Opening the Settings app from another app

Question

As mentioned by Karan Dua this is now possible in iOS8 using UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString see Apple's Documentation.

Example:

Swift 4.2

UIApplication.shared.open(URL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString)!)

In Swift 3:

UIApplication.shared.open(URL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)

In Swift 2:

UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)

In Objective-C

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString]];

Prior to iOS 8:

You can not. As you said this has been covered many times and that pop up asking you to turn on location services is supplied by Apple and not by the App itself. That is why it is able to the open the settings application.

Here are a few related questions & articles:

is it possible to open Settings App using openURL?

Programmatically opening the settings app (iPhone)

How can I open the Settings app when the user presses a button?

iPhone: Opening Application Preferences Panel From App

Open UIPickerView by clicking on an entry in the app's preferences - How to?

Open the Settings app?

iOS: You’re Doing Settings Wrong

From @Yatheeshaless's answer:

You can open settings app programmatically in iOS8, but not in earlier versions of iOS.

Swift:

   UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString)!)

Swift 4:

if let url = NSURL(string: UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString) as URL? {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

Swift 4.2 (BETA):

if let url = NSURL(string: UIApplication.openSettingsURLString) as URL? {
    UIApplication.shared.open(url, options: [:], completionHandler: nil)
}

Objective-C:

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:UIApplicationOpenSettingsURLString]];

YES!! you can launch Device Settings screen, I have tested on iOS 9.2

Step 1. we need to add URL schemes

Go to Project settings --> Info --> URL Types --> Add New URL Schemes

Step 2. Launch Settings programmatically Thanks to @davidcann

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs://"]];

Also we can launch sub-screens like Music, Location etc. as well by just using proper name

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs:root=MUSIC"]];

See this full name list here shared by Henri Normak

---

Update:

As per the comment everyone wants to know what happens after this change to my application submission status?

So YES!! I got successful update submission and application is available on store without any complain.

Just to confirm, I Just downloaded this morning and disabled Location services, and then started the app, which asked me for location permission and then my alert popup was there to send me on settings -> location services page --> Enabled --> That's it!!

![NOTICE: Your app might be rejected ... even if it's approved it can be rejected in future version if you use this method...]4

Seems like you can use the prefs:<area> URL to open the settings and go to specific areas. Apple could change these and break your app so always check if you can open them first.

From this article they have listed some of them for iOS 13.1:

Settings URLs

iCloud

• iCloud: prefs:root=CASTLE
• iCloud Backup: prefs:root=CASTLE&path=BACKUP

Wireless Radios

• Wi-Fi: prefs:root=WIFI
• Bluetooth: prefs:root=Bluetooth
• Cellular: prefs:root=MOBILE_DATA_SETTINGS_ID

Personal Hotspot

• Personal Hotspot: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING
• Personal Hotspot ⇾ Family Sharing: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Family%20Sharing
• Personal Hotspot ⇾ Wi-Fi Password: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Wi-Fi%20Password

VPN

• VPN: prefs:root=General&path=VPN

Notifications

• Notifications: prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID
• Notifications ⇾ Siri Suggestions: prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID&path=Siri%20Suggestions

Sounds

• Sounds: prefs:root=Sounds
• Ringtone: prefs:root=Sounds&path=Ringtone

Do Not Disturb

• Do Not Disturb: prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB
• Do Not Disturb ⇾ Allow Calls From: prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB&path=Allow%20Calls%20From

Screen Time

• Screen Time: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME
• Screen Time ⇾ Downtime: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=DOWNTIME
• Screen Time ⇾ App Limits: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=APP_LIMITS
• Screen Time ⇾ Always Allowed: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=ALWAYS_ALLOWED

