jordancoin/ios-skills-collection/dpearson2699-ios-security

Claude Code and agent skill by jordancoin/ios-skills-collection

Trust tier 2
  • community
LLM review pending
Source check pending

Checking that the SKILL.md file is still in the repository.

Secure iOS apps with Keychain Services, CryptoKit encryption, biometric authentication (Face ID, Touch ID), Secure Enclave key storage, LAContext, App Transport Security (ATS), certificate pinning, data protection classes, and secure coding patterns. Use when implementing app security features, auditing privacy manifests, configuring App Transport Security, securing keychain access, adding biometric authentication, or encrypting sensitive data with CryptoKit.

Install

npx vskill@latest install jordancoin/ios-skills-collection/dpearson2699-ios-security

SKILL.md

iOS Security

Guidance for handling sensitive data, authenticating users, encrypting correctly, and following Apple's security best practices on iOS.

Contents

Keychain Services

The Keychain is the ONLY correct place to store sensitive data. Never store passwords, tokens, API keys, or secrets in UserDefaults, files, or Core Data.

Storing Credentials
swift
func saveToKeychain(account: String, data: Data, service: String) throws {
let query: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: account,
kSecAttrService as String: service,
kSecValueData as String: data,
kSecAttrAccessible as String: kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly
]
let status = SecItemAdd(query as CFDictionary, nil)
if status == errSecDuplicateItem {
let updateQuery: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: account,
kSecAttrService as String: service
]
let updates: [String: Any] = [kSecValueData as String: data]
let updateStatus = SecItemUpdate(updateQuery as CFDictionary, updates as CFDictionary)
guard updateStatus == errSecSuccess else {
throw KeychainError.updateFailed(updateStatus)
}
} else if status != errSecSuccess {
throw KeychainError.saveFailed(status)
}
}
Reading Credentials
swift
func readFromKeychain(account: String, service: String) throws -> Data {
let query: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: account,
kSecAttrService as String: service,
kSecReturnData as String: true,
kSecMatchLimit as String: kSecMatchLimitOne
]
var result: AnyObject?
let status = SecItemCopyMatching(query as CFDictionary, &result)
guard status == errSecSuccess, let data = result as? Data else {
throw KeychainError.readFailed(status)
}
return data
}
Deleting Credentials
swift
func deleteFromKeychain(account: String, service: String) throws {
let query: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: account,
kSecAttrService as String: service
]
let status = SecItemDelete(query as CFDictionary)
guard status == errSecSuccess || status == errSecItemNotFound else {
throw KeychainError.deleteFailed(status)
}
}
kSecAttrAccessible Values
ValueWhen AvailableDevice-OnlyUse For
kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlockedDevice unlockedNoGeneral credentials
kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlockedThisDeviceOnlyDevice unlockedYesSensitive credentials
kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockAfter first unlockNoBackground-accessible tokens
kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnlyAfter first unlockYesBackground tokens, no backup
kSecAttrAccessibleWhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnlyPasscode set + unlockedYesHighest security

Rules:

  • Use ThisDeviceOnly variants for sensitive data. Prevents backup/restore to other devices.
  • Use AfterFirstUnlock for tokens needed by background operations.
  • Use WhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnly for most sensitive data. Item is deleted if passcode is removed.
  • NEVER use kSecAttrAccessibleAlways (deprecated and insecure).
Keychain Access Groups

Share keychain items across apps from the same team:

swift
let query: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: "shared-token",
kSecAttrAccessGroup as String: "TEAMID.com.company.shared"
]
@AppStorage vs Keychain
StorageUse ForSecurity
@AppStorage / UserDefaultsNon-sensitive preferences (theme, onboarding state, feature flags)Not encrypted at rest
KeychainPasswords, tokens, API keys, secretsHardware-encrypted, access-controlled

Rule: If the data would be embarrassing or dangerous if exposed, it goes in Keychain. Everything else can use @AppStorage.

swift
// Non-sensitive preference -- @AppStorage is fine
@AppStorage("hasCompletedOnboarding") private var hasOnboarded = false
// Sensitive credential -- MUST use Keychain
// WRONG: @AppStorage("authToken") private var token = ""
// CORRECT: Use saveToKeychain(account:data:service:)

