Third party WhatsApp dead link
- Thread starter Mr Lucky
- Start date
Robru
Well-known member
Martok
Well-known member
Actually you don't need to install anything to get this to work on your PC or Mac, you can use the web version (as I do, I don't have a Whatsapp client installed).You must first download en install WhatsApp for your PC or Mac
I've just tested this and, whilst it does work in Chrome, it doesn't work in Firefox or Safari (which is strange, I'm positive I tested this at the time I first mentioned the current solution to Chris).
@Chris D the original solution that I mentioned and you went for is from here: https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/26000030/?category=5245251 and the example at the bottom that I guess you based it on is
Code:
https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=I'm%20inquiring%20about%20the%20apartment%20listingHaving a look around the web for the issue with Firefox and Safari, I came across this:
https://webapps.stackexchange.com/q...th-phone-number-doesnt-open-whatsapps-web-app
I've done a test on Chrome, Safari and Firefox on a Mac using the Whatsapp URL from this thread and replacing the api part with web, as suggested. In all cases it seems to work with the added advantage that there's no intermediate window as before, it goes straight to Whatsapp web. I've not tested this on a PC.
Robru
Well-known member
If so, more explanation will be required.
If I remove the Whatsapp client from my Mac, I get the same error message as Mr. Lucky.
Martok
Well-known member
As I said, if you use Chrome (including on a Mac - it works for me) then it works without any Whatsapp application installed.
With the change I suggested via stackoverflow (changing the URL from api to web) then it should work on all browsers.
Robru
Well-known member
Why would Xenforo implement something new that does not work with the best-known browsers. This should be a browser independent...
Is there a work around for that?
With it in its current form, using the current whatsapp:// URL, there's not really a lot we can do to change how a browser decides to handle that.
The behaviour really is no different to the email link which also will similarly not work if the computer or browser being use does not have access to a mail account. In some cases this link will do nothing, in other cases it will launch a default mail client which might not even be what you use if you use, say, Webmail, and in other cases it will give you an error. It's all down to how the browser decides to handle the link.
That all said, we will try and implement the suggestion that @Martok has made as long as it doesn't pose other undesirable issues for other users as the original version did before it was changed back to the whatsapp:// link.
Martok
Well-known member
I've just done some further testing with the stackoverflow change. Whilst it does work with the 3 major browsers (as far as I can see) on a desktop machine (I'm testing on a Mac), it doesn't work when using a mobile browser (well at least not Chrome on Android) which it seems to just direct you to the main Whatsapp website. Another downside for desktop users is that the stackoverflow change would mean it would always use the web version, even if you have the desktop client installed, which is probably undesirable.
I'm sure I tested the current solution on all browsers prior to it being implemented, so I'm not sure why it doesn't work with Safari or Firefox but does work with Chrome. It may be that the current solution is the best for those on mobile devices, on desktops with Whatsapp app installed and desktops with Chrome and no desktop app installed, but it won't work for desktop users with no app installed and who use Firefox or Safari.
I rolled a change out here briefly just so I could test it properly and all devices properly. Changing the api link to web is not going to work. It literally forces everything to WhatsApp web, even if you have a WhatsApp client installed. That's nowhere near what I'd expect the behaviour to be, if I'm a WhatsApp user. If I'm not a WhatsApp user, why would I be clicking it in the first place?
I have noted, however, that this is all down to an apparent change of behaviour in how WhatsApp handles the link. It seems as though they launch a window which then automatically tries to launch a WhatsApp app link, whether you have an app installed or not.
Ironically, this works better in Chrome on macOS than it does in Safari on macOS. Chrome at least prompts you to open the app store. Safari just gives up.
All thing's considered, there's no obvious reason to need to change this right now. If you don't have WhatsApp (or don't know what it is) you're unlikely to click it anyway. Any behaviour that doesn't appear to be "correct" is just a quirk of the browser that doesn't know how to handle it, or WhatsApp's own assumption that everyone has the client installed.
Ultimately, if this is a problem for your community, switch if off under Admin > Setup > Options > Sharing options.
I have noted, however, that this is all down to an apparent change of behaviour in how WhatsApp handles the link. It seems as though they launch a window which then automatically tries to launch a WhatsApp app link, whether you have an app installed or not.
Ironically, this works better in Chrome on macOS than it does in Safari on macOS. Chrome at least prompts you to open the app store. Safari just gives up.
All thing's considered, there's no obvious reason to need to change this right now. If you don't have WhatsApp (or don't know what it is) you're unlikely to click it anyway. Any behaviour that doesn't appear to be "correct" is just a quirk of the browser that doesn't know how to handle it, or WhatsApp's own assumption that everyone has the client installed.
Ultimately, if this is a problem for your community, switch if off under Admin > Setup > Options > Sharing options.
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