Open Links in Apps

Problem

Safari on iOS and macOS consistently opens links in the browser even when a native app is installed. Users clicking a Twitter link get the mobile web version; a Spotify link opens the web player. Combined with tracking-laden URLs and AMP redirects, the result is a worse experience at every click.

Solution

Open Links in Apps is a Safari extension that intercepts navigations and applies a chain of transformations before the page loads:

1. Native app redirect — match the URL against 30+ supported apps and hand off to the native app.
2. Tracking parameter removal — strip UTM parameters, fbclid, gclid, and other known tracking tokens from URLs.
3. AMP stripping — resolve AMP URLs to canonical originals before loading.
4. Short URL expansion — expand bit.ly, t.co, and similar URLs to reveal the real destination.

All transformations run locally in the extension process. No network calls, no logging, no telemetry.

Engineering Highlights

• Safari App Extension architecture: content script intercepts navigations synchronously; no background service worker required.
• Rule engine: modular transformation pipeline where each step (redirect, strip, expand) is independently configurable and can be enabled per-site or globally.
• Profiles: Work / Personal / Travel profiles let users switch redirect sets with a tap.
• 30+ supported apps: YouTube, Twitter/X, Reddit, Instagram, Spotify, and others, with app availability detection.
• Universal Purchase: single App Store purchase covers iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
• Privacy-first: 100% local processing. Extension declares no remote connections in its privacy manifest.
• Lifetime premium: free tier with core features; $2.99 one-time purchase for full rule customization, logs, and all profiles.

Platform Constraints

Safari extension APIs changed significantly in iOS 18 and macOS 15, requiring updates to adopt the new content blocking and navigation interception interfaces. App Store review required detailed technical justification for the extension’s network-interception capabilities.

Outcome

A well-reviewed privacy utility that improves the Safari experience for users with large native app collections. Available as a Universal Purchase on the App Store, covering iPhone, iPad, and Mac.