Mobile Link Handling

Discussions center on how web links from apps open in browsers or trigger deep links on iOS and Android, with complaints about iOS forcing Safari or in-app views instead of user-preferred browsers and desires for better default browser support.

📉 Falling 0.4x Web Development
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e.g JSON IMO apps.html Safari.app stackoverflow.com BS PWA WWW blogspot.com app links browser apps ios safari open android web default browser

Sample Comments

simion314 Jan 15, 2020 View on HN

Also links in different application will open in what Apple wants not in what browser/app you would like.

mikepurvis Jun 27, 2023 View on HN

Google does something like this with the GMail app on iPhone— you click links and instead of just opening Safari, it pops up a "which browser to use" selector modal, which is really just an advertisement for you to install Chrome.

RocketSyntax Aug 19, 2020 View on HN

Especially when you can redirect to apps or open apps with links

Quiark Feb 9, 2025 View on HN

Does it also handle (let you pick) when opening a web link from another app?

hiccuphippo Apr 12, 2018 View on HN

I use one of the third party apps. I tried the official app but it forces you to open external links in their embedded chrome/webview. The third party simply opens them in my browser.

m-p-3 Oct 12, 2019 View on HN

I wish it was configurable per app. For example, having YouTube links stays in Firefox, but have links to the Play Store apps open within the app.

lenkite Aug 13, 2024 View on HN

Won't be surprised if Apple blocks this too or redirects URLs to open the app in the app store.

jaypeg25 Oct 31, 2022 View on HN

so will I finally be able to open a link in one app that opens in another app and not in safari?

hnriot Sep 1, 2013 View on HN

BS, web links can launch into apps, plenty already do it.

jeeshan Feb 16, 2024 View on HN

its the default browser on my phone especially when i open links from other apps, if that is not captured, then its not much use for me