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UNIVERSAL LINKS: Don't open in PowerApps container app on iPhone

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Posted on by Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee

According to this blog post, "Universal links" in the format of `https://web.powerapps.com/apps/<appID>` should open in the browser if opened on a laptop and should open in the PowerApps mobile app if opened on an iDevice.

This is not the case.

If I open a link in this format on my iPhone, it opens in the browser with a message:

The message makes it sound like I don't have PowerApps installed on my device (which I do). Then user has to click the link within that message to open the app.

Is there a true universal link that will directly open in the mobile app?

Thanks

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v-xida-msft Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @ericonline ,

Have you installed the PowerApps Mobile App within your iOS device?

Do you want to open a canvas app within PowerApps Mobile App in your iOS device via clicking the App URL?

If you want to open a canvas app within PowerApps Mobile App in your iOS device via clicking the App URL, I afraid that there is no way to achieve your needs in PowerApps currently.

If you would like this feature to be added in PowerApps, please submit an idea to PowerApps Ideas Forum:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/idb-p/PowerAppsIdeas

In default, when you click the App URL in your Mobile device, it would open a web page in browser in your Mobile device rather than open the specific app using PowerApps Mobile App.

In additon, based on the message that you mentioned, it means that your canvas app are using some features/funcationalities are not supported within browser in Mobile deivce. Please consider open your app using PowerApps Mobile App directly, rather than open the app via clicking the App URL.

Best regards,

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi Kris,

1. Yes PowerApps Mobile App is installed on the device
2. The blog post sure makes it sound as if the links are "Universal", one link which opens app in browser if on laptop, same link opens app in the PowerApps mobile app if on mobile device. I guess they are not quite universal.

RE: "In additon, based on the message that you mentioned, it means that your canvas app are using some features/funcationalities are not supported within browser in Mobile deivce.":
This app only connects to Sharepoint lists. No unique functionality
I believe the message is incorrect.

RE: "Please consider open your app using PowerApps Mobile App directly, rather than open the app via clicking the App URL." :
I'm trying to make it easier for USERS to open the app.
Having to train new users on how to open the app on a laptop vs. how to open the app on a mobile device is a pain.
It sounded that Universal Links solved this problem, but apparently not

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Thanks for sharing this information @ericonline. I will forward this on to see if the blog post needs to be updated

@Anonymous

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iAm_ManCat 18,256 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi,

Do we have any update on this?

I'm trying to help a friend with their PowerApps iDevices, and they are facing the same issue. They only use iDevices.

Kind Regards,

Sancho

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iAm_ManCat 18,256 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Hi!

We were able to get around this issue using the link format:

Launch("/providers/Microsoft.PowerApps/apps/[YourAppIDHere]")

Which then opened powerapps regardless of mobile device (iphone/android/etc).

The only caveat is that if you are opening from PC, it opens in the browser, and it opens the Editor if you have Owner rights to the App.

Cheers,

Sancho

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Hi @iAm_ManCat ,

The link you mentioned looks like an "in-app" link (a hyperlink FROM WITHIN a PowerApp TO another PowerApp).

My initial post was regarding a hyperlink that when clicked...

...from an email which has been opened on an iPhone/Android, will open a given PowerApp in the PowerApp container app

...from an email which has been opened on a laptop, will open a given PowerApp in the browser

I'm looking to send a single hyperlink to users which will open a PowerApp regardless of which device they are on.

Have you come across a method for this?

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iAm_ManCat 18,256 Most Valuable Professional on at

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Ahhh, sorry I had a similar but not-quite-exact issue!

The issue we faced was that on iOS devices, the in-App launch links did not open within the App but opened a browser on the mobile instead - resolved using that format I suggested.

In terms of your issue, the problem is that the device determines how it opens hyperlinks, so I don't think you can set PowerApps to have a link like that.
Your mobile device will read the link as a hyperlink and open it with App that is associated for hyperlinks for that device so if Edge is set as default, it will use that or etc etc - but a PowerApps link that will always open in App/Browser is not really possible at present (to my knowledge) due to link being read by the phone and only one associated mobile app being allowed by most mobile devices for any action - ie if you open .eml or .msg files, it will try open it with whatever mail client you have set by default on that particular device.

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teylyn1 362 on at

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This is a muddly mess. May I quote from the blog post announcing universal links:

Universal links brings these two worlds together. You can use a single HTTPs URL to launch your app either in the mobile app or in the web browser based on your preference. The URL also accept query strings, which you can use to pass parameters to the app.
https://web.powerapps.com/apps/<appid>
If the user using the link does not have the app installed on mobile, the app runs in the browser automatically.

I use that link in an email. On iPhone, when Safari is the default browser to open links from the Outlook app, the PowerApps container app for iPhone opens but claims that the app is not installed correctly and I have to manually tap the app I want to open.

When Edge is the default browser to open links from the Outlook app in iOS, the app opens in Edge in the browser. This is usable, but when the app is closed you end up with the horrible Dynamics page. That's why I want to open PowerApps proper and not the browser.

My colleague uses an Android and the link from Outlook opens the PowerApps container and then the correct app. Perfect.

Can someone please figure out what is going on here and how to make that work on an iPhone?

@v-xida-msft @Anonymous

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Community Power Pla... Microsoft Employee on at

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Still having this exact issue. @teylyn1 did you find a fix?

I'm constantly banging my head against the wall with powerapps. One minutes it is lacking documentation, the studie/apps are unstable, the next it is basic such as this functionality...

//PNman

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ChriHan Microsoft Employee on at

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https://web.powerapps.com/apps/88934ea8-7d70-44b3-8d40-xxxxxxxxxxx?parameter_id=1234
this format works for me in a mobile notification on iOS. The problem now is that it only works first time your app in close state (power app container only). If you keep your app opened, the next parameter seems won't get updated.

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