Open Android App or App activity via URL formatted Shortcut

Hi Paulo,

• Our Knowledge Base (KB) Article on this is here, but doesn't contain much detail yet: Can a Shortcut Tile open an App?
• There's a Topic open for this for iOS and I hope some of the information may apply to Android: http://support.actiontiles.com/topics/1017-ios-apps-that-can-be-added-to-actiontiles-as-shortcuts/

Let's see if the ActionTiles Community has some suggestions that they know work for Android...

hey again,

is it possible to get more info how this option works?

I mean, it only sends an url through the default browser and opens it?

I'm asking cause i've tried several ways to open an Android App, but with no sucess.. I've searched online and it seams it's possible with intents... The browser just reads that url intent and opens the local app...

also tried with activities like: com.google.android.music/com.google.android.music.ui.HomeActivity and it just sends me back to action tiles options..

simple things like skype://, pandora:// just opens the broswer with the link: unsafe://skype://

Maybe action tiles doesn't send the link to the browser correctly.. I don't know... i'm just trying to find something...

lol

Do you have any example links that you found work in a plain Android Chrome browser, but are not working from an ActionTiles Shortcut Tile?

your spotify reference that you mention above on android FireHD 10 does not work.  Any assistance on how to get this enabled to be leveraged through actiontiles and fully kiosk browser is greatly appreciated.

I'm sorry if i mislead you into thinking I had found any...

Nothing worked.... Every time Chrome opens with any link i've tried i get" unsafe:link_used"

Also tried it to open with default browser but it just searchs...

With app activities, like com.google.android.music/com.google.android.music.ui.HomeActivity the browser takes me to action tiles options

Maybe it's an android thing...

I'm confused Paulo, sorry...

• Does this type of link: "com.google.android.music/com.google.android.music.ui.HomeActivity" work for you completely outside of ActionTiles??? Do you have other links that work properly outside of ActionTiles in a plain Chrome tab?

i.e., We need to start by finding a set of test URLs that function 100% reliably with ActionTiles completely out of the picture. Only then can we diagnose ActionTiles's handling or mis-handling of those URLs.

Thank-you.

Yeah.. kind of hard to explain when it's not our native language...

let's see... I've been looking for ways to launch apps through a browser, since it seams that is how action tiles opens them... I've discovered that those are called intents or url schemes that developers use in their apps to allow the browser to open their app. Nothing that i've tested opens the apps... The browser just googles for it...

Now, apps have those activies, that from what I can understand are simple shortcuts to activitys in an app...

if i create and shortcut with this activities in android they will work... But not through the browser...

Was it more clear now?

Thanks for the effort and the extra details...

if i create and shortcut with this activities in android they will work... But not through the browser...

At this time, ActionTiles does not directly support opening Android "Activities"

I had this same scenario for my Nest Cameras. Originally I was planning on setting up each camera as an action tile with the url to each camera, but for security reasons and performance I chose not to enable public viewing of my camera and thought it would be just as easy for me to create a URL Action Tile to open up my Nest App. Initially when I created the URL shortcut it would always take me to the Nest Web Page instead of my Nest App. Functioning with Nest on the Web is so much slower.

Long story short, what I figured out for Nest anyway is the following. I created an Action Tile for URL and placed the following link and when I click on my "Nest Direct" Tile. URL used "https://home.nest.com/redirect/android".

This is a URL that nest must have built to allow you to click from the web to get to the app

For your situation, it looks a little more difficult in how the Google Play apps work and function between the store and the web and redirects. I did a little research and what I was able to do was maybe get you one step closer to what you are trying to accomplish. I created a URL shortcut tile using the following address. I played with it and tried removing all search criteria but that wouldn't work. Place this address into your shortcut and it will take you to the app version on your phone. When the App opens, you still have to select the 3 horizontal bars and select My Music. As close I can get you: http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbgV3nOJYHAwA.Gpx.9w4;_ylu=X3oDMTE0bjZkdG9iBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVUkyRkJUM18xBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1491274999/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fplay.google.com%2fstore%2fmusic/RK=0/RS=.jgzO_g4ddqgLP3uS7jAvt8moG0-

Looks like it cut the url off. Here it is again:

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbgV3nOJYHAwA.Gpx.9w4;_ylu=X3oDMTE0bjZkdG9iBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDVUkyRkJUM18xBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1491274999/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fplay.google.com%2fstore%2fmusic/RK=0/RS=.jgzO_g4ddqgLP3uS7jAvt8moG0-

You don't really mean to go through Yahoo Search... right??

