Share Target

The Web Share Target API allows your PWA to receive content shared from other applications, making it appear alongside native apps in the system's share menu. Users can share text, links, and files directly to your PWA.

Overview

Share Target enables:

Content reception: Receive shared content from other apps
Native integration: Appear in OS share sheet
File handling: Accept images, documents, and other files
Seamless UX: Process shared content within your PWA

How It Works

User shares content: From another app, user clicks "Share"
Your PWA appears: Listed in the share menu
User selects PWA: Chooses your app as destination
PWA opens: Your app receives the shared content
Content processed: Handle the shared data in your application

Browser Support

Good Support: Web Share Target is supported in Chrome, Edge, and Samsung Internet on Android. Limited support on Desktop and iOS.

Check support:

Chrome/Edge: Full support (Android, Desktop)
Safari: Limited support
Firefox: Not supported yet

Basic Configuration

Simple configuration to receive text and links:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/share"
            method: "GET"
            params:
                title: "title"
                text: "text"
                url: "url"

How it works: When content is shared, your PWA opens at /share?title=...&text=...&url=...

Accept image files via POST:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/share-image"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "multipart/form-data"
            params:
                files:
                    - name: "image"
                      accept: ["image/*"]

Complete Configuration

Handle text, URLs, and multiple file types:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/share-content"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "multipart/form-data"
            params:
                title: "title"
                text: "text"
                url: "url"
                files:
                    - name: "media"
                      accept:
                          - "image/*"
                          - "video/*"
                          - "audio/*"

Configuration Parameters

`action`

Type: string or URL object Required: Yes

The URL endpoint that handles shared content.

# Simple path
action: "/share"

# Route name
action:
    route: "app_share"

# With parameters
action:
    route: "app_share"
    params:
        type: "media"

`method`

Type: string Values: GET or POST Default: GET

HTTP method for sharing.

Use GET when:

Sharing only text/URLs (no files)
Content is read-only
No data mutation

Use POST when:

Sharing files
Creating new entries (bookmarks, posts)
Mutating application state

# GET for simple text/URL sharing
method: "GET"

# POST for file sharing
method: "POST"

`enctype`

Type: string Values: application/x-www-form-urlencoded or multipart/form-data Default: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

Encoding type for POST requests. Use multipart/form-data when accepting files.

# For file uploads (required)
enctype: "multipart/form-data"

# For text-only POST (default)
enctype: "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"

`params`

Type: object

Defines parameter names for shared content.

Text Parameters

params:
    title: "title"      # Query param name for shared title
    text: "text"        # Query param name for shared text
    url: "url"          # Query param name for shared URL

File Parameters

params:
    files:
        - name: "photos"        # Form field name
          accept:               # Accepted types
              - "image/png"
              - "image/jpeg"
              - "image/gif"
              - "image/webp"

Symfony Implementation

src/Controller/ShareController.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 ShareController extends AbstractController
{
    #[Route('/share', name: 'app_share', methods: ['GET'])]
    public function share(Request $request): Response
    {
        $title = $request->query->get('title', '');
        $text = $request->query->get('text', '');
        $url = $request->query->get('url', '');

        // Process the shared content
        // For example, pre-fill a form or create a new post

        return $this->render('share/index.html.twig', [
            'title' => $title,
            'text' => $text,
            'url' => $url,
        ]);
    }
}

src/Controller/ShareController.php

<?php

namespace App\Controller;

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

class ShareController extends AbstractController
{
    #[Route('/share-image', name: 'app_share_image', methods: ['POST'])]
    public function shareImage(Request $request): Response
    {
        /** @var UploadedFile|null $image */
        $image = $request->files->get('image');

        if (!$image) {
            return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
        }

        // Validate the file
        if (!$image->isValid()) {
            $this->addFlash('error', 'Invalid file upload');
            return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
        }

        // Process the image (save, resize, etc.)
        $filename = $this->saveSharedImage($image);

