Ralf J

Q: IPhone 6s/ weblinks don't work

Hello,

My iPhone (iphone 6s 128 gb) updated to IOS 9.3 over night. Now links don't work.

E.G in Safari, if I google something and click on the link, the entire Safari browser locks up.

Also, when I click on links in my email, I have the same issue.

I have tried resetting the cache - that did not change anything. The 6s just freezes.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3, 128 GB

Posted on Mar 28, 2016 6:35 AM

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Q: IPhone 6s/ weblinks don't work

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  • Helpful answers

  • by capdaddy,Helpful

    capdaddy capdaddy Mar 28, 2016 6:52 AM in response to Ralf J
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 28, 2016 6:52 AM in response to Ralf J

    This is a well known problem related to the recent iOS 9.3 release, Apple are working on a solution. You can solve the problem for Safari by disabling Javascript, to do this go to: settings > safari > advanced > then toggle 'Javascript' off.

     

    That should fix links in safari. If this fails then you can also switch your search engine to 'Bing" (I know it feels like a stupid thing to do) and also clear website data.

     

    As far as I know (and I recently spent 30 mins online with apple trying to find a work around) there is no fix yet to the problem with links in messages, safari, notes etc. So we'll just have to wait for an update.

     

    Your other option is to do an iTunes restore, however i have my doubts about this as the operating system would stay at 9.3 (respective of the iOS of the backup) so i think the fault would stay or simply re-emerge.

     

    Good luck!

  • by Ralf J,

    Ralf J Ralf J Mar 28, 2016 6:56 AM in response to capdaddy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 28, 2016 6:56 AM in response to capdaddy

    Thanks,

    turning Javascript off helps with the Safari problem!

    E-mail links still freeze up the email app - I can't even move my screen, the clock is frozen, etc. Wow.

    Thanks again!

  • by capdaddy,

    capdaddy capdaddy Mar 28, 2016 7:04 AM in response to Ralf J
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 28, 2016 7:04 AM in response to Ralf J

    I know it's so frustrating - i've trawled through the community posts and spoken to Apple about it but it looks like there is no easy fix so far. Out of interest did you have the Booking.com app installed?

  • by Ralf J,

    Ralf J Ralf J Mar 28, 2016 8:01 AM in response to capdaddy
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 28, 2016 8:01 AM in response to capdaddy

    I just checked - and YES, I seem to have the Booking.com app installed.

    I don't really know when, why or how it was installed... is this bloatware?

    Since I don't use it or need it, should I uninstall it?

    Thanks!

  • by Ralf J,

    Ralf J Ralf J Mar 28, 2016 8:19 AM in response to Ralf J
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 28, 2016 8:19 AM in response to Ralf J

    Based on capdaddy's response, I was able to find this article that describes what the issue is:

     

    Unable to open links in Safari, Mail or Messages on iOS 9.3

    https://bencollier.net/2016/03/unable-to-open-links-in-safari-mail-or-messages-o n-ios-9-3/

     

    here is an excerpt from the article above

    "

    ...

    What's Going On

    In iOS 9 Apple introduced Universal Links, these allow app developers to associate their website and app, so links to the website can open the app up automatically if installed. For example, following a link to a Guardian article opens up the Guardian app to that specific article instead of their website.

    App developers put an app association file on their website which lists which types of URLs the app can open. When you install an app, iOS downloads this associated file and updates your own database of what URLs your installed apps can open. The website and app listing in iTunes are linked by the developer - so it prevents anyone from hijacking your website with their app.

    When you tap a link in iOS, the system looks through the database of installed apps supported URLs to see if it matches a pattern an installed app can handle. If nothing matches it opens it up as a standard app.

    Why's It Broken

    It looks like there's a bug in iOS that completely breaks the Universal Links if it gets served an app association file that's too large.

    It seems that the large size of their file, due to it having every URL from their website inside it breaks the iOS database on the device. Apple allows you to have pattern based matching, so instead of having to include every hotel's URL in the association file, Booking.com could just put /hotel/* to match all the hotels on their site.

    Whilst Booking.com aren't following the recommended approach, it's not their fault that a third-party can break a fundamental system feature like web browsing. Apple should be handling these edges graciously.

    The worst part - deleting the app doesn't clear the Universal Link association. Because the OS process that handles the Universal Links has crashed, it appears unable to remove the corrupt database.

    ..."

  • by joe_7399,

    joe_7399 joe_7399 Mar 31, 2016 11:46 AM in response to Ralf J
    Community Specialists
    Mar 31, 2016 11:46 AM in response to Ralf J

    Hello Ralf J,

     

    Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities!

     

    From your question, I understand that hyperlinks are not behaving as expected after updating to iOS 9.3. We know how frustrating situations like this can be and we want to make sure your devices are working as expected.

     

    iOS 9.3.1 was recently released. Performing this update should resolve this situation.

     

    If hyperlinks don't open in Safari, Mail, or Messages after updating to iOS 9.3 - Apple Support

     

    Cheers!

  • by EmilianoDTH,

    EmilianoDTH EmilianoDTH Mar 31, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Ralf J
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Mar 31, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Ralf J

    Go and check for updates, you should have 9.3.1 ready for download. Install it and your problem will be solved