Link Handling Overview
Learn about controlling how links open in your Median.co app
Effective link handling keeps navigation predictable. Users stay in your WebView when it makes sense, use the in-app browser or an external app when needed, and open your app from email, SMS, and the web once domains and association files are set up.
Mental model: two-link problems
| Problem | What it controls | Typical tools |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the WebView | Same-origin navigation, outbound links, in-app browser, and the long-press menu on links | Link handling rules, median.window.open, median.contextMenu |
| Inbound app links | Links in SMS, email, and other apps opening your Median app instead of Safari/Chrome for your domains | Universal Links (iOS), App Links (Android), apple-app-site-association, assetlinks.json, optional custom URL schemes |
Your website still controls ordinary <a href> markup and client-side routing. Median settings govern how the native shell routes those navigations and how the OS associates web URLs with your app.
Key configuration features
- Link behavior: Define how links are handled: internal WebView, in-app browser, or external browser.
- Deep linking and universal links: Map
http/httpsURLs on domains you control to open directly in your app. - Custom URL schemes: Optional mobile-only link formats, such as
yourscheme://, commonly used for authentication redirects and advanced app-opening flows. - Context menu: Choose actions available when users long-press a link (for example, copy or open externally).
Choose what to configure
Use these guides to configure the behavior you need:
Deep linking
Set up Universal Links and App Links, validate association files, test behavior, and use custom URL schemes for advanced flows.
Link behavior
Control whether links open in the WebView, in-app browser, or externally; configure rule order and regex; apply runtime rules; and customize long-press context menu actions.
Updated 4 months ago