Protocol Handlers

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) have the ability to handle web protocols, which means they can respond to specific URL schemes. For example, a PWA can register to handle mailto: links, so that clicking on an email link can open a compose window in the PWA instead of opening the default mail client.

With protocol handlers, your PWA can provide a more integrated user experience, functioning more like a native application by becoming the default handler for specific protocols on the user's device.

Overview

Protocol handlers allow your PWA to:

Handle standard protocols: mailto, tel, sms, etc.
Register custom protocols: Using the web+ prefix
Intercept protocol links: Capture clicks on protocol URLs
Provide integrated experiences: Open your PWA instead of native apps
Deepen user engagement: Make your PWA the default handler

Real-world examples:

Email clients handling mailto: links
Messaging apps handling sms: or tel: links
Music apps handling web+music: links
Recipe apps handling web+recipe: links
Game launchers handling web+game: links

Browser Support

Browser

Support

Notes

Chrome (Desktop)

✅ Full

Since Chrome 96

Chrome (Android)

✅ Full

Since Chrome 96

Edge (Desktop)

✅ Full

Since Edge 96

Safari

❌ Not supported

Firefox

❌ Not supported

Limited Browser Support: Protocol handlers are currently only supported in Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge). Always provide fallback experiences.

Configuration

Basic Configuration

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        enabled: true
        protocol_handlers:
            - protocol: "mailto"
              url: "/compose?to=%s"
            - protocol: "web+custom"
              url:
                  path: "app_feature1"
                  params:
                      foo: "bar"

Complete Example

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        enabled: true
        name: "My Email App"
        protocol_handlers:
            # Standard mailto protocol
            - protocol: "mailto"
              url: "/mail/compose?to=%s"

            # Custom recipe protocol with route
            - protocol: "web+recipe"
              url:
                  path: "app_recipe_view"
                  params:
                      recipe_id: "%s"
                      utm_source: "protocol_handler"

            # Custom music protocol with placeholder
            - protocol: "web+music"
              placeholder: "track"
              url: "/player?track=%s"

Protocol Parameter

The protocol parameter specifies the protocol scheme your PWA can handle. It must follow these rules:

Standard Protocols

Standard web protocols can be registered without any prefix:

mailto - Email addresses

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "mailto"
      url: "/compose?to=%s"

Usage: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Email Me</a>

tel - Telephone numbers

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "tel"
      url: "/call?number=%s"

Usage: <a href="tel:+1234567890">Call Us</a>

sms - SMS messages

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "sms"
      url: "/message?to=%s"

Usage: <a href="sms:+1234567890">Text Us</a>

Custom Protocols

Custom protocols must start with the web+ prefix:

Valid custom protocols:

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "web+jngl"      # ✓ Valid
    - protocol: "web+music"     # ✓ Valid
    - protocol: "web+recipe"    # ✓ Valid
    - protocol: "web+game"      # ✓ Valid

Invalid custom protocols:

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "jngl"          # ✗ Invalid - missing web+ prefix
    - protocol: "custom"        # ✗ Invalid - missing web+ prefix
    - protocol: "myapp"         # ✗ Invalid - missing web+ prefix

Custom Protocol Rules: Custom protocols MUST use the web+ prefix to be valid. Protocols without this prefix are reserved for standard web protocols.

URL Parameter

The url parameter defines where to redirect when the protocol is triggered. The URL can include a placeholder %s that will be replaced with the protocol's argument.

Simple String Format

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "mailto"
      url: "/mail/compose?to=%s"

How it works:

User clicks: mailto:[email protected]
PWA opens: /mail/[email protected]

Advanced Object Format

Just like with shortcuts and start_url, you can use the full URL object configuration:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "web+recipe"
      url:
          path: "app_recipe_view"       # Symfony route name
          params:
              recipe_id: "%s"            # Protocol argument
              utm_source: "protocol_handler"
              utm_medium: "web+recipe"
          path_type_reference: 1         # Absolute path

Corresponding Symfony route:

#[Route('/recipe/{recipe_id}', name: 'app_recipe_view')]
public function viewRecipe(string $recipe_id): Response
{
    // recipe_id will contain the protocol argument
    // Also receives utm_source and utm_medium parameters
}

Path Type Reference

The path_type_reference option controls URL generation:

Value

Type

Example Output

0

Absolute URL

https://app.com/foo/bar

1

Absolute path (default)

/foo/bar

2

Relative path

../bar

3

Network path

//app.com/foo/bar

Example:

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "web+app"
      url:
          path: "app_feature"
          path_type_reference: 0  # Generates full URL with domain

Placeholder Parameter

When you need more control over the placeholder format, you can use the placeholder parameter. The bundle will automatically format it as placeholder=%s:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "web+jngl"
      placeholder: "type"
      url: "/handle?type=%s"

How it works:

User clicks: web+jngl:example
PWA opens: /handle?type=example

Without placeholder (default):

User clicks: web+jngl:example
PWA opens: /handle?example (not ideal)

This allows you to create more semantic URL patterns for your protocol handlers.