You mean:

https://play.google.com/store/music

Correct?

You can even click directly on the url above and it will redirect you appropriately to the play music app. It works for me clicking above and also from my shortcut in action tiles.

I had varying results with using the direct url you have posted Terry. It seemed like sometimes it would take me to the Google play store and I would have to hit Open and then other times it would take me to the app. Not sure if this had something to do with the play music already being opened on the phone, but it never failed when I used the search link I posted. That is the better approach without all the garbage in the url, but not clear on why it directs to the store first "press open" sometimes. Bizarre.

So I was just messing with another link. It doesn't redirect when using it in the web, but it takes you directly to My Music in the Google Play App from a URL Action Tile. Terry if you can get it to work with out all the garbage in the url, more power to you, but this definitely works from Action Tiles. The first time I did it, I had to select which Google account I wanted to use. I had also tried with the url you sent with /listen?authuser to no avail: http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbnG_peJYRZMALXFx.9w4;_ylu=X3oDMTE0MGIxMGUyBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDVUkyRkJUM18xBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1491277376/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fplay.google.com%2fmusic%2flisten%3fauthuser/RK=0/RS=HAYHxSeZ0S2sWslipn8TgYgAzT4-

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrSbnG_peJYRZMALXFx.9w4;_ylu=X3oDMTE0MGIxMGUyBGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwMyBHZ0aWQDVUkyRkJUM18xBHNlYwNzcg--/RV=2/RE=1491277376/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fplay.google.com%2fmusic%2flisten%3fauthuser/RK=0/RS=HAYHxSeZ0S2sWslipn8TgYgAzT4-

well, sometimes we just complicate things..

That simple https://play.google.com/store/music redirects me to the music app in my phone, which is good. It takes me to the store. Then I have to go to my music, where it really opens the Google play music..still, it's a start.

It works on the phone, but on my tablet it doesn't. It just opens Google Play music store in the browser. Initially I thought it could be because I'm using fully kiosk browser, but had no luck with chrome to...

Until we find some urls that actually work on android it could work, but it's a shame we can't just open a simple app link

The ability to "open a simple app link" may be possible in the future. Just consider it a feature request; but I'd like to focus on what is possible "now" and isolate other options later.

Thank-you.

lol. That's correct. It's easy to confirm that no special links open in Android as apparently they do in iOS.

But link I mentioned in my other post, got it working how I wanted by using

https://play.google.com/music?authuser=0.

Thanks for the help

Ok.

This link opens directly my music... Not the store...

https://play.google.com/music?authuser=0

Works great on the phone, still opens in browser on the tablet... Still, awesome stuff now :)

What's different about the phone and tablet environment?

• OS, OS version, Browser, Browser version, Music App version?

This works in a URL Shortcut Action Tile as well:

https://play.google.com/music?u=0#

If you have your Google Play Music already opened, the Action Tile will redirect you back to your App where you currently were when you physically opened the app, whether I was in Music Library, New Releases, etc. Well that's how it behaved for me. Looks good.

I believe it's the browser... Not recognizing user agent as mobile so it opens in browser.

Already contacted developer for some info.

It works using chrome

Update...

In android opening apps through the browser is done using intents...

To open Google play music app it's used:

intent:#Intent;component=com.google.android.music/.ui.HomeActivity;end

Using this url in my browser, except chrome (I think it changed the way it handles intents) it opens the mobile app.

If I use it in action tiles it's not working and failing to open any app. Maybe action tiles sends any other argument with the url?

Using this url in my browser, except chrome...

What browser are you testing with "except chrome"??

Sorry...English not being my native language makes write things incomplete fearing that I can't explain correctly but I guess it's the other way around..

For my dashboards I use fully kiosk browser. That's where tried. After my search I discovered those "intent things" and since it was not working i asked for the developer help.

How could I open apps through the url. After several tries using that syntaxe it opens any android / app activity through the browser.

I've tried in Chrome but chrome just searches for that string. A few minutes ago I installed other browsers. Some behave like chrome, search the string in Google, some open the "open with"' window dialog...

So... In fully kiosk browser if I use this

intent:#Intent;component=com.google.android.music/.ui.HomeActivity;end

In url it opens. If I use it through action tiles I says it can't open that app.

