Syntax
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// canOpenURL method verifies if there is any app which can handle indicated URL scheme.
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// Swift
UIApplication.sharedApplication().canOpenURL(_ aUrl: NSURL)
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// Objective-C
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:(NSURL *)aUrl];
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// openURL method tries to open a resource located by URL. YES/true if it was opened otherwise NO/false.
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// Swift
UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL(_ aUrl: NSURL)
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// Objective-C
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:(NSURL *)aUrl];
Parameters
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| aUrl | a NSURL instance which stores a built-in or custom scheme string |
Remarks
In iOS9 and above your app must list any URL schemes it will want to query. This is done by adding LSApplicationQueriesSchemes to Info.plist
iOS has built-in support for the tel, http/https ,sms, mailto, facetime schemes. It also supports http–based URLs for Youtube, Maps and iTunes apps.
Examples of built-in URL schemes:
tel: tel://123456890 or tel:123456890
http: http://www.google.com
facetime: facetime://[email protected]
mailto: mailto://[email protected]
sms: sms://123456890 or sms:123456890
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCaif2QKfA
Maps:
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Using address:
http://maps.apple.com/?address=1,Infinite+Loop,Cupertino,California -
Using coordinates:
http://maps.apple.com/?ll=46.683155557,6.683155557
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/randy-newman/id200900
Note: Not all special characters are supported in tel scheme (for example * or #). This is done because of security concerns to prevent users from unauthorized redirect of calls, so in this case Phone app won't be opened.
Using built-in URL scheme to open Mail app
Swift:
if let url = URL(string: "mailto://[email protected]") {
if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(url) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
} else {
print("Cannot open URL")
}
}
Objective-C:
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:@"mailto://[email protected]"];
if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:url]) {
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
} else {
NSLog(@"Cannot open URL");
}
Apple URL Schemes
These are URL schemes supported by native apps on iOS, OS X, and watchOS 2 and later.
Opening link in Safari:
Objective-C
NSString *stringURL = @"http://stackoverflow.com/";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
Swift:
let stringURL = "http://stackoverflow.com/"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
Starting a phone conversation
Objective-C
NSString *stringURL = @"tel:1-408-555-5555";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
Swift:
let stringURL = "tel:1-408-555-5555"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
HTML
<a href="tel:1-408-555-5555">1-408-555-5555</a>
Starting a FaceTime conversation
Objective-C
NSString *stringURL = @"facetime:14085551234";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
Swift:
let stringURL = "facetime:14085551234"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
HTML
<a href="facetime:14085551234">Connect using FaceTime</a>
<a href="facetime:[email protected]">Connect using FaceTime</a>
Opening Messages App to compose an sms to recipient:
Objective-C
NSString *stringURL = @"sms:1-408-555-1212";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
Swift:
let stringURL = "sms:1-408-555-1212"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
HTML
<a href="sms:">Launch Messages App</a>
<a href="sms:1-408-555-1212">New SMS Message</a>
Opening Mail app to compose an email to recipient:
Objective-C
NSString *stringURL = @"mailto:[email protected]";
NSURL *url = [NSURL URLWithString:stringURL];
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] openURL:url];
Swift:
let stringURL = "mailto:[email protected]"
if let url = URL(string: stringURL) {
UIApplication.shared.openURL(url)
}
HTML
<a href="mailto:[email protected]">John Frank</a>
You can also include a subject field, a message, and multiple recipients in the To, Cc, and Bcc fields. (In iOS, the from attribute is ignored.) The following example shows a mailto URL that includes several different attributes:
mailto:[email protected][email protected]&subject=Greetings%20from%20Cupertino!&body=Wish%20you%20were%20here!
Note: Compose email dialog can also be presented within app using MFMailComposeViewController.
