WhatsApp app opens automatically in iOS but not in latest Android (11 and 12), using a web uri

Bug description:

The following URL does NOT open the WhatsApp app automatically in Android 11 and Android 12 (while it DOES in iOS and Android 10 and below): https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=9005370455720&text=Please send us your details

Instead, it shows the following message: “looks like you don’t have whatsapp installed” (while we do have the whatsapp app installed)

Interestingly, it opens the WhatsApp app in a version of our app that uses an older version of react-native-webview (and react-native): “react-native-webview”: “^10.10.2”

To Reproduce:

Just use this URI to see that the WhatsApp app opens automatically in iOS but not in latest Android (11 and 12): https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=9005370455720&text=Please send us your details

Expected behavior:

The WhatsApp app should open automatically in latest Android (11 and 12), like it does for all IOS versions and Android 10-.

Environment:

• OS: Android
• OS version: 11 & 12
• react-native version: “^0.66.1”,
• react-native-webview version: “^11.14.2”

[SaharTo]

[Solved] - In my case the WhatsApp link works fine outside of the application and on the web. but when I’m using it inside the application webView it’s not working and show me screen that says “WhatsApp is not install on this phone” although it is.

So I look for the WhatsApp api domain to give it permission on my app…

solution: Inside the AndroidManifestt.xml add this:

<queries>
    <intent>
      <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
      <data android:scheme="https" android:host="api.whatsapp.com"/>
    </intent>
  </queries>

It will allow the app to enter this domain… 🫡🤓

[amingsc]

meet the same issue, test with this uri: https://y.music.163.com/m/song?app_version=8.7.55&id=1364400123&uct=jvo9gcfEZ26Mjrz55/IF4g%3D%3D&dlt=0846

found the problem, insecure resource not allowed,fix: mixedContentMode={'always'}

actually the guide for debugging is useful, it will help you find many problems👈🏻IMPORTANT