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Question

Links in Web pages on mobile devices

Sep 28, 2018 5:41PM PDT

Why do links in Web pages open in Web pages even if you have the app installed? For example, I tap a link to like a Facebook page, but it opens in tge Web browser, and I'm not even given the option to open it in the Facebook app.

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Clarification of the question
Sep 29, 2018 7:48PM PDT

Ok, I should have been more specific. Let's say I get an email with a sweepstakes, and it says for an additional entry to like the sponsor's FB or Instagram page, wouldn't it make sense for my Android pbone to offer me the option of opening the link in the corresponding app? Do you think that's something that Android OS should do, or is it a flaw in the e-mail? Or do you still think it is perfectly normal?

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Re: clarification
Sep 30, 2018 12:43AM PDT

It's a clear request. But since the link starts with http:// or https:// Android does what it should do with such links, and that is open them in the browser. What you want is an option (a) in Android to look at any link, interpret it, see if a 'corresponding' app is installed and call that app and (b) in the Facebook app to work if called like this. That would need a cooperation between Google and Facebook or Instagram (which happens to be owned by Facebook also).

And, of course, if CNET didn't join this experiment, a link to http://cnet.com should NOT call the CNET app, even if installed, but just the browser. So Android should have an updatable list of 'special' links and 'corresponding' apps (jncluding the earliest version of the app supporting it).

I'd call this a feature request. Contact Google and ask them to include it in the next Android (Android Q. And please include Apple for IOS 13.

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Answer
Sounds right to me.
Sep 29, 2018 10:47AM PDT

A web link is a web link so far.