How can I set a rule such that when my user clicks any web link within my app, it opens in the in-app browser instead of Safari?
Context: I'm building an app that has several places where links are either embedded by me or are loaded through various user interactions, e.g. a link leading to a page that houses another link. I want to ensure that the user seldom leaves my app and hence want to open all external web links in an in-app browser that has already been developed
Target Build: iOS 11. Environment/ Language: Swift 4
Links can only open in-app if the user is signed in. The user should be registered and signed in before expecting links to content to open directly in the mobile app.
Search for the page. In search results, tap the title of the page. At the top, tap the address bar to select the entire URL.
Simple solution using SFSafariViewController which available in a separate package
import SafariServices
Swift 4, iOS 9.0+
let url = URL(string: "your URL here")
let vc = SFSafariViewController(url: url)
present(vc, animated: true)
If you need more control - use Configuration parameter (Swift 4, iOS 11.0+):
Example:
let config = SFSafariViewController.Configuration()
config.entersReaderIfAvailable = true
let url = URL(string: "your URL here")
let vc = SFSafariViewController(url: url, configuration: config)
present(vc, animated: true)
...it opens in the in-app browser instead of Safari?
In that case, you would need your own WebView. Here's a quick snippet of a simple webView inside a controller:
import UIKit
import WebKit
/// The controller for handling webviews.
class WebViewController: UIViewController {
// MARK: - Properties
internal lazy var button_Close: UIButton = {
let button = UIButton(type: .custom)
button.setImage(.close, for: .normal)
button.imageEdgeInsets = UIEdgeInsets.init(top: 0, left: -30, bottom: 0, right: 0)
button.addTarget(self, action: #selector(back(_:)), for: .touchUpInside)
return button
}()
public var urlString: String! {
didSet {
if let url = URL(string: urlString) {
let urlRequest = URLRequest(url:url)
self.webView.load(urlRequest)
}
}
}
private lazy var webView: WKWebView = {
let webView = WKWebView()
webView.navigationDelegate = self
return webView
}()
// MARK: - Functions
// MARK: Overrides
override func viewDidLoad() {
super.viewDidLoad()
let barButton = UIBarButtonItem(customView: self.button_Close)
self.button_Close.frame = CGRect(x: 0, y: 0, width: 55.0, height: 44.0)
let negativeSpacer = UIBarButtonItem(barButtonSystemItem: UIBarButtonItem.SystemItem.fixedSpace, target: nil, action: nil)
if #available(iOS 11.0, *) {
negativeSpacer.width = -30
}
self.navigationItem.leftBarButtonItems = [negativeSpacer, barButton]
self.view.addSubview(self.webView)
self.webView.snp.makeConstraints {
$0.edges.equalToSuperview()
}
}
@objc func back(_ sender: Any) {
self.dismiss()
}
}
extension WebViewController: WKNavigationDelegate {
func webView(_ webView: WKWebView, didStartProvisionalNavigation navigation: WKNavigation!) {
// Show here a HUD or any loader
}
func webView(_ webView: WKWebView, didFinish navigation: WKNavigation!) {
// Dismiss your HUD
}
}
and presenting such webViewController, like so (passing a URLString):
let webViewVC = WebViewController()
webViewVC.urlString = "https://www.glennvon.com/"
let navCon = UINavigationController(rootViewController: webViewVC)
self.navigationController?.present(navCon, animated: true, completion: nil)
If you're using storyboard, then simply drag a webview in your controller and setup the delegate. This should help you out :)
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With