# Introduction
> Want to know which games are using Essential Kit? Click [here](https://42matters.com/sdks/ios/voxelbusters-essential-kit).
>
> Includes games from [**Voodoo**](https://www.boomboxgames.net/)**,** [**Azur Games**](https://azurgames.com/)**,** [**BoomBox**](https://www.boomboxgames.net/) and more!
[**Essential Kit**](https://link.voxelbusters.com/essentialkit) (V3) a true cross platform tool for Unity which provides unique and unified way to access native functionality on mobile platforms.
> Supported platforms : **iOS 15+ (till iOS 18)** | **Android 21+ (till API 35) | tvOS (Beta) | Android PC (Beta)**
> **450+** πππππ | Used by **25,000+ developers** world-wide
> As promised, all customers get [Ads Kit](https://link.voxelbusters.com/ads-kit) for Free - No Code Required!
***
### **Important links**
[Unity Forum Thread](https://link.voxelbusters.com/essential-kit-unity-forum) | [Tutorials](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/plugin-overview/settings) | [Support](https://link.voxelbusters.com/essential-kit-support)
### **Highlights**
β’ **Unified** API design | **Never write** code **per platform**
β’ **Easy** installation
β’ No **knowledge** of native platform **services is required**
β’ **Simulate** most feature **behavior in the** Editor
β’ Generate Android **manifest** and **permissions** **as per** feature **usage**
β’ Automatically adds required **capabilities** on iOS and tvOS
β’ Only **select features** you need
β’ Complete **ASMDEF**
β’ Full **source code** is included
β’ Detailed **tutorials** with native platform setup
β’ **Unity cloud build** and batch mode compatible
β’ Actively supported **since 2015**
### **Feature set**
β’ Address Book - Access contacts of the user
β’ App Shortcuts - Utility for adding dynamic shortcuts to app icon for quick access of content
β’ App Updater - Prompt version updates to user
β’ Billing - Privacy First In-App purchases (Consumables/Non-Consumables/Subscriptions)
β’ Cloud Services - Save data in the cloud (iCloud & Saved Games)
β’ Deep Link Services (New!) - Connect your content/screen with a url
β’ Game Services - Leaderboards, Achievements done right
β’ Mail Sharing - Share data through mail
β’ Message Sharing - Share data as messages
β’ Media Library Services - Select, Capture, Save media content (Gallery/Camera)
β’ Native UI Popups (Alert Dialog, Date/Time Picker (New!) - Native alerts
β’ Network Connectivity - Check network connection
β’ Local Notification System - Schedule notifications
β’ Push Notification System - Receive remote notifications
β’ Rate My App - Get ratings
β’ Social Sharing (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp) - Share to social media
β’ Share Sheet - Share images and urls
β’ Task Services - Allows to run app in background
β’ WebView - Access browser within Unity
{% hint style="warning" %}
tvOS platform doesn't support features like Address Book, App Shortcuts, Media Library, Web View, Date Picker and Sharing - As these are natively not supported or allowed by tvOS platform.
However, rest of the features are supported and unsupported features has null implementations ready.
{% endhint %}
### Feature Details and Game-Centric Use Cases
\
π Address Book Access : Fetch device contacts using filters (e.g., only contacts with email or phone), with support for pagination.
* Invite-a-friend features using player contact lists
* Send rewards when friends install the game
* Matchmaking or co-op party suggestions from contact book
* Create guilds or teams from real-world friends
* Share referral codes through known contacts
β‘ Creating Dynamic App Shortcuts: Add or remove custom app icon shortcuts that deep link into specific app content.
* Shortcut to βDaily Rewardsβ or time-limited challenges
* Instant launch into multiplayer mode or last level
* Quick open for character customization or guild chat
* One-tap entry into co-op events or clan war
* Feature newly unlocked mode directly from home screen
π App Updater Integration: Detect if a newer version of the app is available and prompt players (optional or forced).
* Enforce version upgrade before online play
* Prompt update after login during major patches
* Soft update for minor UI improvements
* Support content version compatibility for multiplayer
* Announce and enforce seasonal updates or new maps
π° In-App Purchases (Billing Services / IAP): Uses StoreKit 2 (iOS, tvOS) and Google Billing 7.x (Android). Supports consumables, non-consumables, subscriptions with multiple offers.
* Selling skins, coins, or ad-free upgrades
* Battle pass or season ticket subscriptions
* Restore purchases after reinstall
* Time-limited offers during events
* One-time purchase for special characters
βοΈ Cloud Save for Unity Mobile Games: Cross-device player data sync using iCloud (iOS, tvOS) and Google Play Saved Games (Android).
* Sync progress across devices
* Cloud backup for offline/online games
* Allow iPhone users to switch to iPad
* Resume levels across reinstalls
* Support shared progress in family account scenarios\\
π Deep Link Handling in Unity: Support Universal Links and App Links with payload delivery.
