Google links don't work after iOS 9.3

But iOS ultimately downloads the association file.. So why not have iOS Download and Test new association files on a separate server loop for testing before being pushed through to a stable platform; as a security measure.?. This way they can safely identify bad code and blacklist it before pushing it through? You'd think an Empire like Apple could do something like that in their sleep. 🙂

I'm not sure what you mean.

Apple has zero control over the association file.

iOS does validate association files after download. It makes sure their signature is correct and that they are valid JSON. The issue is that when swcd goes to store the processed file, it chokes if the database ends up being too big. That's the error that needs fixed in swcd.

After update to iOS 9.3 on my iPhone links on both Google and within emails do not work. Have tried using DuckDuckGo as search engine on Safari with no change. Also only updated Booking.com this morning.

You said what I mean clearly in your 2nd sentence: Apple has zero control over the association file. That's where I believe Apple has made the biggest mistake; that is what needs changing. Yes, it'd slow things down but provide much more safety to the end user. Giving complete trust to every app developer to speed things up while compromising safety is undesired.

I Don't see how giving developers control is bad here. It's an extremely simple text file. The contents can't execute code or otherwise damage the system. (swcd crashing isn't due to the content, but the size of the processed output).

Even if Apple had control over association file approval, swcd would still crash from this bug if too many total entries exist (too many apps).

HI Apple

what a disaster this ISO 9.3 really is for Ipad2 all the problems others have mentioned I am also suffering with.

my wife has a newish IPad which has no problems, the only problem is that when my iPad don't work I ask to borrow hers and it causes a domestic dispute.

Pad Air II with iOS 9.3
since 28/03/16

first I cleaned everything, but no help

Bing search without reaction or freezing
google search without reaction or freezing
from apps to internet: whenever a login is needed: no reaction or freezing

Apple Phone Support: very nice but without results:
Recommendation 1: Disable Java: without results
Recommendation 2: Chrome use: without results
Recommendation 3: Firefox use: without results

Information by the Telephone Support: a bugfix comes earliest coming weekend

Dear Apple,

this isn't just an issue when you have updated to 9.3, even the phone having prompted you do so appears to start the issue! Turning off JavaScript does get safari working again as an App though the view is degraded but it does not fix links from emails etc. This update should have been backed out as soon as you knew you had issues like this, it's really unacceptable - you have in effect rendered your Smart phone a DUMB phone and it's taking you too long to fix it. Surely rolling back out the previous OS would at least have given your customers a working phone again?! come on Apple this appears to be a schoolboy error of a release!!!

How many days passed since the issue had been post? There is no official reply for this issue, only someone with high school boys' solution. I am so disappointed to the Apple. The quality is not as good as years ago. Maybe the Apple earn too much, we should choose another vendors to let the Apple know that it was not the only phone and mobile device vendor.

To downgrade or not to downgrade?

Really would be nice if Apple announced to all users that this problem existed and that it was working on it, so we don't each have to separately wonder whether something was wrong with out individual device and waste so much time researching a fIx.

Can anyone confirm that the 9.3.1 update that Apple have just issued does actually work, makes the links operative again, and doesn't break anything else? Sorry to be so doom and gloom, but I just hate updating anything nowadays! There always seems to be yet another problem.

Just downloaded and tried iOS 9.3.1 and it seems to work, links in emails can be clicked and followed and also in Safari. Though I'd mostly got Safari working following the advice of a few people on here. So, total downtime for me, 4 days, though iPad was mostly usable anyway, and iPhone 4s unaffected. That had Booking.com app on but was deleted when I first read about this. Thanks to those on here who posted helpful info and advice, Rosyna, JohnUKDevon, bencollier to name a few. Plenty of misinformation and simple whining from some too, especially blaming iOS 9.3, because when my problems started I was on 9.2.1. To put it into perspective though, this is the first real issue I've had with Apple products, and that's from iPad 1.

I usually wait at least 2 weeks before downloading and installing any update nowadays. But sadly I - like many others - need this one now. Looks like I will have to risk it tomorrow 🙂 By the way, my iPhone 6s is still on 9.2.1 too, but has the problem.

Worked for me, and is still working, fingers crossed! If you have the problem and haven't tried any of the workarounds some folks on here have suggested (which don't completely solve the problem) I'd say go for it. The only precaution I took was to close all apps. (Double click home button & swipe up apps to close)

I have an Ipad2 and I am having the same problem. Unfortunately neither deleting the booking.com app, nor disabling Java did the trick for me.

Also, disabling java makes almost every web site non functional.

I will think twice before updating to a new OS when it is first released.

Lets hope for a fix from Apple sooner than later.