Use Cases

1. Email Client

Handle mailto: links to compose emails in your PWA:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        name: "WebMail Pro"
        protocol_handlers:
            - protocol: "mailto"
              url: "/compose?to=%s"

src/Controller/EmailController.php

<?php

namespace App\Controller;

use Symfony\Bundle\FrameworkBundle\Controller\AbstractController;
use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Request;
use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
use Symfony\Component\Routing\Attribute\Route;

class EmailController extends AbstractController
{
    #[Route('/compose', name: 'app_compose')]
    public function compose(Request $request): Response
    {
        $to = $request->query->get('to', '');

        return $this->render('email/compose.html.twig', [
            'to' => $to,
        ]);
    }
}

2. Phone Dialer

Handle tel: links for a calling app:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        name: "WebPhone"
        protocol_handlers:
            - protocol: "tel"
              placeholder: "number"
              url: "/call?number=%s"

src/Controller/PhoneController.php

#[Route('/call', name: 'app_call')]
public function call(Request $request): Response
{
    $number = $request->query->get('number', '');

    // Clean and validate phone number
    $cleanNumber = preg_replace('/[^0-9+]/', '', $number);

    return $this->render('phone/call.html.twig', [
        'number' => $cleanNumber,
    ]);
}

3. Recipe App

Handle custom web+recipe: protocol:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        name: "RecipeBook"
        protocol_handlers:
            - protocol: "web+recipe"
              url:
                  path: "app_recipe_view"
                  params:
                      id: "%s"

src/Controller/RecipeController.php

#[Route('/recipe/{id}', name: 'app_recipe_view')]
public function view(string $id, RecipeRepository $repository): Response
{
    $recipe = $repository->find($id);

    if (!$recipe) {
        throw $this->createNotFoundException('Recipe not found');
    }

    return $this->render('recipe/view.html.twig', [
        'recipe' => $recipe,
    ]);
}

Sharing recipes:

<a href="web+recipe:chocolate-chip-cookies">
    Open in RecipeBook
</a>

4. Music Player

Handle web+music: protocol for streaming:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        name: "MusicStream"
        protocol_handlers:
            - protocol: "web+music"
              placeholder: "track"
              url: "/player?track=%s"

src/Controller/MusicController.php

#[Route('/player', name: 'app_music_player')]
public function player(Request $request): Response
{
    $trackId = $request->query->get('track', '');

    // Validate and load track
    $track = $this->getTrackById($trackId);

    return $this->render('music/player.html.twig', [
        'track' => $track,
        'autoplay' => true,
    ]);
}

5. Multi-Protocol App

Support multiple protocols in one PWA:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        name: "Communication Hub"
        protocol_handlers:
            # Email
            - protocol: "mailto"
              url: "/mail/compose?to=%s"

            # Phone
            - protocol: "tel"
              url: "/phone/call?number=%s"

            # SMS
            - protocol: "sms"
              url: "/sms/compose?to=%s"

            # Video call
            - protocol: "web+videocall"
              placeholder: "room"
              url: "/video/join?room=%s"

Registration Process

1. User Installs PWA

When a user installs your PWA, the browser detects protocol handlers in the manifest.

2. Permission Request

The browser prompts the user to allow the PWA to handle specified protocols.

Chrome prompt example:

Allow "My Email App" to open mailto links?
[Allow] [Block]

3. Default Handler

If the user allows, your PWA becomes an available handler for those protocols.

