Q: URLs not working in Safari or Mail after iOS 9.2.1

Not sure how this chat thing works but I started having this problem with links not opening yesterday (26th Mar).

I Searched everywhere for an answer, tried everything suggested but nothing worked.

Tried contacting apple but even that didn't work.

Finally I found a chat on which apple acknowledged the problem yesterday 26th and said it was their number 1 issue and their engineers were working to resolve it as soon as possible but they couldn't give a timescale.

meantime I am using google chrome for searches and opening links in a new tab when given the option. Nothing seems to open links in mail but I used an old computer to get round that problem.

Seems this problem has been around unresolved for some time!!!

I have the same issue with iPad2 / IOS 9.3 (13E233). And now all that after I needed to reset to factory settings because of the authentication error of 9.3. It is so annoying.

I am one more person with this annoying problem.

It first started with my iPad Air 2 4G 128 GB. The only way to fix it was to completely factory reset and restore without downloading any full backup.

Now my IPhone 6 128 GB started with the same annoying problem.

I Have contacted @AppleSupport over Twitter with the link to this thread asking them for support but still no Reply.

I Suspect it might be something related to the amount of applications installed? Can somebody share how many apps you have installed on devices with this problem?

I Have around 500 apps on my devices...but this shouldn't affect other apps functionality, restriction? Who knows... I just want Apple to fix this ASAP.

Thano you Surferride,

I have 50 applications in total, the problem rises with Whatsapp application as well as its not opening any links.

Confirmed in my case!! iPhone 6s Plus 64Gb

1.- Refresh install - Factory settings - 9.3

2.- Links working. Many apps installed.

3.- 3 days perfect and links working

4.- Backup

5.- Links working - After installing Booking - THE PROBLEM APPEARS. Links does not work.

Carlos

OK so it doesn't seem to be related to the amount of applications.

its a real mystery... I just don't get why Apple did not fix it yet as it makes Safari and other apps completely unusable.

And the problem seems to be at an OS level as it affects whatsapp, chrome and other apps behaviour too.

I'm having IOS 9.2.1 on Iphone 6s plus and suddenly I encounter the links unclickable on Safari today.  I didn't upgrade to IOS 9.3 and yet I'm encountering this problem all of a sudden. I'm really puzzled.  I tried rebooting the phone several times and some of the recommended settings in this forum but they don't work.

I'll add my maxiPad to the list of broken hardware. Did the 9.3 update yesterday and links in the search pages (Google and Bing) are now broken. Can't even bring up the contextual menu to try and open in another tab. QC has just gone from Apple products. Very sad to hear that this has been a problem all through the alpha/beta yet it still made it in to the release version.

Someone would be rolling in their grave...

HI Carlos

If you mean the Booking.com app I think it's a coincidence. We have had the problem for 8 weeks on two iPad Air 2s, one of which has the Booking.com app. We also have an iPhone 6 which is fine and which also has the Booking.com app. All are running 9.2.1. I think I was the second contributor to this discussion and I've tried to keep the entire string. The one thing I can say from reading each new post as it appears is that the bug is haphazard as to what device it hits and when. The only thing that I think is right is that bug first appeared after 9.2.1 was released.

My problem is with the iPad Air 2 which is still running 9.2.  My iPhone 5s is unaffected, also running 9.2.  I've had the problem since March 25.  Through Twitter I scheduled a call with an Advisor today. The callback was a waste of time.  The advisor was not aware of the problem.  She was only aware that Apple is looking into a 9.3 upgrade problem, but not aware of ANY specifics, ie what problems will be resolved in the next upgrade (2-3 days away), nor what they're working on currently..  She suggested speaking to someone "who would know more", pretended to put me through and ended the call. So, other than not equipping their front line workers with any information, I'm also wondering if Apple is even aware of what's going on.  Quite pathetic.

This has just happened to my 5s using version 9.2.1....I did not upgrade to 9.3 or even attempt to, so there is something else going on here, if it is happening randomly to phones i pads etc. upgraded or not it was working one minute next it went like it had a mini stroke. What ever caused it was nothing to do with any app or other setting change as I was just surfing and boom! gone........Hope the impenetrable apple software has not been infiltrated with some new type of virus.

I'm currently using 9.2 and it affected for 2 days. All the people around me that using 9.3 have no issue?! I don't get it all. I think it started with my car bluetooth connection. I'm using my iPhone bluetooth connected in my car for a year but 2 days ago the iPhone didn't recognized my car and I paired them again. After that, this happened. (it is just a supposition) I tried everything (clearing history and datas of safari, clearing iCloud data of safari, turning javascript off, resetting, restarting for many times, deleting recently updated apps etc.) but nothing changed! I can't tap on a link on whatsapp, notes app, mail client. Safari doesn't allow me to tap any link as well. I left a feedback to Apple from the website and I talked with Apple support on twitter but there is still no solution! This phone is useless without web browsing! The only thing that I didn't understand, there are many people around me using iPhone and everyone has different versions. (9.1 - 9.2 - 9.2.1 - 9.3) but I am the only one that have this ridiculous issue. I am really shocked that Apple still hasn't release an update and solve this problem?! Steve Jobs is rolling over in his grave..

Since disabling JavaScript is stopping a lot of websites to function I've done something else:

go to http://google.com/webhp?nord=1

save this page to your homescreen for simple access

You're now using google via http (instead of https) and links are working.

Just returning to results doesn't function. You have to go back to blank search page, but at least you can search and go to a search result again.

No, this problem only started for me when I updated to iOS 9.3 on my iPad 2.

I have managed to get Safari links to work using the suggestion provided by Philipkohn copied here:

Settings > General > Restrictions > Enable Restrictions (put in a pass code)

Disable Restrictions (same pass code)

Hold down On/Off and shutdown

wait 10 sec

Hold On/Off to restart

Settings > Safari > Search Engine > Google

But still not able to get links from Mail or Chrome to work.

thanks van the man...  that does work but only sorts the safari browsing problem and not he other related issues namely links in google news and email links. but a good start. It does look the highway road to normality has been removed by the apple software genius's and now through resourcefulness we are having to track through the field and  dirt tracks to get to our destination with help from people like you.