General

• General: prefs:root=General
• General ⇾ About: prefs:root=General&path=About
• General ⇾ Software Update: prefs:root=General&path=SOFTWARE_UPDATE_LINK
• General ⇾ CarPlay: prefs:root=General&path=CARPLAY
• General ⇾ Background App Refresh: prefs:root=General&path=AUTO_CONTENT_DOWNLOAD
• General ⇾ Multitasking (iPad-only): prefs:root=General&path=MULTITASKING
• General ⇾ Date & Time: prefs:root=General&path=DATE_AND_TIME
• General ⇾ Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Keyboards: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/KEYBOARDS
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Hardware Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/Hardware%20Keyboard
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Text Replacement: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/USER_DICTIONARY
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ One Handed Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/ReachableKeyboard
• General ⇾ Language & Region: prefs:root=General&path=INTERNATIONAL
• General ⇾ Dictionary: prefs:root=General&path=DICTIONARY
• General ⇾ Profiles: prefs:root=General&path=ManagedConfigurationList
• General ⇾ Reset: prefs:root=General&path=Reset

Control Center

• Control Center: prefs:root=ControlCenter
• Control Center ⇾ Customize Controls: prefs:root=ControlCenter&path=CUSTOMIZE_CONTROLS

Display

• Display: prefs:root=DISPLAY
• Display ⇾ Auto Lock: prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=AUTOLOCK
• Display ⇾ Text Size: prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=TEXT_SIZE

Accessibility

• Accessibility: prefs:root=ACCESSIBILITY

Wallpaper

• Wallpaper: prefs:root=Wallpaper

Siri

• Siri: prefs:root=SIRI

Apple Pencil

• Apple Pencil (iPad-only): prefs:root=Pencil

Face ID

• Face ID: prefs:root=PASSCODE

Emergency SOS

• Emergency SOS: prefs:root=EMERGENCY_SOS

Battery

• Battery: prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE
• Battery ⇾ Battery Health (iPhone-only): prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE&path=BATTERY_HEALTH

Privacy

• Privacy: prefs:root=Privacy
• Privacy ⇾ Location Services: prefs:root=Privacy&path=LOCATION
• Privacy ⇾ Contacts: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CONTACTS
• Privacy ⇾ Calendars: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CALENDARS
• Privacy ⇾ Reminders: prefs:root=Privacy&path=REMINDERS
• Privacy ⇾ Photos: prefs:root=Privacy&path=PHOTOS
• Privacy ⇾ Microphone: prefs:root=Privacy&path=MICROPHONE
• Privacy ⇾ Speech Recognition: prefs:root=Privacy&path=SPEECH_RECOGNITION
• Privacy ⇾ Camera: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CAMERA
• Privacy ⇾ Motion: prefs:root=Privacy&path=MOTION\

App Store

• App Store: prefs:root=STORE
• App Store ⇾ App Downloads: prefs:root=STORE&path=App%20Downloads
• App Store ⇾ Video Autoplay: prefs:root=STORE&path=Video%20Autoplay

Wallet

• Wallet: prefs:root=PASSBOOK

Passwords & Accounts

• Passwords & Accounts: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS
• Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Fetch New Data: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=FETCH_NEW_DATA
• Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Add Account: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=ADD_ACCOUNT

Mail

• Mail: prefs:root=MAIL
• Mail ⇾ Preview: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Preview
• Mail ⇾ Swipe Options: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Swipe%20Options
• Mail ⇾ Notifications: prefs:root=MAIL&path=NOTIFICATIONS
• Mail ⇾ Blocked: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked
• Mail ⇾ Muted Thread Action: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Muted%20Thread%20Action
• Mail ⇾ Blocked Sender Options: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked%20Sender%20Options
• Mail ⇾ Mark Addresses: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Mark%20Addresses
• Mail ⇾ Increase Quote Level: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Increase%20Quote%20Level
• Mail ⇾ Include Attachments with Replies: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Include%20Attachments%20with%20Replies
• Mail ⇾ Signature: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Signature
• Mail ⇾ Default Account: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Default%20Account

