Of all the new features that iOS 14 introduces to the iPhone, App Clips is probably one of the most abstract. It is difficult to visually demonstrate its functionality, as it just looks like you are accessing the same apps as usual. But this feature could be one of the most useful time-saving tools in Apple's upcoming software.

If you're trying out the beta version or just want to get a head start on this unique new feature, here's everything you need to know about Apple App Clips.

An App Clip is a small piece of an app that allows iPhone users to quickly complete certain tasks. You don't need to install the app to use it, so you can use any App Clip you find immediately. It is like a browser version of the app, which can only be accessed temporarily, but can be opened only when needed to use the device's memory.

App Clips are accessed via either links, NFC tags, or Apple's custom radial QR codes. These clips can be opened from iMessage, Safari, or Apple Maps, and if you find an NFC or QR code version, you can scan it with your phone's camera or the NFC reader on the back of your phone instead.

Either way, a card will pop up at the bottom of the screen indicating which app you are accessing. Tapping Open will take you to a clip, from which you can complete the necessary task or transaction.

In short, any app that can be easily aggregated into two or three context-sensitive screens can become an App Clip. This is not something to be used for games or entertainment apps, unless some enterprising developer figures out how to resurrect Skannerz.

Instead, this would mostly be useful for everyday tasks like signing in and paying with Apple and Apple Pay (which does not require NFC like regular contactless payments) or making impulse purchases based on something a friend sent you. This alone would be useful enough for apps that are used all the time.

However, this could be especially useful for apps that you don't use regularly. For example, if you find a new cafe that uses a non-standard payment or loyalty scheme, or if you need to quickly pay for a parking meter at a place you've never been. It also makes it easier to share among friends, as you can show them particularly poignant tweets or funny Instagram dog videos without having to download an account or app.

This is not a groundbreaking feature, but hopefully it will smooth out the rough edges of the day-to-day, where you have to reluctantly download a new app in order to use a service you only plan to access once. It might also save a little time scrolling through the home screen looking for coffee loyalty apps.

App Clips are Apple's own, but the general idea is not; Google has offered Instant Apps since 2018, allowing developers to offer super-intensive or demo versions of their main product for Google Play Store customers to access . The app would load exactly the data it needs to function, and once it's done, the user could erase it if they so desired.

However, if you want to use the app offline, or if you want to use the app regularly, downloading the regular version is a better option; we do not know if App Clips can be used offline, and we do not know if the app can be used offline. However, like Instant Apps, this system requires an Internet connection.