        // Redirect to avoid resubmission (303 See Other)
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_image_view', [
            'filename' => $filename
        ], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);
    }

    private function saveSharedImage(UploadedFile $image): string
    {
        $filename = uniqid() . '.' . $image->guessExtension();
        $image->move(
            $this->getParameter('uploads_directory'),
            $filename
        );

        return $filename;
    }
}

Complete Handler (Text + Files)

src/Controller/ShareController.php

<?php

namespace App\Controller;

use App\Entity\Post;
use Doctrine\ORM\EntityManagerInterface;
use Symfony\Bundle\FrameworkBundle\Controller\AbstractController;
use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Request;
use Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\Response;
use Symfony\Component\Routing\Attribute\Route;

class ShareController extends AbstractController
{
    #[Route('/share-content', name: 'app_share_content', methods: ['POST'])]
    public function shareContent(
        Request $request,
        EntityManagerInterface $em
    ): Response {
        // Get text parameters
        $title = $request->request->get('title', '');
        $text = $request->request->get('text', '');
        $url = $request->request->get('url', '');

        // Get shared files
        $media = $request->files->get('media');

        // Create a new post with shared content
        $post = new Post();
        $post->setTitle($title ?: 'Shared Content');
        $post->setContent($text);
        $post->setSourceUrl($url);

        // Handle media files
        if ($media && $media->isValid()) {
            $filename = $this->handleMediaFile($media);
            $post->setMediaFile($filename);
        }

        $em->persist($post);
        $em->flush();

        // Redirect with 303 See Other
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_post_view', [
            'id' => $post->getId()
        ], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);
    }

    private function handleMediaFile($file): string
    {
        // Handle image, video, or audio based on MIME type
        $mimeType = $file->getMimeType();

        if (str_starts_with($mimeType, 'image/')) {
            return $this->handleImage($file);
        } elseif (str_starts_with($mimeType, 'video/')) {
            return $this->handleVideo($file);
        } elseif (str_starts_with($mimeType, 'audio/')) {
            return $this->handleAudio($file);
        }

        throw new \InvalidArgumentException('Unsupported file type');
    }
}

Common Use Cases

Accept text and images for new posts:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/create-post"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "multipart/form-data"
            params:
                title: "title"
                text: "content"
                url: "link"
                files:
                    - name: "photo"
                      accept: ["image/*"]

2. Bookmarking App

Save shared URLs:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/save-bookmark"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"
            params:
                title: "title"
                url: "url"
                text: "notes"

src/Controller/BookmarkController.php

#[Route('/save-bookmark', name: 'app_save_bookmark', methods: ['POST'])]
public function saveBookmark(Request $request, EntityManagerInterface $em): Response
{
    $bookmark = new Bookmark();
    $bookmark->setTitle($request->request->get('title'));
    $bookmark->setUrl($request->request->get('url'));
    $bookmark->setNotes($request->request->get('notes'));
    $bookmark->setCreatedAt(new \DateTime());

    $em->persist($bookmark);
    $em->flush();

    return $this->redirectToRoute('app_bookmarks', [], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);
}

3. Note-Taking App

Capture shared text and links:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/new-note"
            method: "GET"
            params:
                title: "title"
                text: "content"
                url: "source"

4. Photo Gallery

Accept multiple images:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/upload-photos"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "multipart/form-data"
            params:
                files:
                    - name: "photos[]"
                      accept:
                          - "image/jpeg"
                          - "image/png"
                          - "image/webp"
                          - "image/heic"

5. Music Player

Share audio files:

/config/packages/pwa.yaml

pwa:
    manifest:
        share_target:
            action: "/add-to-playlist"
            method: "POST"
            enctype: "multipart/form-data"
            params:
                files:
                    - name: "audio"
                      accept:
                          - "audio/mpeg"
                          - "audio/mp4"
                          - "audio/ogg"
                          - "audio/wav"

Frontend Handling

Pre-fill Form with Shared Data

templates/share/index.html.twig

<form action="{{ path('app_create_post') }}" method="post">
    <div class="form-group">
        <label for="title">Title</label>
        <input type="text"
               id="title"
               name="title"
               class="form-control"
               value="{{ title }}">
    </div>

    <div class="form-group">
        <label for="content">Content</label>
        <textarea id="content"
                  name="content"
                  class="form-control"
                  rows="5">{{ text }}</textarea>
    </div>

    {% if url %}
    <div class="form-group">
        <label for="source">Source URL</label>
        <input type="url"
               id="source"
               name="source"
               class="form-control"
               value="{{ url }}"
               readonly>
    </div>
    {% endif %}

    <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary">Share</button>
</form>

