [SensorKit framework](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit)
- [SRSensorReader](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit/srsensorreader)
- [SRSensor](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit/srsensor)
- [SRDevice](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit/srdevice)
- [SRFetchRequest](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit/srfetchrequest)
- [Configuring your project for sensor reading](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/sensorkit/configuring-your-project-for-sensor-reading)
- [com.apple.developer.sensorkit.reader.allow](https://sosumi.ai/documentation/bundleresources/entitlements/com.apple.developer.sensorkit.reader.allow)