iOS9: canOpenURL returning false for WhatApp's url scheme

Question

In my current project I need to share text on whatsapp from iOS app.

Here is my code to share text on whatsapp:

NSURL *whatsappURL = [NSURL URLWithString:@"whatsapp://send?text=Hello%2C%20World!"];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL: whatsappURL]) {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL: whatsappURL];
}

but canOpenURL always returning false in iOS9.

Is there any iOS9 privacy policy? Can anyone help me out?

with iOS 9, Apple Transport Security was introduced. Maybe it has something to do with it. It basically says you can´t send any unsecure requests anymore. But I´m not sure if it is the problem in this case. — 最白目, Dec 17 '15 at 08:18
maybe this can help you http://stackoverflow.com/questions/30987986/ios-9-not-opening-instagram-app-with-url-scheme — 最白目, Dec 17 '15 at 08:20
ATS has nothing to do with this. Apple introduced a separate system which requires stating in `info.plist` which schemes an app will use, but it's completely orthogonal to ATS. — Avi, Dec 17 '15 at 08:25

score 62 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 25 '22 at 01:39

62

In iOS 9 you must whitelist any URL schemes your App wants to query in Info.plist under the LSApplicationQueriesSchemes key (an array of strings):

For example:

So in your case, instead of fb and twitter you will have to specify whatsapp.

Note that this mechanism only applies to canOpenURL and not openURL. You do not need to have a scheme listed in Info.plist to be able to open it with openURL.

edited Dec 25 '22 at 01:39

starball

20,030
7
43
238

answered Dec 17 '15 at 09:32

z22

10,013
17
70
126

@MayankModi Glad to help :) – z22 Dec 17 '15 at 09:54
5

For the lazy ones: here is the code for your plist (add it at the end of the main dict node): `LSApplicationQueriesSchemes whatsapp ` – Juan Fran Jimenez Nov 30 '16 at 16:11

score 5 · Answer 2 · answered May 29 '17 at 12:41

In addition to @z22's answer if you need to add it textually (e.g. with Xamarin) then it looks like this:

    <dict>
        ... 

        <key>LSApplicationQueriesSchemes</key>
        <array>
            <string>whatsapp</string>
        </array>
    </dict>

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 18 '15 at 10:09

1

Step:1 Add LSApplicationQueriesSchemes in Info.plist

Step:2 Add whatsapp in items

answered Dec 18 '15 at 10:09

Mobile Apps Expert

1,028
1
8
11

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Sep 12 '17 at 16:25

1

For me the issue was because I was using URL types instead of LSApplicationQueriesSchemes

and it work only for LSApplicationQueriesSchemes

This will not work

This will work

answered Sep 12 '17 at 16:25

Musa almatri

5,596
2
34
33

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 27 '23 at 10:00

for someone who still finding this issue, its because canOpenURL is abuse to check all installed app. use Open instead and wait for async result.

UIApplication.shared.open(url, options: [:], completionHandler: {success in
            if !success { self.screen?.showToast(message: "App not installed")}
        })

iOS9: canOpenURL returning false for WhatApp's url scheme

5 Answers5

Linked