Why can't I launch another app using a URL scheme in a web clip set up through Configurator with the "full screen app" option selected?

Question

Why can't I launch another app using a URL scheme in a web clip set up through Configurator with the "full screen app" option selected?

My company uses web clips on iOS devices, set up through profiles on Configurator, for EVERYTHING. Most of these web clips have a transfer function on the site that allows the user to bring up other apps, like directions to a destination in Google Maps for instance (a URL scheme.) If the option for the web clip to appear as a "full screen app" is selected in Configurator (or iPhone Configuration Utility), this fuction does not work on devices that are running iOS 7. It is imparative to our company that the web clips be full page so there is no address bar, back button, etc. for the users to access. With this feature not working, I have 50+ iOS devices that are usless to us.

iOS 6 Device --> Configurator 1.3 --> Full Screen Web Clip --> WORKS

iOS 6 Device --> Configurator 1.4 --> Full Screen Web Clip --> WORKS

iOS 6 Device --> iPhone Configuration Utility --> Full Screen Web Clip --> WORKS

iOS 7 Device --> Configurator 1.3 --> Full Screen Web Clip --> DOESN'T WORK

iOS 7 Device --> Configurator 1.4 --> Full Screen Web Clip --> DOESN'T WORK

iOS 7 Device --> iPhone Configuration Utility --> Full Screen Web Clip --> DOESN'T WORK

iOS 7 Device --> Configurator 1.3 --> NOT Full Screen Web Clip --> WORKS

iOS 7 Device --> Configurator 1.4 --> NOT Full Screen Web Clip--> WORKS

iOS 7 Device --> iPhone Configuration Utility --> NOT Full Screen Web Clip --> WORKS

Somebody, please help!

iOS 7

Posted on Sep 28, 2013 7:31 PM

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Answer 1

nsdjoey

Level 3

961 points

Sep 30, 2013 8:39 AM in response to Jonathonallgood

Hi Jonathonallgood,

We experienced this same issue in our school district. I asked around and our MDM provider told us that that due to Apple's security changes, the ability to use URL handlers in full screen web clips is no longer available in iOS7. 😟 We've expressed our dissatisfaction on this setting to Apple... hope they find a way to make URLs and full screen web clips work again.

I know its not the answer you wanted to hear, but I hope this answers your question as to why this is happening... basically its a new "feature" of Apple's iOS 7. We're not happy about it either...

~Joe

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Answer 2

broderp

Level 1

0 points

Oct 4, 2013 7:12 AM in response to nsdjoey

Hi Joe,

This is really bad news for my company too, I've seen a couple of conflicting responses where someone said apple support were just learning about this, but your reply is very definitive that it's a 'feature'. I was wondering if you had learned any more from your MDM, is this definitely 100% Apple's new stance on this?

many thanks,

Phil

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Answer 3

Oct 4, 2013 5:35 PM in response to broderp

Phil, I have been trying to figure out a solution to this problem since iOS 7 came out. In hindsight, I should have downloaded the beta versions of the iOS so I would have had even more time. I have talked with quite a few different developers and up until today it was a consensus that this was a "feature" of iOS in an attempt by Apple to diminish the use of webapps. Now most of these people wouldn't be considered apple apologists by any stretch, which could have contributed to their pessimism. That being said, today I finally received some news that could give us a glimmer of hope. I spent almost 2 hours on the phone today being sent "up the ladder" until I think I found the right person to help (I'm not complaining; I was surprised at how competent and helpful each person that I spoke with was, and I didn't have to explain the situation over and over again.) I think what took so long finding the right person to speak with was that this isn't an issue that any type of troubleshooting would fix. It's not an iPad, iPhone, or even an Apple Configurator issue; it's actually a bug in iOS 7. Anyways, the senior engineer that I spoke with reassured me, very adamantly, that this was not a feature of the new operating system and most definitely a bug. He said that they take webapps very seriously and are actually looking for ways to improve how webapps work on iOS devices and how they are used with Mobile Device Management software, like Configurator. I was a little concerned that he said this was the first he or anyone on his team has heard about this problem, but he did work extensively with me today and said that it looks to be a major issue, and something that he and his team are going to try to figure out as soon as possible. He said he would be calling me by Tuesday with information on how and when this will be fixed. Jon

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Answer 4

broderp

Level 1

0 points

Oct 5, 2013 4:46 AM in response to Jonathonallgood

Hi Jon,

That does sound promising, thanks for the update and I look forward to hearing what they say on Tuesday. In the meantime I'll get back to researching hacks and workarounds - to no avail so far.

Cheers,

Phil

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Answer 5

broderp

Level 1

0 points

Oct 9, 2013 3:22 AM in response to Jonathonallgood

Hi Jon,

Did you by any chance get a responce either way from Apple?

many thanks,

Phil

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Answer 6

Oct 15, 2013 11:34 AM in response to Jonathonallgood

Any news on the potential iOS 7 bug?

My enterprise install link for my in house app (like itms-services://?action=download-manifest&url=myURL) does not kick off the installer in iOS 7 but works perfect in iOS 6.

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Answer 7

Oct 22, 2013 6:54 PM in response to Jonathonallgood

IT WORKS! I just received 3 emails from the various departments that I was able to get in contact with from Apple, (AppleCare, Apple Business, and Developer support) asking me to install the new update on my iOS device. I did so, installed a new configuration profile with a webclip containing and external URI and the link worked. Let me know if it works for you guys as well! Good luck!

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