PowerApp Player URL - Parameter Definitions Needed

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Posted on by IAmIntractable

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Here is an resolution I have been chasing for some time:

I can use the PowerApp maker to get the player URL for an app. The URL that is displayed includes two parameters that are unexplained. Extensive searches have found nothing about them.

The parameters:

&Hint - this is follows with what looks like a GUID. What is being referenced?

&Sourcetime - Might be a serialized or encoded value. Certainly not in a typical format.

I often run a PowerApp from a PowerApp, and I do not include these parameters. While the player works, my concern is if the platform is including them in its official link, they must be of some importance (perhaps security).

Can someone provide information on them and how the values are formed?

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Michael E. Gernaey 53,969 Moderator on at

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Hi @IAmIntractable

These are not needed and won't harm you leaving them off, I have never used one ever, I doubt anyone else has.

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Akash1ve 112 on at

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The &Sourcetime parameter remains primarily a timestamp or version indicator. Specifically:

It could represent the exact time the link was generated or the last time the app was modified.

This helps the system validate if cached resources for the app are up-to-date or if it should load fresh content.

&Hint serves as context information for the app instance or player session. Based on how PowerApps handles system parameters, here are some potential uses:

Instance-Level Optimization:
The GUID after &Hint reference a specific app version, preloaded session, or cached resources that are optimized for faster loading.

The &Hint GUID   unique identifier generated for tracking purposes (e.g., to log or trace specific app interactions within PowerApps telemetry).

This could include tracking app performance, errors, or user sessions without exposing sensitive details.t could also help distinguish between multiple sessions of the same app.

Telemetry for Debugging or Analytics

&Hint  pass additional metadata to the app, such as:App runtime hints (e.g., app behavior or mode for loading).

Internal debugging aids for Microsoft's support teams to trace app issues.

Internal App Context:

If the app is part of a series of apps or embedded in another app, &Hint  provide routing context to ensure that the app opens in the correct navigation path.

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IAmIntractable 280 on at

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@Akash1ve

Thank you for the information.

It is still not clear if these parameters are necessary and what happens when they are not included. I am hoping someone from Microsoft will post here with a definitive answer as to their purpose and whether their inclusion improves performance or the user experience.

I'd also like to know if these values change depending on when the URL is requested or when the app is published. If they benefit the user experience I want to keep them in the URL (which I am not currently doing).

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