In other browsers I had no success...

Well, I'm trying... Intents also allow arguments, meaning I can use a intent to open a playlist directly in Google music app...

• Fully Kiosk Browser uses the "same" underlying libraries (chromium / android "web view") as Chrome; though I don't know if they have any particular differences.
• There's a very old question on Stack Overflow about the "intent:#" format not working: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/36718678/deep-linking-in-android-chrome-does-not-launch-intent-links
• Just more Googling... http://stackoverflow.com/questions/24808777/deep-linking-intent-does-not-work?rq=1

Maybe action tiles sends any other argument with the url?

If you hover over link the Shortcut Tile; you'll see Chrome tacks "unsafe:" in front of the URL. I don't think we do anything like that. We do add: target="_blank";

I've came across those questions at stackoverflow. It's a really confuse question / issue. Even more for non coders like me. Lol

Still, the developer from fully kiosk said that his browser fully supports intent scheme. I'm insisting on this because intents where the only way I found in android to lauch an app.

Using a regular browser I can't prevent any user to leave the dashboard/close it/mess around. A browser like fully kiosk allows full control of the tablet / dashboard.

Gonna see if he can help more... I have no idea if the argument target= blank could be the issue. But if I use the intent directly at the nav bar it works and it opens what I want

Thanks for your effort, Paulo!

At this time, we just don't have the resources to do debugging of various mobile browsers.

So far I've gotten the URL shortcuts to open up Android apps for 5 useful apps from ActionTiles.  They are:

Shopping List (Google Assistant Shopping list)

To Do list - managed in Keep

Calendar - 

Skype

Spotify

The secret so far has been to go into the application info screen in settings (where is gives you the options to uninstall or "Force Stop" at the top), and scroll to the bottom.  Go into "Set as Default", and then "Supported Web Addresses".  Once you know what the associated web addresses are for the apps you want to open, you can further refine it for things like specific playlists in Spotify or specific to-do lists.

One thing that frustrates me though, is that I can't change the icon on the tile.  Is that feature in the road-map anytime soon?  Maybe even using custom/imported icons?

Interestingly enough, I tried to create a shortcut tile for SmartThings, to open up the real app if need be, but none of the supported web addresses that were listed would work.  I suspect there is some sort of conflict with ActionTiles itself.

Great tips and detail, JB! 

1. Yes... We will be offering more icon customization options. Not exactly sure how broad yet.
2. There is no possibility at all (none!) that ActionTiles "conflicts" with the SmartThings App. Our front-end uses absolutely no SmartThings resources or connections.

Thanks.  I'll keep fiddling with it and see if I can fix it.  I'm trying to get to a point where Actiontiles is actually the launcher on my wall mounted tablet, so if you hit the home button it just takes you back to your main panel, and then you can navigate wherever you want from there, whether it's apps or smart devices.

If you are using Fully you can use the JavaScript integration method, its the only way I have found to reliable open applications, there is some code here: https://github.com/ocdc/FullyLauncher which should help.

The above won't work for web or android however. It could be fairly easily added to handle both I just haven't had the time.

and...after all that, I decided to use Fully as my browser and the links no longer work. Back to the drawing board.

Current solution is to use "Smart Task Launcher" which creates a hot spot on the side of the screen to pull out a configurable app tray.  Not as intuitive to the casual user, but able to support more apps.

Anymore info in relation to this possible issue ? Fully kiosk seems to be the "go to" option because of full screen. It stays that it supports intents within the specs for fully kiosk lockdown.  Essentially. I can't get any to work at all with any browser. 

I can't get any apps to open from a tile on my tablet from a shortcut tile.  Can someone post an example URL for that?  I don't understand what it is supposed to look like, and didn't see that in any of the posts in this thread.

I would like to start Rain Alarm, but can't get that to work.  Even using the website URL, it redirects to the Play Store, not the app on my tablet.  And it is kind of slow anyway, first opening the browser.

I kind of figured it out.  I installed Tasker URL Launcher app, then set up a Task in Tasker called RainAlarmStart. Then I use the url tasker://RainAlarmStart to start Rain Alarm.

But...  it doesn't work from ActionTiles shortcut I created to run it without the tabs and URL bar.  Not sure why since it works from both Chrome and Chrome Beta browsers.  I guess it uses some sort of built in browser and this is an old tablet, so the built in browser is probably out of date.

here are the URLs that I've come up with so far.  I'm yet to find an app that doesn't work, if you follow the process I described above.

