Device App Links (also known as “Opening supported links” or Deep Linking) is a core Android feature that allows web URLs to automatically launch a specific installed application rather than opening in the web browser. For example, tapping a twitter.com link in an email might automatically open the Twitter app instead of loading the mobile website. While convenient for personal use, this behavior is often undesirable in enterprise or highly secure environments. Organizations utilizing containerized workspaces, web-filtering gateways, or specific web-based SSO portals require all URLs to open strictly within the managed web browser where traffic can be monitored and access controls enforced, rather than escaping into unmanaged native applications.
This guide explains how to completely disable Device App Links system-wide on an Android device, forcing all web URLs to open within your default web browser.
Disable App Links System-Wide
While you can disable link handling on a per-app basis, a true system-wide block requires navigating to the centralized App Links management menu.
- Open the main Settings app on your Android smartphone.
- Scroll down and tap on Apps (or “Apps & notifications” depending on your Android version).
- Tap on Default apps.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and tap on Opening links (or “App links”).
- In this menu, you will see a list of all installed apps that declare support for web URLs. Tap the toggle switch at the very top of the screen (if your manufacturer provides a master switch) to disable all link handling.
- If a master switch is not present, you must tap into each listed app individually (e.g., YouTube, Twitter, Maps) and change the “Open supported links” setting from “Allow app to open supported links” to Don’t allow app to open links (or “Ask every time” if a strict block is not available).
Verify the System State
By revoking this permission, the Android intent system will no longer route standard HTTP/HTTPS URLs to native applications.
To verify the change is successful, open an email client or a messaging app and tap on a link that would normally launch a native application (such as a YouTube video link or an Amazon product page). Instead of the native app launching, the URL will open directly in your default web browser (e.g., Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge). The browser will render the mobile web version of the page, ensuring all traffic remains within the designated browser sandbox.