Data Protection

iOS encrypts files based on their protection class:

ClassWhen AvailableUse For
.completeOnly when unlockedSensitive user data
.completeUnlessOpenOpen handles survive lockActive downloads, recordings
.completeUntilFirstUserAuthenticationAfter first unlock (default)Most app data
.noneAlwaysNon-sensitive, system-needed data
swift
// Set file protection
try data.write(to: url, options: .completeFileProtection)
// Check protection level
let attributes = try FileManager.default.attributesOfItem(atPath: path)
let protection = attributes[.protectionKey] as? FileProtectionType

Use .complete for any file containing user-sensitive data. The default .completeUntilFirstUserAuthentication is acceptable for general app data.

CryptoKit

Use CryptoKit for all cryptographic operations. Do not use CommonCrypto or the raw Security framework for new code.

Symmetric Encryption (AES-GCM)
swift
import CryptoKit
let key = SymmetricKey(size: .bits256)
func encrypt(_ data: Data, using key: SymmetricKey) throws -> Data {
let sealed = try AES.GCM.seal(data, using: key)
guard let combined = sealed.combined else {
throw CryptoError.sealFailed
}
return combined
}
func decrypt(_ data: Data, using key: SymmetricKey) throws -> Data {
let box = try AES.GCM.SealedBox(combined: data)
return try AES.GCM.open(box, using: key)
}
Hashing
swift
let hash = SHA256.hash(data: data)
let hashString = hash.compactMap { String(format: "%02x", $0) }.joined()
// Also available: SHA384, SHA512
HMAC (Message Authentication)
swift
let key = SymmetricKey(size: .bits256)
// Sign
let signature = HMAC<SHA256>.authenticationCode(for: data, using: key)
// Verify
let isValid = HMAC<SHA256>.isValidAuthenticationCode(signature, authenticating: data, using: key)

For digital signatures (P256/ECDSA), key agreement (Curve25519), ChaChaPoly, and HKDF key derivation, see references/cryptokit-advanced.md.

Secure Enclave

For the highest security, store keys in the Secure Enclave. Keys never leave the hardware. Only P256 is supported.

swift
guard SecureEnclave.isAvailable else { return }
let accessControl = SecAccessControlCreateWithFlags(
nil, kSecAttrAccessibleWhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnly,
[.privateKeyUsage, .biometryCurrentSet], nil
)!
let privateKey = try SecureEnclave.P256.Signing.PrivateKey(accessControl: accessControl)
let signature = try privateKey.signature(for: data) // May trigger biometric prompt
let isValid = privateKey.publicKey.isValidSignature(signature, for: data)
// Persist: store dataRepresentation in Keychain, restore with:
let restored = try SecureEnclave.P256.Signing.PrivateKey(
dataRepresentation: privateKey.dataRepresentation
)

Biometric Authentication

This section covers biometric protection for Keychain items and data access. For user-facing biometric sign-in flows (LAContext.evaluatePolicy as a login mechanism), see the authentication skill.

LocalAuthentication (Face ID / Touch ID)
swift
import LocalAuthentication
func authenticateWithBiometrics() async throws -> Bool {
let context = LAContext()
var error: NSError?
guard context.canEvaluatePolicy(
.deviceOwnerAuthenticationWithBiometrics, error: &error
) else {
// Biometrics not available -- fall back to passcode
if context.canEvaluatePolicy(.deviceOwnerAuthentication, error: &error) {
return try await context.evaluatePolicy(
.deviceOwnerAuthentication,
localizedReason: "Authenticate to access your account"
)
}
throw AuthError.biometricsUnavailable
}
return try await context.evaluatePolicy(
.deviceOwnerAuthenticationWithBiometrics,
localizedReason: "Authenticate to access your account"
)
}
Info.plist Requirement

You MUST include NSFaceIDUsageDescription in Info.plist:

xml
<key>NSFaceIDUsageDescription</key>
<string>Authenticate to access your secure data</string>

Missing this key causes a crash on Face ID devices.

