Home/ Questions/Q 5529
Next
In Process

askthedev.com Latest Questions

Asked: 2024-09-25T05:04:48+05:30 In:

How can I configure my Ubuntu system to automatically open WhatsApp links with web.whatsapp.com?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my Ubuntu system open WhatsApp links with web.whatsapp.com automatically, and it’s proving to be more of a headache than I expected!

You know how you just click on a WhatsApp link, and it usually wants to open in some random app or browser? It can be so annoying when it doesn’t just go where you want it to go. I want to streamline my workflow a bit, especially since I hop on WhatsApp for work and personal messages throughout the day. I just want to click a link and seamlessly dive into the chat without a whole bunch of extra steps.

I’ve gone through a few forums, and while there are some suggestions about setting the default browser or modifying some system settings, nothing really seems to stick. I tried digging into the preferences for my web browser, but I can’t figure out if there’s a specific setting I need to tweak. Like, should I be using a specific command in the terminal to change how links are being handled?

I also saw something about MIME types and how they could affect how Ubuntu decides to open these links, but honestly, that just sounds overly complicated for what should be a simple task. If anyone has experience with this or knows of any tricks, I would love to hear your insights! What’s the easiest way to set this up?

I’ve got a friend who swears by tweaking system files, but I’m not sure if I want to dive into that, especially if it can potentially mess things up. Is there a simpler way of getting this to work without risking my whole setup?

Any tips, commands, or even a step-by-step guide would be fantastic. I’m sure there are others out there dealing with this, too, and I’m all about finding solutions that can help us all out. Can anyone lend a hand? Thanks!

Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    2 Answers

    1. To configure your Ubuntu system to open WhatsApp links automatically with web.whatsapp.com, you may need to adjust the default handling of these links. The first step is to ensure your system recognizes the link format (typically “https://wa.me/”) correctly. You can achieve this by editing your default applications through the system settings. Open the Settings application, navigate to “Default Applications,” and set a compatible web browser (like Firefox or Chrome) as your default. Furthermore, ensure that the specific browser you’re using is set to handle all types of HTTP/HTTPS links properly, as browsers sometimes require manual configuration for external applications. You can also check the browser’s settings to confirm that it’s set to handle these links without any additional prompts.

      If these adjustments don’t solve your issue, you might consider modifying your MIME types, though it could seem daunting. Open up a terminal and find out which application handles the “x-scheme-handler/http” and “x-scheme-handler/https” by running xdg-mime query default x-scheme-handler/http. You should see the default application listed. If you want to change it specifically to open WhatsApp links in your preferred browser, you can use xdg-mime default your-browser.desktop x-scheme-handler/http and similarly for “https.” Replace “your-browser.desktop” with the actual .desktop file name of your browser. This method minimizes the risks involved with system file tweaks and keeps things straightforward, ensuring your links route seamlessly to web.whatsapp.com when clicked. It is advisable to back up any important files or settings beforehand, just in case.






    2. Open WhatsApp Links on Ubuntu

      Making WhatsApp Links Open Automatically in Web WhatsApp

      Hey! I totally get your frustration with this. It should be a simple task, but sometimes Linux can be a bit tricky. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set it up:

      Step 1: Update Your System

      First off, make sure your Ubuntu is up to date. Open a terminal and run:

      sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

      Step 2: Set Default Browser

      Check if your default browser is set correctly. Sometimes the browser might not handle the links properly. You can set it via the settings:

      1. Open Settings.
      2. Go to Default Applications.
      3. Make sure your preferred web browser is set as the default.

      Step 3: URL Handling

      If that didn’t work, you can try modifying your MIME types. This sounds complicated, but it’s not too bad!

      Open a terminal, and type:

      xdg-mime default .desktop x-scheme-handler/whatsapp

      Replace with your browser’s name (like firefox, chrome, etc.).

      Step 4: Use Command Line to Open WhatsApp Links

      If you want a quick way to open links directly in WhatsApp Web, you can create a simple shell script:

      echo -e '#!/bin/bash\nxdg-open "https://web.whatsapp.com"' > open_whatsapp.sh

      Then make it executable:

      chmod +x open_whatsapp.sh

      Now whenever you want to open WhatsApp Web, just run this script!

      Alternative Method: Using Browser Settings

      You can also check your browser’s settings:

      • In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and add web.whatsapp.com as an exception.
      • In Firefox, go to Options > General > Applications and ensure WhatsApp links are set to open with your browser.

      Step 5: Reboot and Test

      After trying these changes, restart your computer and test it out by clicking on a WhatsApp link.

      I know it sounds like a lot, but these steps should help streamline the process! Let me know how it goes or if you need more help!


    Related Questions