Usage

Utilities provides cross-platform app store and system settings navigation

Essential Kit Utilities wraps native iOS (UIApplication) and Android (Intent) APIs for common navigation tasks. Essential Kit automatically initializes Utilities - no manual setup needed.

Table of Contents

• Import Namespaces

• Opening App Store Pages

• Opening Application Settings

• Data Properties

• Core APIs Reference

• Common Patterns

• Error Handling

• Advanced: Custom Runtime Configuration

• Related Guides

Import Namespaces

using VoxelBusters.CoreLibrary;
using VoxelBusters.EssentialKit;

Opening App Store Pages

Open Current App's Store Page

Use the configured app store ID from Essential Kit Settings:

public void PromptForReview()
{
    // Opens store page using ID from Essential Kit Settings
    Utilities.OpenAppStorePage();
}

This is perfect for directing users to leave reviews manually.

Open Specific App Store Page

Pass platform-specific identifiers for cross-promotion or companion apps:

using VoxelBusters.CoreLibrary;

public void OpenCompanionApp()
{
    var iosId = RuntimePlatformConstant.iOS("1234567890");
    var androidId = RuntimePlatformConstant.Android("com.company.companion");

    Utilities.OpenAppStorePage(iosId, androidId);
}

Open with String ID

Use a simple string identifier when targeting single platform or handling IDs dynamically:

public void OpenAppById(string appId)
{
    // iOS: numeric App Store ID like "1234567890"
    // Android: package name like "com.company.appname"
    Utilities.OpenAppStorePage(appId);
}

Opening Application Settings

Direct users to system settings when permissions are denied:

public void OnPermissionDenied()
{
    // Show explanation dialog first
    AlertDialog dialog = AlertDialog.CreateInstance();
    dialog.Title = "Permission Required";
    dialog.Message = "Please enable camera access in Settings to use this feature.";
    dialog.AddButton("Open Settings", () =>
    {
        Utilities.OpenApplicationSettings();
    });
    dialog.AddCancelButton("Cancel", () =>
    {
        Debug.Log("User cancelled settings navigation");
    });
    dialog.Show();
}

Platform Behavior:

• iOS: Opens Settings app to the app's dedicated settings page

• Android: Opens app info page in device settings where users can manage permissions

Always show an explanation before opening settings. Users need context about why they're being redirected and what permission to enable.

Data Properties

Item	Type	Notes
RuntimePlatformConstant.iOS/Android	Helper Struct	Wrap platform-specific identifiers so you can provide both IDs in a single OpenAppStorePage call.
Utilities.OpenAppStorePage()	Method	Uses the identifiers configured in Essential Kit Settings to deep link directly to your app’s store listing.
Utilities.OpenApplicationSettings()	Method	Jumps to the operating system’s settings page for your app, letting players re-enable permissions without manual navigation.
UtilityUnitySettings.IsEnabled	bool	Indicates whether the Utilities feature is active; when disabled, navigation helpers do nothing and log an error.

Core APIs Reference

API	Purpose	Returns
Utilities.OpenAppStorePage()	Opens current app's store page using configured ID	Void - launches store app
Utilities.OpenAppStorePage(platformConstants)	Opens store page for specified app with platform IDs	Void - launches store app
Utilities.OpenAppStorePage(appId)	Opens store page using string identifier	Void - launches store app
Utilities.OpenApplicationSettings()	Opens system settings for current app	Void - launches settings app

Common Patterns

Pattern 1: Review Request Fallback

Combine with Rate My App for manual review requests:

public void ManualReviewRequest()
{
    // If rate my app quota exhausted, open store directly
    Utilities.OpenAppStorePage();
}

Pattern 2: Permission Recovery Flow

Guide users through permission re-granting:

public void RecoverCameraPermission()
{
    // Check permission status first
    var status = MediaServices.GetCameraAccessStatus();

    if (status == CameraAccessStatus.Denied)
    {
        ShowPermissionExplanation(() =>
        {
            Utilities.OpenApplicationSettings();
        });
    }
}

void ShowPermissionExplanation(System.Action onOpenSettings)
{
    AlertDialog dialog = AlertDialog.CreateInstance();
    dialog.Title = "Camera Access Needed";
    dialog.Message = "To scan QR codes, enable Camera in Settings > Permissions.";
    dialog.AddButton("Open Settings", () => onOpenSettings?.Invoke());
    dialog.AddCancelButton("Not Now", () => { });
    dialog.Show();
}

Pattern 3: Cross-Promotion

Promote companion apps or DLC:

public void PromoteCompanionApp()
{
    var iosId = RuntimePlatformConstant.iOS("9876543210");
    var androidId = RuntimePlatformConstant.Android("com.company.companion");

    AlertDialog dialog = AlertDialog.CreateInstance();
    dialog.Title = "Check Out Our New Game!";
    dialog.Message = "Download our companion app for exclusive rewards.";
    dialog.AddButton("View in Store", () =>
    {
        Utilities.OpenAppStorePage(iosId, androidId);
    });
    dialog.AddCancelButton("Maybe Later", () => { });
    dialog.Show();
}

Error Handling

Scenario	Trigger	Recommended Action
Store page opens to “item not found”	App not published or incorrect identifier	Double-check the App Store ID / package name in Essential Kit Settings and test on a device signed into the correct store region.
Utilities.OpenAppStorePage appears to do nothing	Feature disabled in settings	Ensure Utilities is enabled in Essential Kit Settings or call Utilities.Initialize with custom settings at runtime.
Settings navigation blocked	User cancels or OS denies request (screen time restrictions)	Explain alternative steps inside the app and provide support contact details if the user cannot adjust settings.
Permission still denied after returning from settings	Player didn’t toggle the switch	Re-run your permission check when the app resumes and show a confirmation dialog if access is still missing.

Advanced: Custom Runtime Configuration

Manual initialization is for advanced scenarios only. Essential Kit auto-initializes Utilities using the EssentialKitSettings asset. Only use Initialize() for runtime-generated settings.

Override settings at runtime if needed:

void Awake()
{
    var settings = new UtilityUnitySettings(isEnabled: true);
    // Configure additional options here if new fields are added in future versions
    Utilities.Initialize(settings);
}

Use cases for manual initialization:

• Loading settings from remote configuration

• Environment-specific utility behaviors (dev vs production)

• Custom logging or debug output preferences

For most games, configure settings in the ScriptableObject instead of manual initialization.

Related Guides

• Pair with Rate My App to provide fallback review options when quota is exhausted

• Use with permission-based features (Camera, Contacts, Notifications) for settings navigation

• Combine with Native UI dialogs for user-friendly permission explanations