How to make a hyperlink on Android: from messages to application development

Creating hyperlinks to Android seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. Depending on the context (a message in the messenger, application code or web page), the methods are radically different. For example, in WhatsApp a link will be inserted automatically, and during development APK markup XML and processing of clicks in Java/Kotlinwill be required. This article covers all scenarios - from basic to professional, taking into account the features of different versions. data-i="41">does not recognize links without Android (from 4.4 KitKat to 14).

We will look at not only how to insert a link into the text, but also how to make it opening. in the desired browser, how to bypass restrictions of some applications (for example, Telegram does not recognize links without http://), and we will even pay special attention to how to create a custom hyperlink in your application with animation hidden Android settings that allow you to change the behavior of links globally - for example, force all links to open in Chrome, and not in the application web viewer.

1. Hyperlinks in the text: messengers and social networks

The most common case is inserting a link in a message: It all depends on the application:

• 📱 WhatsApp/Viber: Links are recognized automatically. Just paste the URL (for example, https://example.com), and it will become clickable. Shortened links are supported (bit.ly, t.co).
• 💬 Telegram: requires an explicit protocol (http:// or https://). Without it, the text will not become a link, even if it looks like it. URL.
• 📧 Gmail/Mail: automatically converts into a hyperlink any text starting with www., http:// or mailto:.
• 📝 Google Docs: select the text → click "Insert link" (chain icon) → enter URL Anchor links are supported. (#section).

⚠️ Attention: B Facebook Messenger and Instagram Direct links only work if they start with http:// or https://. Simply example.com will not work. This is a platform limitation and cannot be circumvented.

To format links in Telegram you can use Markdown or HTML:

[Link text](https://example.com)  
Link text  

2. Creating links in HTML code (for web view)

If you edit an HTML page on Android (for example, via QuickEdit or Acode), hyperlinks are created with a standard tag <a>Features:

• 🌐 Attribute target: by default, links open in the same. window. To open in a new tab, add target="_blank".
• 📱 Adaptability: on mobile devices it is better to avoid target="_blank" - this may cause problems with returning to the page.
• 🔗 Phone links: use for calls Call.
• 📧 Mail links: Write.

Example of code taking into account mobile features:

<a href="https://example.com"
target="_self"
rel="noopener noreferrer">
Go to the site
</a>

3. Hyperlinks in Android applications (for developers)

When creating your own application, hyperlinks are implemented via TextView with the attribute android:autoLink or programmatically via SpannableString. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Automatic links in XML

<TextView
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Visit https://example.com"
android:autoLink="web|phone|email|all" />

Parameters autoLink:

• web - recognizes HTTP/HTTPS links
• phone - telephone numbers
• email — email addresses
• all —all of the above

Method 2: Custom links via SpannableString

val text = "Click here to go"
val spannableString = SpannableString(text)
val clickableSpan = object : ClickableSpan() {
override fun onClick(widget: View) {
val intent = Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("https://example.com"))
startActivity(intent)
}
}
spannableString.setSpan(clickableSpan, 0, text.length, Spanned.SPAN_EXCLUSIVE_EXCLUSIVE)
textView.text = spannableString
textView.movementMethod = LinkMovementMethod.getInstance()

⚠️ Attention: Starting from Android 10 (API 29), opening links in the browser requires an explicit instruction package via Intent:

intent.setPackage("com.android.chrome") // Force open in Chrome

4. Setting the default link handler

Android allows you to change the application that opens links by default This is useful if you. do you prefer Chrome instead of the built-in browser or a specialized application for mailto:.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Default applications.
3. Select Browser or Open links (names may vary).
4. Specify the preferred application (for example, Chrome, Firefox).

The application is installed as the default handler|Links open without additional dialogs|Test link mailto: opens an email client|Test link tel: offers a call -->

For advanced users: you can force reset the settings of handlers through ADB:

adb shell pm clear-defaults com.android.chrome

5. Hyperlinks in documents and notes

Applications for working with text (Google Keep, Evernote, Microsoft Word) support links, but with nuances:

In Google Docs you can create internal link to the title of the same document:

1. Select the text that will become a link (for example, "Return to top").
2. Click on the link icon in the toolbar.
3. In the drop-down menu, select the document title (for example, "Title 1").

6. Problems with hyperlinks and their solutions

Sometimes links do not work or lead to the wrong place. Common reasons and solutions:

• 🔧 The link is not clickable:
  • Check if the URL begins with http:// or https://.
  • In Telegram add a space after the link.
  • In HTML, check the closing tag </a>.
• 🔄 The link is opening in the wrong application:
  • Reset the handler settings (see section 4).
  • Delete the browser cache (Settings → Applications → Chrome → Memory → Clear cache).
• 🚫 Blocking links:
  • Some applications (for example, VK) block external links. Use shorteners (bit.ly).
  • In Android 12+ phishing protection may be triggered - check system notifications.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1, Samsung Galaxy J2 Core) some link processing functions may be limited due to system optimization. In this case, it is recommended to use Chrome Go as the default browser.

7. Hidden features: deep links (Deep Links)

Deep links allow you to open not just web pages, but specific sections of applications. For example, a link like exampleapp://profile/123 can open the profile of a user with ID 123 in a mobile application.

How it works:

1. The developer registers the URL scheme in AndroidManifest.xml:

   <intent-filter>
   <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
   <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
   <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />
   <data android:scheme="exampleapp" android:host="profile" />
   </intent-filter>

2. The user follows the link exampleapp://profile/123.
3. Android redirects the request to the application if it is installed.

Examples of deep links of popular applications:

• whatsapp://send?phone=79991234567 — open a chat on WhatsApp.
• tg://resolve?domain=username —profile on Telegram.
• vk://wall-12345_678 —post on VKontakte.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hyperlinks on Android

Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse("https://example.com"));
intent.setPackage("com.android.chrome");
startActivity(intent);

PackageManager pm = getPackageManager();
if (intent.resolveActivity(pm) != null) {
startActivity(intent);
} else {
// Falls on a standard browser
intent.setPackage(null);
startActivity(intent);
}

webView.setWebViewClient(new WebViewClient() {
@Override
public boolean shouldOverrideUrlLoading(WebView view, String url) {
view.loadUrl(url); // Open inside the WebView
return true;
}
});

@Override
public boolean shouldOverrideUrlLoading(WebView view, WebResourceRequest request) {
if (request.getUrl().toString().contains("yourdomain.com")) {
view.loadUrl(request.getUrl().toString());
return true;
}
// Open the remaining links in the browser
Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, request.getUrl());
startActivity(intent);
return true;
}