Handle Shared Files with JavaScript

templates/share/upload.html.twig

<form id="shareForm" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
    <div id="preview"></div>
    <button type="submit">Upload</button>
</form>

<script>
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
    const form = document.getElementById('shareForm');
    const preview = document.getElementById('preview');

    // Check if there's a shared file
    const urlParams = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
    if (urlParams.has('file')) {
        // File was shared
        showFilePreview();
    }

    form.addEventListener('submit', async (e) => {
        e.preventDefault();

        const formData = new FormData(form);

        const response = await fetch(form.action, {
            method: 'POST',
            body: formData
        });

        if (response.ok) {
            window.location.href = await response.text();
        }
    });
});

function showFilePreview() {
    // Display preview of shared file
    const preview = document.getElementById('preview');
    preview.innerHTML = '<p>File received! Processing...</p>';
}
</script>

File Type Handling

Accept Specific Image Formats

params:
    files:
        - name: "image"
          accept:
              - "image/png"
              - "image/jpeg"
              - "image/webp"

Accept Documents

params:
    files:
        - name: "document"
          accept:
              - "application/pdf"
              - ".doc"
              - ".docx"
              - "application/vnd.ms-excel"
              - "text/plain"

Accept Videos

params:
    files:
        - name: "video"
          accept:
              - "video/mp4"
              - "video/webm"
              - "video/ogg"

Multiple File Types

params:
    files:
        - name: "media"
          accept:
              - "image/*"
              - "video/*"
        - name: "docs"
          accept:
              - "application/pdf"
              - ".doc"
              - ".docx"

Manual Testing on Android

Install your PWA on Android device
Open another app (e.g., Chrome, Gallery)
Find content to share (webpage, photo)
Tap Share button
Select your PWA from share sheet
Verify content is received correctly

Testing in Chrome DevTools

Share Target can be tested using Chrome DevTools on desktop:

1. Open your PWA
2. Open DevTools (F12)
3. Go to Application → Manifest
4. Click "Share Target" section
5. Use "Test" button to simulate sharing

Programmatic Testing

Test your share endpoint directly:

# Test GET sharing (text/URL)
curl "http://localhost:8000/share?title=Test&text=Hello&url=https://example.com"

# Test POST sharing (file)
curl -X POST http://localhost:8000/share-image \
  -F "[email protected]"

Best Practices

1. Use HTTP 303 See Other for POST

Prevent double submissions:

// ✓ Correct - Use 303
return $this->redirectToRoute('app_success', [], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);

// ✗ Wrong - Use default 302
return $this->redirectToRoute('app_success');

2. Validate Shared Content

Always validate received data:

public function shareContent(Request $request): Response
{
    // Validate text length
    $text = $request->request->get('text', '');
    if (strlen($text) > 5000) {
        $this->addFlash('error', 'Text too long');
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
    }

    // Validate URL
    $url = $request->request->get('url', '');
    if ($url && !filter_var($url, FILTER_VALIDATE_URL)) {
        $this->addFlash('error', 'Invalid URL');
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
    }

    // Validate file
    $file = $request->files->get('image');
    if ($file && !$file->isValid()) {
        $this->addFlash('error', 'Invalid file');
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
    }

    // Process valid content...
}

3. Handle Missing Parameters

Content might be incomplete:

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

    // At least one parameter should be present
    if (empty($title) && empty($text) && empty($url)) {
        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home');
    }

    // Use fallbacks
    $title = $title ?: 'Shared Content';

    // Process...
}

4. Provide User Feedback

Show success/error messages:

public function shareImage(Request $request): Response
{
    try {
        // Process image
        $filename = $this->saveSharedImage($request->files->get('image'));

        $this->addFlash('success', 'Image shared successfully!');

        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_image_view', [
            'filename' => $filename
        ], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);
    } catch (\Exception $e) {
        $this->addFlash('error', 'Failed to share image: ' . $e->getMessage());

        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_home', [], Response::HTTP_SEE_OTHER);
    }
}

5. Authenticate Users

Require authentication for sharing:

#[Route('/share-content', name: 'app_share_content')]
#[IsGranted('ROLE_USER')]
public function shareContent(Request $request): Response
{
    // User must be logged in to share content
    // ...
}