User can:

Set your PWA as the default handler
Choose on a case-by-case basis
Revoke permissions later

Testing

1. Test Protocol Links

Create test HTML page with protocol links:

public/test-protocols.html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Protocol Handler Test</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Test Protocol Handlers</h1>

    <h2>Standard Protocols</h2>
    <ul>
        <li><a href="mailto:[email protected]">Test mailto</a></li>
        <li><a href="tel:+1234567890">Test tel</a></li>
        <li><a href="sms:+1234567890">Test sms</a></li>
    </ul>

    <h2>Custom Protocols</h2>
    <ul>
        <li><a href="web+recipe:123">Test web+recipe</a></li>
        <li><a href="web+music:track-456">Test web+music</a></li>
        <li><a href="web+game:level-7">Test web+game</a></li>
    </ul>
</body>
</html>

2. Check Manifest in DevTools

1. Open DevTools (F12)
2. Go to Application → Manifest
3. Check "Protocol Handlers" section
4. Verify all protocols are listed
5. Verify URLs are correct

3. Test Registration Flow

1. Install PWA (if not installed)
2. Click a protocol link
3. Observe permission prompt
4. Allow protocol handling
5. Verify PWA opens with correct URL
6. Check query parameters are populated

4. JavaScript Testing

public/test-protocol.js

// Check if protocol handler is registered
function checkProtocolHandler(protocol) {
    if ('getInstalledRelatedApps' in navigator) {
        navigator.getInstalledRelatedApps()
            .then(apps => {
                console.log('Installed apps:', apps);
            });
    }
}

// Test protocol link
function testProtocol(protocol, value) {
    const link = `${protocol}:${value}`;
    console.log('Testing protocol:', link);
    window.location.href = link;
}

// Examples
testProtocol('mailto', '[email protected]');
testProtocol('web+recipe', '123');

User Management

Checking Permissions

Users can manage protocol handlers in browser settings:

Chrome:

chrome://settings/handlers

Edge:

edge://settings/content/defaultProtocolHandlers

Revoking Permission

Users can remove your PWA as a protocol handler:

Open browser settings
Go to Protocol handlers / Default apps
Find your PWA
Click "Remove" or "Block"

Best Practices

1. Request Only Needed Protocols

# ✓ Good - only essential protocols
protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "mailto"
      url: "/compose?to=%s"

# ✗ Bad - too many protocols
protocol_handlers:
    - protocol: "mailto"
    - protocol: "tel"
    - protocol: "sms"
    - protocol: "web+custom1"
    - protocol: "web+custom2"
    # ... (requesting too many)

2. Provide Clear Value

Explain why users should allow protocol handling:

<div class="protocol-prompt">
    <h2>Make [App Name] your default email client</h2>
    <p>Click "Allow" to open email links in [App Name] instead of your default mail client.</p>
    <button onclick="testMailto()">Try it now</button>
</div>

3. Handle Missing Parameters

#[Route('/compose', name: 'app_compose')]
public function compose(Request $request): Response
{
    $to = $request->query->get('to');

    // Handle case where 'to' is missing
    if (!$to) {
        return $this->render('email/compose.html.twig', [
            'to' => '',
            'error' => 'No recipient specified',
        ]);
    }

    // Validate email
    if (!filter_var($to, FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL)) {
        return $this->render('email/compose.html.twig', [
            'to' => $to,
            'error' => 'Invalid email address',
        ]);
    }

    return $this->render('email/compose.html.twig', [
        'to' => $to,
    ]);
}

4. Sanitize Protocol Input

#[Route('/call', name: 'app_call')]
public function call(Request $request): Response
{
    $number = $request->query->get('number', '');

    // Sanitize phone number
    $cleanNumber = preg_replace('/[^0-9+\-() ]/', '', $number);

    // Validate format
    if (!preg_match('/^[\d\s()+\-]+$/', $cleanNumber)) {
        throw $this->createNotFoundException('Invalid phone number');
    }

    return $this->render('phone/call.html.twig', [
        'number' => $cleanNumber,
    ]);
}

5. Provide Fallback

Always ensure your app works even if protocol handlers aren't available:

// Feature detection
if ('launchQueue' in window) {
    // Protocol handlers supported
    console.log('Protocol handlers available');
} else {
    // Provide alternative navigation
    console.log('Protocol handlers not supported');
}

6. Test Across Browsers

# Test matrix
- ✓ Chrome (Desktop) - Full support
- ✓ Chrome (Android) - Full support
- ✓ Edge (Desktop) - Full support
- ✗ Safari - Not supported (provide fallback)
- ✗ Firefox - Not supported (provide fallback)

Security Considerations

1. HTTPS Required

Protocol handlers only work over HTTPS:

# ✓ Works - HTTPS
https://your-app.com

# ✗ Doesn't work - HTTP
http://your-app.com

2. Validate Input

Always validate and sanitize protocol arguments:

public function handleProtocol(Request $request): Response
{
    $input = $request->query->get('data', '');

