📱Open an external App/URL

Natively allows you to open web URL, trigger other installed applications, or direct users to their device system settings.

Use the In-App Browser for web pages to keep users inside your app. Use the System Browser (device's default browser) for file downloads or third-party authentication to ensure system compatibility.

Why use Open an external App/URL?

• In-App Browsing: Display content (like articles or Terms of Service) in a temporary window within your app. This allows them to return to your app with a single tap.

• System Browser (Default): Hand over the URL to the device’s default browser (Safari or Chrome). Use this for file downloads, third-party authentication (OAuth), or external services that require the user's saved passwords and browser history.

• Deep Linking: Launch other installed apps directly. This is perfect for opening a specific location in Google Maps, starting a WhatsApp chat, or triggering a dialer with a pre-filled phone number.

Open external URL

Bubble.io Plugin

To use these features, ensure your Natively iOS & Android app builder Plugin is updated to the latest version. You can trigger these actions from any Bubble workflow.

Action Natively - Open external url

• URL: The destination address (e.g., https://example.com).

• External (yes/no):

  • no: Opens inside the app's browser (with a "Close" icon).

  

  
• yes: Launches the system browser (Safari/Chrome).

JavaScript SDK

Ensure your Natively JS SDK is updated to the latest version. You can invoke these methods directly from your JavaScript logic.

// Parameters: (url: string, external: boolean)
const url = "https://example.com/";
const external = true; // true = System Browser, false = In-App Browser

window.natively.openExternalURL(url, external);

Critical for Social Auth: You must set this to true for Social Authentication flows (e.g., Google, LinkedIn, or Facebook Login). OAuth providers specifically blocks login attempts made inside embedded webviews for security.

const external = false; // In-App Browser

const external = true; // System Browser

Open external App

Opens another application using a URL scheme.

• Critical Setup: To use an app scheme in your app, you must whitelist it in your Natively Dashboard > Settings > External App Schemes. Because this change modifies the app's code, you must create a new build after adding a new scheme for the changes to take effect.

How to add app schemes: For a walkthrough on configuring these in your dashboard, please refer to our Settings Guide.

Bubble.io Plugin

To use these features, ensure your Natively iOS & Android app builder Plugin is updated to the latest version. You can trigger these actions from any Bubble workflow.

Action Natively - Open external app

• App url: The app's unique scheme (e.g., whatsapp://).

• Check this comprehensive list for common iOS/Android schemes.

JavaScript SDK

Ensure your Natively JS SDK is updated to the latest version. You can invoke these methods directly from your JavaScript logic.

const scheme = "whatsapp://send?phone=000000000&text=Hi!"; // Example to open the Whatsapp
window.natively.openExternalApp(scheme);

Troubleshooting

Missing URL Protocol

Ensure your URLs always start with the protocol. For example, example.com will fail, while https://example.com will work. For app schemes, ensure you include the :// suffix. For example, whatsapp will fail, while whatsapp:// will work.

App Not Installed

When using Open External App, the native system will only respond if the target application is actually installed on the user's device. If the app is missing, the command will be ignored by the OS.