DevTut

# Handling URL Schemes

# Using built-in URL scheme to open Mail app

# Swift:

if let url = URL(string: "mailto://azimov@demo.com") {
    if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(url) {
        UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
    } else {
        print("Cannot open URL")
    }
}

# Objective-C:

NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:@"mailto://azimov@demo.com"];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:url]) {
    [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
} else {
    NSLog(@"Cannot open URL");
}

# Apple URL Schemes

These are URL schemes supported by native apps on iOS, OS X, and watchOS 2 and later.

Opening link in Safari:

Objective-C

NSString *stringURL = @"http://stackoverflow.com/";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];

Swift:

let stringURL = "http://stackoverflow.com/"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

Starting a phone conversation

Objective-C

NSString *stringURL = @"tel:1-408-555-5555";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];

Swift:

let stringURL = "tel:1-408-555-5555"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

HTML

<a href="tel:1-408-555-5555">1-408-555-5555</a>

Starting a FaceTime conversation

Objective-C

NSString *stringURL = @"facetime:14085551234";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];

Swift:

let stringURL = "facetime:14085551234"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

HTML

<a href="facetime:14085551234">Connect using FaceTime</a>
<a href="facetime:user@example.com">Connect using FaceTime</a>

Opening Messages App to compose an sms to recipient:

Objective-C

NSString *stringURL = @"sms:1-408-555-1212";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];

Swift:

let stringURL = "sms:1-408-555-1212"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

HTML

<a href="sms:">Launch Messages App</a>
<a href="sms:1-408-555-1212">New SMS Message</a>

Opening Mail app to compose an email to recipient:

Objective-C

NSString *stringURL = @"mailto:foo@example.com";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];

Swift:

let stringURL = "mailto:foo@example.com"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
    UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}

HTML

<a href="mailto:frank@wwdcdemo.example.com">John Frank</a>

You can also include a subject field, a message, and multiple recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields. (In iOS, the from attribute is ignored.) The following example shows a mailto URL that includes several different attributes:

mailto:foo@example.com?cc=bar@example.com&subject=Greetings%20from%20Cupertino!&body=Wish%20you%20were%20here!

Note: Compose email dialog can also be presented within app using MFMailComposeViewController.

# Syntax

  • // **canOpenURL** method verifies if there is any app which can handle indicated URL scheme.
  • // Swift UIApplication.sharedApplication().canOpenURL(_ aUrl: NSURL)
  • // Objective-C [[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:(NSURL *)aUrl];
  • // **openURL** method tries to open a resource located by URL. YES/true if it was opened otherwise NO/false.
  • // Swift UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(_ aUrl: NSURL)
  • // Objective-C [[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:(NSURL *)aUrl];

    • # Parameters

    Parameter Meaning
    aUrl a NSURL instance which stores a built-in or custom scheme string

    # Remarks

    In iOS9 and above your app must list any URL schemes it will want to query. This is done by adding LSApplicationQueriesSchemes to Info.plist

    iOS has built-in support for the tel, http/https ,sms, mailto, facetime schemes. It also supports http–based URLs for Youtube, Maps and iTunes apps.

    Examples of built-in URL schemes:

    tel: tel://123456890 or tel:123456890

    http: http://www.google.com

    facetime: facetime://azimov@demo.com

    mailto: mailto://azimov@demo.com

    sms: sms://123456890 or sms:123456890

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCaif2QKfA

    Maps:

  • Using address: `http://maps.apple.com/?address=1,Infinite+Loop,Cupertino,California`
  • Using coordinates: `http://maps.apple.com/?ll=46.683155557,6.683155557`

    • iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/randy-newman/id200900

    Note: Not all special characters are supported in tel scheme (for example * or #). This is done because of security concerns to prevent users from unauthorized redirect of calls, so in this case Phone app won't be opened.

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