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The Browser API provides methods to open URLs in different browser contexts, including the system’s default browser, an in-app browser window, or a secure authentication session for OAuth flows.

​
Usage

Open a URL in the system browser: 
use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;

Browser::open('https://example.com');

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Methods

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open(string $url)

Opens a URL in the device’s default system browser (Safari on iOS, Chrome/default on Android). Parameters:
  • $url (string) - The URL to open
Returns: bool - True if successfully opened Example: 
Browser::open('https://nativephp.com');

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inApp(string $url)

Opens a URL in an in-app browser window that remains within your application. Parameters:
  • $url (string) - The URL to open (must be a valid URL)
Returns: bool - True if successfully opened Throws: InvalidArgumentException - If URL is invalid Example: 
Browser::inApp('https://example.com/help');
iOS: Uses SFSafariViewController which provides a Safari-like experience Android: Uses Chrome Custom Tabs for a seamless browsing experience

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auth(string $url)

Opens a URL in a secure authentication session, ideal for OAuth flows and social login. Parameters:
  • $url (string) - The authentication URL to open
Returns: bool - True if successfully opened Example: 
Browser::auth('https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth?...');
This method automatically handles OAuth callbacks using your configured deeplink scheme. The authentication session will close automatically when the callback URL is triggered.

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Examples

use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;

// Open documentation in system browser
public function openDocs()
{
    Browser::open('https://docs.example.com');
}

// Open terms of service in-app
public function showTerms()
{
    Browser::inApp('https://example.com/terms');
}

​
OAuth Authentication Flow

use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Http;

public function loginWithGoogle()
{
    $clientId = config('services.google.client_id');
    $redirectUri = config('services.google.redirect');
    
    $params = http_build_query([
        'client_id' => $clientId,
        'redirect_uri' => $redirectUri,
        'response_type' => 'code',
        'scope' => 'email profile',
    ]);
    
    $authUrl = "https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth?{$params}";
    
    // Open authentication session
    Browser::auth($authUrl);
    
    // The callback will be handled by your deeplink route
}

// In your deeplink handler
Route::get('/auth/google/callback', function (Request $request) {
    $code = $request->get('code');
    
    // Exchange code for access token
    $response = Http::post('https://oauth2.googleapis.com/token', [
        'code' => $code,
        'client_id' => config('services.google.client_id'),
        'client_secret' => config('services.google.client_secret'),
        'redirect_uri' => config('services.google.redirect'),
        'grant_type' => 'authorization_code',
    ]);
    
    $token = $response->json()['access_token'];
    
    // Authenticate user...
});

​
Error Handling

use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;

public function openUrl(string $url)
{
    try {
        $success = Browser::inApp($url);
        
        if (!$success) {
            Log::error('Failed to open browser', ['url' => $url]);
            return back()->withErrors(['message' => 'Could not open link']);
        }
        
        return response()->json(['success' => true]);
    } catch (\InvalidArgumentException $e) {
        return back()->withErrors(['message' => 'Invalid URL provided']);
    }
}

​
In-App Help System

use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;

class HelpController extends Controller
{
    public function show(string $topic)
    {
        $helpUrls = [
            'getting-started' => 'https://help.example.com/getting-started',
            'account' => 'https://help.example.com/account',
            'billing' => 'https://help.example.com/billing',
        ];
        
        if (!isset($helpUrls[$topic])) {
            abort(404);
        }
        
        // Open help article in-app
        Browser::inApp($helpUrls[$topic]);
        
        return response()->json(['opened' => true]);
    }
}

​
Social Sharing

use Native\Mobile\Facades\Browser;

public function shareOnTwitter(Post $post)
{
    $text = urlencode($post->title);
    $url = urlencode(route('posts.show', $post));
    
    $twitterUrl = "https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text={$text}&url={$url}";
    
    Browser::open($twitterUrl);
}

​
Platform Notes

​
iOS

​
open()

  • Opens URLs in Safari
  • User leaves your app temporarily
  • Can return via app switcher or back button

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inApp()

  • Uses SFSafariViewController
  • Provides Safari features (Reader mode, autofill, etc.)
  • User stays within your app context
  • Has a “Done” button to dismiss
  • Shares cookies with Safari

​
auth()

  • Uses ASWebAuthenticationSession
  • Secure and sandboxed environment
  • Automatically handles callback URLs
  • Shows a permission dialog on first use
  • Best for OAuth and social login flows

​
Android

​
open()

  • Opens URLs in default browser (usually Chrome)
  • User leaves your app
  • Returns via back button or app switcher

​
inApp()

  • Uses Chrome Custom Tabs
  • Faster loading (browser pre-warmed)
  • Maintains browser session
  • Smooth animations
  • Has a close button

​
auth()

  • Uses Chrome Custom Tabs with callback handling
  • Secure OAuth flow
  • Automatically closes on callback
  • Handles deeplink redirection
The inApp() method validates URLs and will throw an InvalidArgumentException if the URL is malformed. Always validate user input before passing to this method.
For OAuth flows, make sure your app’s deeplink scheme is properly configured in your app configuration. The auth() method relies on this to handle callbacks correctly.

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