General Availability of App Actions using the Android Shortcuts framework

Posted by Jessica Dene Earley-Cha, Developer Relations Engineer

We’re pleased to announce the General Availability (GA) of App Actions using shortcuts.xml, part of the Android shortcuts framework. By using the Shortcuts API, it’s never been easier to add a layer of voice interaction to your apps, by simply using the Android tooling, platform, and features you already know. This release means your shortcuts.xml implementations are now fully supported through our support channels.

App Actions let users launch and control Android apps with their voice, using Google Assistant. At Google I/O 2021, we released a beta of App Actions that enabled developers to implement App Actions using the Android shortcuts framework, lowering the development cost of voice enabling apps by leveraging a common framework many developers were already familiar with. Throughout the beta period, we listened to developer feedback and made several improvements to the API, developer tooling, and Assistant comprehension and accuracy of voice commands.

Over the past year we’ve added new features, like the ability to fulfill user voice requests using Android widgets, and in-app voice control. The set of built-in intents supported by App Actions has also expanded to include travel and parking intents suited for use in Android for Cars apps.

See how Strava implemented App Actions to provide a voice-forward experience to their users.

I’m new! How do I get started?

New App Actions developers are encouraged to try the App Actions learning pathway. This learning pathway is a complete training course that prepares new and seasoned Android developers to design and implement voice-enabled app experiences. After completing the pathway, you’ll earn the App Actions with Google Assistant badge on your developer profile.

Check out the latest App Actions news from I/O

We are excited to have had several sessions focusing on App Actions this year at Google I/O.

• How Google Assistant’s architecture powers voice features in your apps: A technical deep dive on Assistant's architecture, and how you add voice to your apps with a few lines of code.
• Google Assistant functionality across Android devices: Assistant has integration paths on many Android devices. We'll talk about how you can voice features to your app.
• Car Talk: Assistant and Android for Cars: Take a closer look at how to add voice functionality to Android Auto apps.
• Workshop: Integrate Android widgets with Google Assistant: A walkthrough of a codelab on how to integrate your Android Widgets as fulfillment to user’s voice request.

My app already uses App Actions. How do I stay supported?

Developers with existing App Actions implementations that use actions.xml are encouraged to migrate their implementation before the end of the support period on March 31st, 2023.

Implementations that leveraged shortcuts.xml during the beta period will continue to work, as they have been without any changes required, until March 31st, 2023.

I have more questions!

There are several ways to get in touch with the App Actions team and interact with the developer community.

• For help with technical questions, visit Stack Overflow and find answers from the App Actions developer community using the 'app-actions' tag.
• Join the discussion and collaborate on the official Reddit community.
• Follow us on Twitter
• Sign up for App Actions Guide Newsletter