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I know how to open an app that has an intent filter defined, as answered in Launch custom android application from android browser, but what if I'm not in control of the Android app, and it hasn't already defined an intent filter I can use?

Do I need to contact the developer and ask to add an intent filter, or is there some other way to open the application from a browser?

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rlovtang
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1 Answers1

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If the app's Activity does not have an IntentFilter defined, by default the system will keep the Activity private and not export it for other apps to start it. However, if the developer has set the android:exported="true" for that Activity in the app's manifest you should be able to start it by specifying just the component name in the Intent.

Larry Schiefer
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  • Unfortunately, there is no android:exported="true" set. Anyway, this is for launching from another application, right? I need to launch from a web page in the browser. – rlovtang Mar 05 '14 at 11:38
  • If you are launching an `Activity` which is part of your app (which has the browser capability) then you can launch it by component name in the `Intent`. No action, category or data needed. But, if the app is a completely different package and the `Activity` has not been exported then you cannot launch it. – Larry Schiefer Mar 05 '14 at 11:40
  • With browser I mean Chrome, Firefox or Android stock browser. Not a custom Android app with browser capability. What I'm trying to accomplish is to launch a third party app from a normal webpage. – rlovtang Mar 05 '14 at 11:47
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    Ok, then you'd definitely have to contact the app author. – Larry Schiefer Mar 05 '14 at 11:50
  • I was afraid of that. Thanks – rlovtang Mar 05 '14 at 11:51