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!
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On Android these are called Intents and yeah it sounds like Metaface is specifically using the Instagram intent when opening an Instagram URL rather than the default browser intent.
I wasn’t aware of this. Is there any way to turn it off? Thanks
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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.
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Not a guess. It is exactly how it should be done, and my suggestion as well in another comment, before I read yours.