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Does "Locked and hidden apps" feature of iOS 18 support deep link?

Our app includes showing external web service with WebView or Safari and returning to the app with custom URL scheme or universal link. When we set "Hide and Require Face ID" feature which was available on iOS 18, neither custom URL scheme nor universal link activated the app. If we only set "Require Face ID", the deep link worked properly.

Here is what we've tried:

  1. Define custom URL scheme or universal link in the app

  2. Implement external web service with one of the following frameworks

  3. On iOS 18 device, install the app and set "Hide and Require Face ID"

  4. Access external web page and tap the link which activates custom URL scheme or universal link

We expected the deep link to work, but the results were:

  • Custom URL scheme & ASWebAuthenticationSession/SFSafariViewController/Safari

The system shows "Cannot open the page because the address is invalid"

  • Custom URL scheme & WKWebView

Nothing happens when tapping the link

  • Universal link

Directed to the server with associated domain file, but the system doesn't call the app which is defined in the associated domain file

We tested the feature with the app built with Xcode16 beta 6, and the device with iOS 18 Seed 8(22A5350a). Does hide app feature support custom URL scheme and universal link?

Answered by DTS Engineer in 844416022

Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. At the time this thread started I wasn’t supporting universal links.

Does hide app feature support custom URL scheme and universal link?

Another developer filed a bug about this (FB14973639) and the conclusion there is that this is behaving correctly. When an app is hidden, the system behaves as if the app isn’t installed. This affects a variety of features, including URL schemes and universal links.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

I assumed it was a bug that would be resolved in beta, with the release of the latest beta I'm worried. There is no documentation or announcement of breaking changes.

Our app includes showing external web service with WebView or Safari and returning to the app with custom URL scheme or universal link.

How can you Apple Dev Team, help us about this issue?

Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. At the time this thread started I wasn’t supporting universal links.

Does hide app feature support custom URL scheme and universal link?

Another developer filed a bug about this (FB14973639) and the conclusion there is that this is behaving correctly. When an app is hidden, the system behaves as if the app isn’t installed. This affects a variety of features, including URL schemes and universal links.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

Does "Locked and hidden apps" feature of iOS 18 support deep link?
 
 
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