Possibly another scummy behavior from fucking Meta.

So I try my best to avoid url tracking. I set the default browser on my android phone to this app: https://github.com/TrianguloY/UrlChecker

I also made sure to turn off the “Open supported links” settings from aps like Instagram.

So usually, if someone shares Instagram links to WhatsApp, usually with the url tracking, I can clean them up first using UrlChecker before opening it in Instagram app.

Recently I noticed if I tap on Instagram links, WhatsApp will immediately open it in Instagram, ignoring Android’s default browser setting to open the link with UrlChecker first.

I thought something was broken, but if I open non-instagram links, those will open UrlChecker app.

Can you please help check if the behavior is the same on your side? So I can be sure that I’m not crazy. Thanks!

  • Natanael@slrpnk.net
    1·
    1 year ago

    It depends on what you’re mimicking. Just registrering the URL scheme? Any app can do that. Mimicking a signed APK with full package name? Can’t do that without root and privacy plugins for Magisk.

    • whale@lemm.ee
      1·
      1 year ago

      I believe OP (@narwhal@lemm.ee) has already tried a URL interceptor, without any luck. If I misunderstood that, though, I would definitely recommend Open Link With, the open source app, as their default “browser”