* Invite links to a specific level or match
* Launch into in-game promotions or reward flows
* Enable streamers to share join links
* Referral codes encoded in deep links
* Return players to last session with context
π Game Center & Google Play Game Services Integration: Full support for leaderboards, achievements, and player login.
* Show global leaderboards with score filters
* Progress-based achievements to reward milestones
* Weekly reset leaderboards for retention
* Friends-only scores for casual competition
* Reward unlocks tied to achievements
π₯ Unity Media Picker & Capture Integration: Select or capture media (images, videos) for gameplay, avatars, or sharing.
* Avatar creation using player camera
* Screenshot sharing of in-game achievements
* Photo-based puzzle or AR game mechanics
* Record short clips for social bragging
* Use photos as level textures or objects
ποΈ Native UI Dialogs and Pickers in Unity: Use platform-native alerts, confirmations, and pickers (date/time).
* Choose time for battle match scheduling
* Pick a farming cycle (plant/harvest dates)
* Alert players for irreversible choices
* Confirm restart of tough levels
* Plan weekly events with calendar picker\\
π Network Connectivity Monitor: Monitor real-time online status with event callbacks.
* Auto-pause online matches on disconnect
* Save offline and sync when online returns
* Delay IAP flow until stable connection
* Notify users about server reconnection
* Warn during multiplayer lobbies\\
π Push & Local Notifications: Schedule notifications with calendar/time triggers, repeat, and reboot persistence.
* Daily login reminder at 9AM
* Notify when energy refills
* Remind of upcoming boss fight
* Push promo offers near expiration
* Alert for ranked match open window\\
β App Rating Prompt: Native rating dialog, optional pre-check logic (e.g., after positive event).
* After completing a hard level
* After a streak of wins
* After purchase or reward unlock
* Periodic prompt after active sessions
* Trigger based on happy in-game behavior\\
π€ Social Sharing Support: Native OS share sheet with support for media, text, and urls.
* Share win screen or high score
* Post screenshots to Instagram or Twitter
* Send in-game messages via WhatsApp\\
π Background Task Execution: Execute important background tasks even when the game is minimized or the device is locked. Supports time-limited operations to keep your game state up-to-date without requiring the app to be active.
* Synchronize player progress with backend
* Persist crafting/building timers in real-time even when the player switches apps.
* Upload player session data (kills, score, XP) in battle royale games when the app is backgrounded during match exit.
* Queue asset preloading or downloads (e.g., upcoming event content) while the game is backgrounded.
* Perform final save encryption or checkpoint sync before app sent to background.
\
βοΈ Utilities β Settings & Store Links: Quickly open app settings or direct users to your store page.
* Open app permissions for camera/mic
* Take users to update/download page
* Link to companion app or spin-off game\\
π Web View Integration: Load local or remote webpages inside your game with messaging and JS support.
* Show patch notes or event calendars
* Link to player profile on community hub
* Host user-generated levels in HTML
* Run surveys or feedback forms
* Display marketplace listings or DLC
**Note**
β’ Plugin doesn't include Facebook SDK.
β’ Works with Unity Cloud Build.
### Why Choose Us?
* Custom-coded and privacy-first: We donβt rely on third-party plugins, ensuring full control over your productβs functionality and privacy.
* Fast updates: Weβre often the first to integrate updates for native libraries (e.g., StoreKit 2, Billing Client V6, V7).
* Extensive automation: Includes features like manifest generation, dependency handling, and build post-processing.
* Future plans: Weβre working on open-sourcing major parts of the plugin to avoid vendor lock-in and ensure long-term flexibility.
***
**If you are upgrading from version 2.x, please follow** [**this guide**](https://assetstore.essentialkit.voxelbusters.com/whats-new-in-v3/upgrade-from-v2)**.**
**Third Party Plugins Compatibility**
β’ Plays nicely with [Anti-Cheat Toolkit](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/slug/202695)
***
### **Our other products**
[Cross Platform **Screen Recorder Kit**](http://u3d.as/1nN3)
[**Easy ML Kit**](https://u3d.as/2PMe)
[**Ads Kit**](https://www.github.com/voxelbusters/ads-kit) **(Free & Open Source)**
[**Permissions Kit**](https://www.github.com/permissions-kit) **(Free & Open Source)**
[Reporting Kit](https://u3d.as/2Q6p)
[Cross Platform **Snapchat Kit**](http://u3d.as/1gWc)
[Cross Platform **Story Kit(Instagram)**](http://u3d.as/1pMn)
***
### [Upgrade Strategy & Pricing Overview](https://www.voxelbusters.com/essential-kit.html#upgrade-strategy)
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