Contacts

• Contacts: prefs:root=CONTACTS

Calendar

• Calendar: prefs:root=CALENDAR
• Calendar ⇾ Alternate Calendars: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Alternate%20Calendars
• Calendar ⇾ Sync: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Sync
• Calendar ⇾ Default Alert Times: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Alert%20Times
• Calendar ⇾ Default Calendar: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Calendar

Notes

• Notes: prefs:root=NOTES
• Notes ⇾ Default Account: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Default%20Account
• Notes ⇾ Password: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Password
• Notes ⇾ Sort Notes By: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Notes%20By
• Notes ⇾ New Notes Start With: prefs:root=NOTES&path=New%20Notes%20Start%20With
• Notes ⇾ Sort Checked Items: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Checked%20Items
• Notes ⇾ Lines & Grids: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Lines%20%26%20Grids
• Notes ⇾ Access Notes from Lock Screen: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Access%20Notes%20from%20Lock%20Screen

Reminders

• Reminders: prefs:root=REMINDERS
• Reminders ⇾ Default List: prefs:root=REMINDERS&path=DEFAULT_LIST

Voice Memos

• Voice Memos: prefs:root=VOICE_MEMOS

Phone

• Phone: prefs:root=Phone

Messages

• Messages: prefs:root=MESSAGES

FaceTime

• FaceTime: prefs:root=FACETIME

Maps

• Maps: prefs:root=MAPS
• Maps ⇾ Driving & Navigation: prefs:root=MAPS&path=Driving%20%26%20Navigation
• Maps ⇾ Transit: prefs:root=MAPS&path=Transit

Compass

• Compass: prefs:root=COMPASS

Measure

• Measure: prefs:root=MEASURE

Safari

• Safari: prefs:root=SAFARI
• Safari ⇾ Content Blockers: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Content%20Blockers
• Safari ⇾ Downloads: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=DOWNLOADS
• Safari ⇾ Close Tabs: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Close%20Tabs
• Safari ⇾ Clear History and Data: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=CLEAR_HISTORY_AND_DATA
• Safari ⇾ Page Zoom: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Page%20Zoom
• Safari ⇾ Request Desktop Website: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Request%20Desktop%20Website
• Safari ⇾ Reader: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Reader
• Safari ⇾ Camera: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Camera
• Safari ⇾ Microphone: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Microphone
• Safari ⇾ Location: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Location
• Safari ⇾ Advanced: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=ADVANCED

News

• News: prefs:root=NEWS

Health

• Health: prefs:root=HEALTH

Shortcuts

• Shortcuts: prefs:root=SHORTCUTS

Music

• Music: prefs:root=MUSIC
• Music ⇾ Cellular Data: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:CellularData
• Music ⇾ Optimize Storage: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:OptimizeStorage
• Music ⇾ EQ: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:EQ
• Music ⇾ Volume Limit: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:VolumeLimit

TV

• Settings ⇾ TV: prefs:root=TVAPP

Photos

• Photos: prefs:root=Photos

Camera

• Camera: prefs:root=CAMERA
• Camera ⇾ Record Video: prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Video
• Camera ⇾ Record Slo-mo: prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Slo-mo

Books

• Books: prefs:root=IBOOKS

Game Center

• Game Center: prefs:root=GAMECENTER

You can use this on iOS 5.0 and later: This no longer works.

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs://"]];

iOS 10 update

Apple changed the method to open async on the main thread. However, from now it is only possible to open the app settings in native settings.

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url options:@{} completionHandler:nil];

iOS 9 update

It is now possible to go directly to sub-settings menu. However, a URL scheme has to be created. It can be done using two ways:

1. XCode - You will find it in Target, Info, URL Scheme. Then, just type prefs.
2. Directly adding to *-Info.plist. Add the following: <key>CFBundleURLTypes</key> <array> <dict> <key>CFBundleTypeRole</key> <string>Editor</string> <key>CFBundleURLSchemes</key> <array> <string>prefs</string> </array> </dict> </array>

Then the code:

Swift

UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(NSURL(string:"prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard")!)

Objective-c

[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard"]];