    // Validate and sanitize
    if (!$this->isValid($input)) {
        throw $this->createAccessDeniedException('Invalid input');
    }

    // Escape for output
    $safeInput = htmlspecialchars($input, ENT_QUOTES, 'UTF-8');

    return $this->render('template.html.twig', [
        'data' => $safeInput,
    ]);
}

3. Prevent Open Redirects

public function handleUrl(Request $request): Response
{
    $url = $request->query->get('url', '');

    // Validate URL is from your domain
    if (!$this->isInternalUrl($url)) {
        throw $this->createAccessDeniedException('External URLs not allowed');
    }

    return $this->redirect($url);
}

private function isInternalUrl(string $url): bool
{
    $parsed = parse_url($url);
    $allowedHosts = ['yourdomain.com', 'www.yourdomain.com'];

    return isset($parsed['host']) && in_array($parsed['host'], $allowedHosts);
}

4. Respect User Choice

Always provide an easy way for users to opt-out:

<div class="settings">
    <h3>Protocol Handlers</h3>
    <p>You can disable protocol handling in your browser settings.</p>
    <a href="chrome://settings/handlers" target="_blank">
        Manage Protocol Handlers
    </a>
</div>

Common Issues

Protocol Handler Not Appearing

Problem: PWA doesn't appear as protocol handler option

Solutions:

Verify PWA is installed (not just bookmarked)
Check browser supports protocol handlers (Chrome/Edge only)
Ensure manifest includes protocol_handlers
Clear browser cache and reinstall PWA
Check DevTools → Application → Manifest

Permission Not Requested

Problem: Browser doesn't prompt for protocol handler permission

Solutions:

User must click a protocol link first
Browser only prompts once per protocol
Check if permission was previously denied
Reset permissions in browser settings

Wrong URL Generated

Problem: Protocol handler opens wrong URL

Solutions:

Verify %s placeholder is in URL
Check path_type_reference value
Ensure Symfony route exists
Check route parameters match configuration

Protocol Not Working

Problem: Clicking protocol link doesn't open PWA

Solutions:

Verify protocol format (must start with web+ for custom)
Check PWA is set as default handler
Test in supported browser (Chrome/Edge)
Verify PWA is still installed

Troubleshooting

Debug Protocol Handling

// Monitor protocol launches
if ('launchQueue' in window) {
    window.launchQueue.setConsumer((launchParams) => {
        console.log('Launched with:', launchParams.targetURL);

        // Extract protocol
        const url = new URL(launchParams.targetURL);
        console.log('Protocol:', url.protocol);
        console.log('Full URL:', url.href);
    });
}

Check Protocol Registration

1. Open chrome://settings/handlers
2. Look for your PWA
3. Verify protocols are listed
4. Check "Allow" is selected

Test Without Installation

Protocol handlers only work for installed PWAs. To test:

Install PWA first
Then click protocol links
Or test from external page/app

Shortcuts - App shortcuts configuration
Start URL - URL configuration
File Handlers - Handle file types

Resources

MDN Protocol Handlers: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Manifest/protocol_handlers
Web.dev: https://web.dev/url-protocol-handler/
Chrome Platform Status: https://chromestatus.com/feature/5680742077038592
W3C Spec: https://w3c.github.io/manifest-app-info/#protocol_handlers-member

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Overview

Browser Support

Configuration

Basic Configuration

Complete Example

Protocol Parameter

Standard Protocols

Custom Protocols

URL Parameter

Simple String Format

Advanced Object Format

Path Type Reference

Placeholder Parameter

Use Cases

1. Email Client

2. Phone Dialer

3. Recipe App

4. Music Player

5. Multi-Protocol App

Registration Process

1. User Installs PWA

2. Permission Request

3. Default Handler

Testing

1. Test Protocol Links

2. Check Manifest in DevTools

3. Test Registration Flow

4. JavaScript Testing

User Management

Checking Permissions

Revoking Permission

Best Practices

1. Request Only Needed Protocols

2. Provide Clear Value

3. Handle Missing Parameters

4. Sanitize Protocol Input

5. Provide Fallback

6. Test Across Browsers

Security Considerations

1. HTTPS Required

2. Validate Input

3. Prevent Open Redirects

4. Respect User Choice

Common Issues

Protocol Handler Not Appearing

Permission Not Requested

Wrong URL Generated

Protocol Not Working

Troubleshooting

Debug Protocol Handling

Check Protocol Registration

Test Without Installation

Related Documentation

Resources