Deep links to open the app

[weabow 6]

Hi there,

 

I would like to open my app (windows, macos, ios, android & linux) clicking on a link (inside an email for example), and pass to the app a parameter which is inside the link.

 

Is it possible ?

 

Regards

[Lars Fosdal 1793]

On Windows, there is the concepts of file type associations, URL handlers, etc.

On Android, you must use intents.

MacOS and iOS also has intents, but I don't know if FMX support them?

Linux - not sure.

 

[weabow 6]

Thanks.

 

For Windows I know associations, but as I know, it needs to have a file. I've already implemented it and it runs fine with the file. But the need I have is to use a link, something like Zoom...

 

It's a good news to know that on MacOs it can run. On mobiles, I've been told that it can run too, but on Apple maybee there are restrictions ?

 

Linux is not in a hurry for me.

[evolplus 1]

On 9/29/2023 at 7:51 PM, weabow said:

Thanks.

 

For Windows I know associations, but as I know, it needs to have a file. I've already implemented it and it runs fine with the file. But the need I have is to use a link, something like Zoom...

 

It's a good news to know that on MacOs it can run. On mobiles, I've been told that it can run too, but on Apple maybee there are restrictions ?

 

Linux is not in a hurry for me.

I think what you need is register a URL scheme for your app on Windows as follows:
 

procedure RegisterURLScheme(protocol: string);
var
  reg: TRegistry;
begin
  reg := TRegistry.Create;
  reg.RootKey := HKEY_CURRENT_USER;
  reg.OpenKey('Software\Classes\' + protocol, true);
  reg.WriteString('', 'URL:' + protocol);
  reg.WriteString('URL Protocol', '');
  reg.CloseKey;
  reg.OpenKey('Software\Classes\' + protocol + '\DefaultIcon', true);
  reg.WriteString('', ParamStr(0));
  reg.CloseKey;
  reg.OpenKey('Software\Classes\' + protocol + '\shell\open\command', true);
  reg.WriteString('', '"' + ParamStr(0) + '" "%1"');
  reg.CloseKey;
  reg.OpenKey('Software\Classes\' + protocol + '\shell', true);
  reg.WriteString('', 'open');
  reg.CloseKey;
  reg.Free;
end;

Above function register a protocol and set its app association  with the current program ( ParamStr(0) ). e.g. if you register with protocol 'myapp', then the URL will be like myapp://the-encoded-data-as-uri. Inside your app, call ParamStr(1) to get the parameters as URL form.
Note: this solution is specific for Windows platform.

[weabow 6]

Very interesting. Thanks a lot.

[Die Holländer 49]

If you want to avoid the Browser Popup..

 

URLAllowlist.reg

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLAllowlist]

"1"="myapp://*"

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\URLAllowlist]

"1"="myapp://*"

 

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox\WebsiteFilter\Exceptions]

"1"="myapp://*"

[weabow 6]

Great. Thank you

[Alexander Halser 26]

On MacOS and iOS it's called CFBundleURLTypes.

CFBundleURLTypes | Apple Developer Documentation

 

Your app registers a url scheme in info.plist and once installed, you can address and open the app through the registered protocol, similar to Windows.

Edited October 5, 2023 by Alexander Halser

[weabow 6]

It helps a lot. Thank you

[Alexander Halser 26]

Registration of the url scheme will open your app, when such a link is being clicked (e.g. "myregisteredprotocol://this&is&url&data=whatever").

 

However, to receive and decode the url part, your application must implement the IURLEventHandler interface and add an event handler.

Send me a PM if you need code for that.

Edited October 5, 2023 by Alexander Halser

[weabow 6]

Thank you Alexander. I will not hesitate one second...