Request ability to disable AppLinks (website app redirects auto launch apps/App Store)

[badger200]

I hate what Apple calls “AppLinks”, where certain URLs when opened in any app, automatically launch the associated external app without even asking, often losing your workspace/context or possibly even data depending on scenario.

I found an amazing cmdline jailbreak tool “lsdtrip” that either came with unc0ver or an old coolstar release or binpack64, it specifically lists and queries all these schemes.

I found an App Store app I want to disable but was discouraged when I discovered the app’s binary is signed with entitlements for these AppLinks. Making me suspect those entitlements may be what iOS uses to dictate which app will own certain URLs.

Ideally I would be able to see a list of owned URLs (like the “lsdtrip dump” and “lsdtrip whohas” features), and then select which I want to disable.

It seems to be handled by the iOS LaunchServices / lsd components which I am not very knowledgeable on.

I vaguely recall either SafariPlus or another tweak mentioning this last year and the option to disable them, do you have any info on this?

The worst offenders are *.app.link (possibly *.app.links), even switching to Desktop Mode sometimes isn’t sufficient - they STILL auto launch their apps - or even worse, they first open the App Store since you don’t have the app, but then the App Store opens Safari to a new tab, most likely causing iOS memory management to kill your original app and lose all workspace context.

TikTok.com is a good test case I encountered this week. I tried everything, about 30 tests in a row, and every single one resulted in auto launching App Store.

I can’t believe Apple allows this behavior, I really would’ve expected they’d REQUIRE permission from the user before leaving the app “This app wants to open “App Store” - Proceed? (Yes / Cancel)” which DOES happen on some apps... very confusing to me.

[opa334]

Hey, sorry for the late response. There is some database that's managed by CoreServices and being populated by Safari. When you long press an URL and select "Open" or "Open in " it will remember the choice next time you tap on a similar link normally. Making a tweak that asks you every time should be possible, but I don't really plan on adding any new major features into Safari Plus at this time.