How can I use NFC to redirect to or open my Progressive Web App?

Question

I\'ve got a progressive web app, app.example.com created using Chrome\'s \"Add to Home Screen\" button on Android.

I have an NFC tag that ordinarily op

Answer 1

Add a helper application as a work-around:

package com.something;

import android.content.Intent;
import android.net.Uri;
import android.nfc.NfcAdapter;
import android.support.annotation.Nullable;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.util.Log;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    }

    private void handleNfcIntent(@Nullable Intent intent) {
        if (intent != null && NfcAdapter.ACTION_NDEF_DISCOVERED.equals(intent.getAction())) {
            //clear the intent so it doesn't come back
            intent.setAction("");
            Uri uri = intent.getData();
            if (uri != null) {
                Intent uriOnlyIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, uri);
                //call the progressive web app registered to view the uri
                startActivity(uriOnlyIntent);
            }
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onNewIntent(final Intent intent) {
        super.onNewIntent(intent);
        setIntent(intent);
    }

    @Override
    protected void onResume() {
        super.onResume();
        //https://stackoverflow.com/a/36942185 provided the insight for handling this way
        //always called after onNewIntent and onCreate allowing a tag reward for a closed app
        handleNfcIntent(getIntent());

    }
}

Your AndroidManifest.xml listens for your target url:

Now when you scan your tag, the NFC Intent will be handled by the installed app which forwards to the View Intent which your Progressive Web App is registered.

For me, this only worked in Android 8, not Android 6 since apparently opening a PWA by clicking on a link in Chrome is also not supported.

An unfortunate work-around so I'm hoping to see a better answer.