Clickable URLs are broken if message is abbreviated (aka "Tap for More")

[philshem]

• [ X ] I have searched open and closed issues for duplicates
• [ X ] I am submitting a bug report for existing functionality that does not work as intended
• [ X ] This isn't a feature request or a discussion topic

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Bug description

Long messages in a chat are abbreviated and can be viewed by clicking "Tap for More". If the preview ends with a clickable URL, the hyperlinked URL is shortened and when clicked, goes to a link that is not intended (usually a 404)

Steps to reproduce

• Read a long message
• Click the (truncated) link

Actual result:

• Browser opens with an incorrect page

Expected result:

• The app knows that the URL has been truncated and although may not display the entire link, opens the full URL in the browser
• OR, more secure, the app doesn't cut the message on a URL

Screenshots

Device info

Device: iPhone SE 32GB

iOS version: 13.3.1

Signal version: 3.4.3.1

Link to debug log

https://debuglogs.org/425b692c4780df2ee9c725d702cd8c67588c572e72e434ac84c50f93bc953ef8.zip

[denver-s]

Cannot replicate this bug. Tried on iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 13.6.1 and Signal 3.16.0.10

[StevenBlack]

I'd like to confirm this bug.

The URL is really long, and the Read More link truncates the URL. When I tap the URL without expanding the message using `Read More", I get a 404 from the web server because the URL invoked is truncated.

When I expand the message by tapping Read More then the URL works as expected.

Signal 3.21.3.0 on iOS 14.1, iPhone Xs Max.

I hope this helps.

[jiqz]

Bug is replicable on Signal 5.26.8 on iOS 15.2.

[stale[bot]]

Is this still relevant? If so, what is blocking it? Is there anything you can do to help move it forward?

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs.

[StevenBlack]

Hello! I can confirm this is still a bug! Thanks.

[StevenBlack]

More info:

Using Signal 5.29.0 21 on iPhone XS Max running iOS 15.3.1 which is latest.

[StevenBlack]

Can I make a suggestion?

Just get rid of "Read More" truncation.

It's just annoying. Whatever reasons once existed for this probably don't exist anymore?

iOS messaging never does "Read More" truncation. Nor does Android?

[stale[bot]]

Is this still relevant? If so, what is blocking it? Is there anything you can do to help move it forward?

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs.

[StevenBlack]

This clear bug still persists, yes.

[max-signal]

This should be fixed by 1689aec8c6897d947f933f158c9d5a129ff9e62c. Please reopen the issue if you’re still seeing it in the latest version of the app!

[StevenBlack]

\o/ YES! Thanks Max! @max-signal

[laurens94]

@max-signal it seems this issue still persists in some form:

To test it, I used this url to send as Note to self:

https://www.booking.com/hotel/nl/bunk.en-gb.html?aid=304142&label=gen173nr-10CAEoggI46AdIM1gEaKkBiAEBmAEzuAEHyAEM2AED6AEB-AEBiAIBqAIBuAKh6bPGBsACAdICJDBmMzg0ZGIzLWJmNTMtNDFiNy1hZWE5LTE2N2RiOGFiODk0ZdgCAeACAQ&sid=5790693a9fde8be96164ad0698980bab&all_sr_blocks=322674809_229107779_0_34_0&checkin=2025-09-20&checkout=2025-09-21&dest_id=-2140479&dest_type=city&dist=0&group_adults=2&group_children=0&hapos=1&highlighted_blocks=322674809_229107779_0_34_0&hpos=1&matching_block_id=322674809_229107779_0_34_0&no_rooms=1&req_adults=2&req_children=0&room1=A%2CA&sb_price_type=total&sr_order=popularity&sr_pri_blocks=322674809_229107779_0_34_0__15628&srepoch=1758263369&srpvid=88ec2d9f8be30512&type=total&ucfs=1&

[StevenBlack]

I am going to repeat my suggestion from Feb 28, 2022. Three and a half years ago.

Just get rid of "Read More" truncation.

It's just annoying. Whatever reasons once existed for this probably don't exist anymore?

iOS messaging never does "Read More" truncation. Nor does Android?

[laurens94]

I agree that this feature should be removed for normal text messages.

Automatically collapsing messages based on length can be frustrating for people who’ve put time and care into writing them. It also adds extra friction for the recipient, who now has to take an additional action before reading the message and in some cases may not even notice that the message can be expanded at all.

I guess we should continue this discussion back in the Signal Community: https://community.signalusers.org/t/remove-the-need-to-tap-read-more-for-long-messages/13688/37