LAContext Configuration
swift
let context = LAContext()
context.localizedFallbackTitle = "Use Passcode"
context.touchIDAuthenticationAllowableReuseDuration = 30
let currentState = context.evaluatedPolicyDomainState // Compare to detect enrollment changes
Biometric + Keychain

Protect keychain items with biometric access:

swift
let access = SecAccessControlCreateWithFlags(
nil,
kSecAttrAccessibleWhenPasscodeSetThisDeviceOnly,
.biometryCurrentSet,
nil
)!
let query: [String: Any] = [
kSecClass as String: kSecClassGenericPassword,
kSecAttrAccount as String: "auth-token",
kSecValueData as String: tokenData,
kSecAttrAccessControl as String: access,
kSecUseAuthenticationContext as String: LAContext()
]

SecAccessControl flags:

  • .biometryCurrentSet -- Requires biometry, invalidated if enrollment changes. Most secure.
  • .biometryAny -- Requires biometry, survives enrollment changes.
  • .userPresence -- Biometry or passcode. Most flexible.

App Transport Security (ATS)

ATS enforces HTTPS by default. Do NOT disable it.

What ATS Requires
  • TLS 1.2 or later
  • Forward secrecy cipher suites
  • SHA-256 or better certificates
  • 2048-bit or greater RSA keys (or 256-bit ECC)
Exception Domains (Last Resort)
xml
<!-- Only for legacy servers you cannot upgrade -->
<key>NSAppTransportSecurity</key>
<dict>
<key>NSExceptionDomains</key>
<dict>
<key>legacy-api.example.com</key>
<dict>
<key>NSExceptionAllowsInsecureHTTPLoads</key>
<true/>
<key>NSExceptionMinimumTLSVersion</key>
<string>TLSv1.2</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</dict>

Rules:

  • NEVER set NSAllowsArbitraryLoads to true. Apple will reject the app.
  • Exception domains require justification in App Review notes.
  • Use exception domains only for third-party servers you cannot control.

Certificate Pinning

Pin certificates for sensitive API connections to prevent MITM attacks.

URLSession Delegate Pinning
swift
import CryptoKit
class PinnedSessionDelegate: NSObject, URLSessionDelegate {
// SHA-256 hash of the certificate's Subject Public Key Info
private let pinnedHashes: Set<String> = [
"base64EncodedSHA256HashOfSPKI=="
]
func urlSession(
_ session: URLSession,
didReceive challenge: URLAuthenticationChallenge
) async -> (URLSession.AuthChallengeDisposition, URLCredential?) {
guard let trust = challenge.protectionSpace.serverTrust,
let chain = SecTrustCopyCertificateChain(trust) as? [SecCertificate],
let certificate = chain.first else {
return (.cancelAuthenticationChallenge, nil)
}

This is the start of the file. Read the full SKILL.md on GitHub.

Security

  • Security scanPassed, 100 of 100Pattern checks on the skill's files.
  • Model reviewNot runA model review is scheduled for the next rescan.

Quality evaluation

  • Task evaluationNot runNo evaluation yet. Run one in Skill Studio.

Source

Popularity

Repository stars
6
7-day trend score
10

Stars and forks are for the whole GitHub repository, not this skill alone. Not refreshed yet.

Works with

Any agent vskill installs to: 56 targets in all. These 39 have a page on this site.

  • Claude Code
  • Cursor
  • GitHub Copilot
  • Windsurf
  • Codex
  • Gemini CLI
  • Cline
  • Amp
  • Roo Code
  • Goose
  • Continue
  • Kilo Code
  • Junie
  • Trae
  • OpenHands
  • Qwen Code
  • AI Agent
  • Tabnine Chat
  • Sourcegraph Cody
  • Amazon Q
  • Firebase Genkit
  • Sweep
  • Devin
  • Phind
  • Mentat
  • Claude Desktop
  • Aider
  • GPT Pilot
  • Plandex
  • bolt.new
  • v0
  • Replit Agent
  • Anse
  • TypingMind
  • BetterChatGPT
  • LibreChat
  • Warp AI
  • Pieces
  • Fig AI
Embed badge
vskill VERIFIED badge
[![vskill VERIFIED](https://verified-skill.com/api/v1/skills/jordancoin/ios-skills-collection/dpearson2699-ios-security/badge)](https://verified-skill.com/skills/jordancoin/ios-skills-collection/dpearson2699-ios-security)

Something wrong with this skill or its page? Tell us.