How external URLs are handled in Mendix native mobile apps

Issue

When using a Mendix native/mobile application, there are questions about how external URLs and links are handled. Specifically:

• Is it possible to configure a Mendix application to always open external links using the device's default browser?
• Can the app enforce that URLs open only within a specific browser or a browser defined/configured within the app?
• Are there any platform-level limitations (Android/iOS) or Mendix-supported approaches that influence this behavior?

Environment

• Phone Web
• Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
• Native Mobile 

Cause

Mendix native mobile apps support opening external URLs via the Open URL nanoflow activity. However, the ability to control which specific browser handles the URL is determined by the operating system (Android or iOS), not by Mendix itself. Both Android and iOS use OS-level mechanisms (such as Android App Links and iOS Universal Links) to decide how URLs are handled, which means Mendix does not provide a way to enforce a specific browser choice beyond what the platform allows.

Solution/Workaround

The following clarifies how external URL handling works in Mendix native mobile apps and what can be configured:

1. Opening external links via the device's default browser: When using the Open URL activity with the Web link type in Mendix, the URL is handed off to the device's default app handler. This means the OS will use the user's default browser to open the link externally. This is the standard supported behavior.

2. Enforcing a specific browser: Mendix does not support enforcing a specific third-party browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) for opening URLs. The selection of which browser opens the link is controlled entirely by the OS, based on the user's device settings. This cannot be overridden from within a Mendix app.

3. Platform-level considerations:

   • Android: Uses Android App Links and the OS-configured default browser. The user or device administrator controls which browser is the default.

   • iOS: Uses Universal Links and iOS URL scheme handling. Safari is typically the default, but users can set alternative browsers as their default in device settings (iOS 14+).

In summary, Mendix supports triggering external URL opening via the OS, but the specific browser used is not configurable within the Mendix app itself — this is governed by the platform and the user's device settings.

Additional information

• Mendix documentation:
  • On Click Event – Open Link (Link Types)
  • Nanoflow Commons
• Allowing apps and websites to link to your content | Apple Developer Documentation
• Web browser  |  Android Developers