Unable to launch external non-Microsoft apps from PowerApps

[cjnunn]

Hi all,

I have created a canvas app that acts as an employee portal to notify users of pending tasks that each user has in the rest of the company's applications. I have a gallery with the app icon and a notification badge, and when the user clicks on the icon, the application opens in a browser window.

I now have a requirement to open these applications in the mobile application if the user is on a mobile device. In order to get the device type, I created a new landing page for the user to select whether they are on mobile or PC, and set a variable to that value. I then use this value in an If() statement in the Gallery.OnSelect to choose the link to use in the Launch() function.

All of this is working as expected. The issue that I am having is that the only apps that will launch on my IOS devices (I haven't tested any Android devices yet) are Microsoft apps (Outlook, Flow, Company Portal, etc.) or native apps like SMS and Phone. I haven't been able to open apps like Kronos Mobile, iScout, or Ultipro. I even tried apps that I know should work, like Twitter and Uber, and those would not launch either.

If i type the URL scheme into Safari, the app will open, but from the canvas app, nothing happens when I tap on the icon. Also, if I am on PC, select "Mobile" as my device type, and click on the icons, it tells me that I need to install the app, so I do not think that this is an issue with the URL scheme.

Does anyone have any ideas about what could be preventing these apps from launching from PowerApps?

Thanks,

Chris

[RezaDorrani]

Hi @cjnunn 

By default, the launch () function would open the default Browser under your Mobile device for those links.

Make sure you have a Browser available under your Mobile device.

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-PowerApps-Formerly/launch-function-fails-in-mobile-app-...

Regards,

Reza Dorrani

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly

[cjnunn]

Hi @RezaDorrani ,

It does open http:// and https:// links in the browser as expected, but when using the mobile app URL scheme, it should open the mobile application instead.

https://www.sharepointsiren.com/2019/07/launching-mobile-app-from-powerapps/

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Videos/Opening-Mobile-Applications-From-PowerApps/td-p/332441

For example, ms-outlook:// opens the Outlook mobile application, but this is only working for Microsoft Applications for me.

Could this have anything to do with Intune? 

Thanks, 

Chris

[v-xida-msft]

Hi @cjnunn ,

Could you please share a bit more about your scenario?

Do you want to launch the third-party app from your Mobile device via executing Launch(...) formula in your PowerApps app?

If you want to launch the third-party app from your Mobile device via executing Launch(...) formula in your PowerApps app, I afraid that there is no way to achieve your needs in PowerApps currently.

Currently, the Launch function coud only be used to run webpage or an app. You could also use this function launch Microsoft Apps or Native apps in your Mobile device. It could not launch a third party app in your Mobile device.

Please check the following thread for more details:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Building-PowerApps-Formerly/Useful-Features-of-PowerApps-10-Comm...

Please also check the following blog for more details:

https://suvidhablogpost.wordpress.com/2018/07/26/launch-function-in-powerapps/

If you would like this feature to be added in PowerApps, please consider submit an idea to PowerApps Ideas Forum:

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/PowerApps-Ideas/idb-p/PowerAppsIdeas

Best regards,

[cjnunn]

Hi @v-xida-msft,

Yes. I am trying to launch third-party applications via the Launch function.

Please see the following as an example of what I am trying to accomplish:

https://www.sharepointsiren.com/2019/07/launching-mobile-app-from-powerapps/

https://powerusers.microsoft.com/t5/Videos/Opening-Mobile-Applications-From-PowerApps/td-p/332441

The Launch function does have this capability (at least it used to), but it is not working for me for some reason.

Thanks,

Chris

[cjnunn]

Our company recently started using Intune.

Could our Intune setup be preventing the apps from launching via Launch()?

If so, could anyone provide me with the necessary steps to take to allow what I am trying to accomplish?

Thanks, 

Chris

[Anonymous]

@cjnunndid you ever figure this out? I’m working on a PowerApp that uses URL’s to open other apps on iOS devices just like what you describe. I was just informed by our IT department that we will be using Intune in the near future. I wonder if I’m wasting my time.

You said it opens native apps. Will your app open iOS Shortcuts? If so, you could use iOS x-callback-url with Shortcuts to open any app with a registered URL schema and return to your PowerApp when the other app executes and succeeds or fails.

Here’s a little info:

https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/shortcuts/apdcd7f20a6f/ios

[Pelicandi]

I have a similar issue - my PowerApp is for example able to open "sms://" via Launch("sms://").. however, if I try other apps like "uber://", nothing happens.

Have you had any luck?

[Anonymous]

@Pelicandi You can use iOS x-callback-url shortcuts by using the iOS Shortcuts app.

For example, create an iOS shortcut that opens uber://.

In PowerApps:

Set(varURL,"Shortcuts://x-callback-url/run-shortcut?name=YourShortcutName&input=text&text=Your~Parameters~Here&x-success=ms-apps:///providers/Microsoft.PowerApps/apps/yourPowerAppID&x-cancel=ms-apps:///providers/Microsoft.PowerApps/apps/yourPowerAppID")

Launch(varURL)

When your shortcut is done, it returns to PowerApps if you do it right.

[Pelicandi]

this is a potential solution - however, I need to have it work without "additional shortcuts" on iOS - as well as on Android.

I'm wondering why it's not working - as it should be? mailto: , tel:// works - did Microsoft limit this functionality?