Or redirect to login:

public function shareContent(Request $request): Response
{
    if (!$this->getUser()) {
        // Store shared content in session
        $this->get('session')->set('pending_share', [
            'title' => $request->request->get('title'),
            'text' => $request->request->get('text'),
            'url' => $request->request->get('url'),
        ]);

        return $this->redirectToRoute('app_login');
    }

    // Process share...
}

Debugging

Check Manifest

Verify share_target in manifest:

1. Open your PWA
2. DevTools (F12) → Application → Manifest
3. Check "share_target" section
4. Verify action, method, and params

Log Received Data

Debug what your app receives:

public function share(Request $request): Response
{
    // Log all received data
    $this->logger->info('Share received', [
        'query' => $request->query->all(),
        'request' => $request->request->all(),
        'files' => array_keys($request->files->all()),
    ]);

    // ...
}

Test Endpoint Directly

Test without share sheet:

<!-- Create test form -->
<form action="/share-image" method="post" enctype="multipart/form-data">
    <input type="file" name="image" accept="image/*">
    <button type="submit">Test Share</button>
</form>

Limitations

Browser Support

Android: Full support in Chrome, Edge, Samsung Internet
iOS/Safari: Not supported yet
Desktop: Limited (must install PWA first)
Firefox: Not supported

Platform Restrictions

Requires PWA to be installed
Only works on supported platforms
File size limits apply
Some MIME types may not work on all devices

Security Considerations

Validate File Types

public function shareImage(Request $request): Response
{
    $image = $request->files->get('image');

    // Check MIME type
    $allowedTypes = ['image/jpeg', 'image/png', 'image/webp'];
    if (!in_array($image->getMimeType(), $allowedTypes)) {
        throw new \InvalidArgumentException('Invalid file type');
    }

    // Check file extension
    $extension = $image->guessExtension();
    if (!in_array($extension, ['jpg', 'jpeg', 'png', 'webp'])) {
        throw new \InvalidArgumentException('Invalid file extension');
    }

    // Process...
}

Limit File Size

public function shareImage(Request $request): Response
{
    $image = $request->files->get('image');

    // Check file size (10MB max)
    if ($image->getSize() > 10 * 1024 * 1024) {
        throw new \InvalidArgumentException('File too large');
    }

    // Process...
}

Sanitize Input

use Symfony\Component\String\Slugger\SluggerInterface;

public function share(Request $request, SluggerInterface $slugger): Response
{
    $title = $request->query->get('title', '');
    $text = $request->query->get('text', '');

    // Sanitize title
    $title = strip_tags($title);
    $title = $slugger->slug($title);

    // Sanitize text (allow some HTML)
    $text = strip_tags($text, '<p><br><strong><em>');

    // Process...
}

Shortcuts - App shortcuts configuration
File Handlers - Handle file types
Icons - App icons for share sheet

Resources

MDN Web Share Target: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Manifest/share_target
Web.dev Article: https://web.dev/web-share-target/
Chrome Developers: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/capabilities/web-apis/web-share-target
W3C Spec: https://w3c.github.io/web-share-target/

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Overview

How It Works

Browser Support

Basic Configuration

Sharing Text and URLs

Sharing Files

Complete Configuration

Configuration Parameters

action

method

enctype

params

Text Parameters

File Parameters

Symfony Implementation

Controller for Text/URL Sharing (GET)

Controller for File Sharing (POST)

Complete Handler (Text + Files)

Common Use Cases

1. Social Media: Share Posts

2. Bookmarking App

3. Note-Taking App

4. Photo Gallery

5. Music Player

Frontend Handling

Pre-fill Form with Shared Data

Handle Shared Files with JavaScript

File Type Handling

Accept Specific Image Formats

Accept Documents

Accept Videos

Multiple File Types

Testing Share Target

Manual Testing on Android

Testing in Chrome DevTools

Programmatic Testing

Best Practices

1. Use HTTP 303 See Other for POST

2. Validate Shared Content

3. Handle Missing Parameters

4. Provide User Feedback

5. Authenticate Users

Debugging

Check Manifest

Log Received Data

Test Endpoint Directly

Limitations

Browser Support

Platform Restrictions

Security Considerations

Validate File Types

Limit File Size

Sanitize Input

Related Documentation

Resources

`action`

`method`

`enctype`

`params`