Xcode, Swift: How to detect link click and stop redirecting Safari?

Question

I created a new blank Single View Application with an UITextView that contains the link https://example.com.

When running my app, it auto detects that link and makes it blue. When clicking on this link, it gets opened in Apple Safari Browser.

How can I detect the link click and stop redirecting to Safari?

I tried the following code:

func webView(_ webView: UIWebView, shouldStartLoadWith request: URLRequest, navigationType: UIWebView.NavigationType) -> Bool {
    print("Link clicked!")
    return false
}

Unfortunately I'm not getting the print("Link clicked!") in console and it's still redirecting to Safari.

What am I doing wrong?

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 09 '18 at 16:32

3

This code will prevent the URL to get opened in Safari and will print the link in console:

import UIKit

class ViewController: UIViewController, UITextViewDelegate {

    @IBOutlet var myTextViewAction: UITextView!

    override func viewDidLoad() {
        super.viewDidLoad()
        myTextViewAction.delegate = self
    }

    func textView(_ textView: UITextView, shouldInteractWith URL: URL, in characterRange: NSRange, interaction: UITextItemInteraction) -> Bool {
        print("\nThis link was clicked: \(URL.absoluteString)\n")
        return false
    }
}

edited Dec 09 '18 at 16:32

David

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answered Dec 09 '18 at 15:08

ppalancica

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It's an UITextView, NOT WebView. I guess, this is why `webView()` isn't get called then clicking on a link in an `UITextView`. – David Dec 09 '18 at 15:09
Ok, then it has nothing to do with the method you wrote. – ppalancica Dec 09 '18 at 15:10
https://stackoverflow.com/a/20032788/8447312 take a look at this answer, its objective C but just get the method name, and try to see if you can prevent opening in safari – emrepun Dec 09 '18 at 15:14
@David I've updated the answer. I've tested, and it works. Please test it and accept my answer. – ppalancica Dec 09 '18 at 15:15
@ppalancica I'm still testing but it seems to work. Thanks! – David Dec 09 '18 at 15:42
@ppalancica How can I get the clicked link? – David Dec 09 '18 at 15:48
1

@David URL.absoluteString inside that Delegate Method – ppalancica Dec 09 '18 at 15:49
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](https://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/184961/discussion-between-ppalancica-and-david). – ppalancica Dec 09 '18 at 16:33

Xcode, Swift: How to detect link click and stop redirecting Safari?

1 Answers1