Spotify - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.spotify.music/.MainActivity;end

SmartThings - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.smartthings.android/.main.MainActivity;end

Hangouts - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.talk/.SigningInActivity;end

Calendar - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.calendar/com.android.calendar.AllInOneActivity;end

Google Home - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.apps.chromecast.app/.DiscoveryActivity;end

Skype - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.skype.raider/.Main;end

Harmony - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.logitech.harmonyhub/.ui.SplashActivity;end

At this point, this is working so well, I would consider the problem solved.  The only problem that remains, is that I'm going to need a lot of new icons :)

Can you tell me the step by step process for finding the intent urls for my apps. Im looking for the ones for ADT Pulse, Tinycam, and Sonos. Thanks

Hi JB, do you know the intent for Arlo?

I got it:

Arlo: intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.netgear.android/.main.MainActivity;end

Thanks!

Jorge

the only issue I have is this intent forces me to log into Arlo every time, have you experienced this or does it bring you directly to your cameras?

@JB Bentz

Thanks a lot for your help here with the intents, etc.
I saw this a while back, but finally got around to checking out how it works tonight. 

Very cool! I have already used some of the ones you listed, and have even started the process of trying to come up with others. For the first couple, I just did some Google Foo, but then I decided to try the 'Single App Mode' in Fully as you suggested...

OMG! it takes Soooooo looooong for it to come up with the list of apps. I suppose that's what I get for having too many apps on my phone  lol 

So far, I've confirmed over 50 app intent URLs (I'd post em if anyone thinks it would be worth it, but I didn't want to just junk up the thread), but the one that isn't working is Google Play. When I click the tile for that one, the screen flashes, and it says, "Google Play has stopped". 

Has anyone had any more success with that one yet? 

It would probably be handy for lots of folks if you posted your list.  I know people come in here asking for URLs of random apps all the time.

I haven't personally tried to add Google play to AT yet.  My use case is that I want the dashboard to only access "smart home" apps, and lock people out of doing any of the standard tablet stuff. 

Right-on. Here is my list (broken into some relevant categories)...


HOME AUTOMATION RELATED APPS 

BloomSky
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.bloomsky.bloomsky/com.bloomsky.android.MainTabActivity_;end

HydraWise
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.hydrawise.android2_2/.MainActivity;end

IFTTT
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.ifttt.ifttt/.home.HomeActivity;end

LIFX
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.lifx.lifx/com.lifx.app.MainActivity;end

Nexia
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.schlagelink.android/com.nexia.ui.activities.MainActivity;end

Ring
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.ringapp/.ui.activities.LoginActivity;end

SharpTools
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.boshdirect.stwidgets/.LauncherActivity;end

Stringify
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.stringify.stringify/md5f25af2d8718ffb629497347e75aa7c23.SplashActivity;end

Tasker
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=net.dinglisch.android.taskerm/.Tasker;end

WebCoRE
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=co.webcore.webcore/.Main;end

Wemo
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.belkin.wemoandroid/com.belkin.activity.MainActivity;end

DEFAULT BASIC APPS 

Calendar (Google)
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.calendar/com.android.calendar.AllInOneActivity;end

Calendar (Samsung)
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.samsung.android.calendar/com.android.calendar.AllInOneActivity;end

Camera
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.sec.android.app.camera/.Camera;end

Contacts (Google)
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.contacts/com.android.contacts.activities.PeopleActivity;end

Contacts (Samsung)
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.samsung.android.contacts/com.android.contacts.activities.PeopleActivity;end

GOOGLE APPS 

Google-Gmail
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.gm/.ConversationListActivityGmail;end

Google-Chrome-Remote-Desktop
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.chromeremotedesktop/org.chromium.chromoting.Chromoting;end

Google-Keep
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.keep/.activities.BrowseActivity;end

Google-Maps 
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.apps.maps/com.google.android.maps.MapsActivity;end

Google-Play 
 (I got this one the same way, but it's not working for me. 
  If you have a different one, please share it here or PM me.)
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.android.vending/.AssetBrowserActivity;end

Google-Play-Movies-&-TV
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.videos/com.google.android.youtube.videos.EntryPoint;end

Google-Play-Music
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.music/com.android.music.activitymanagement.TopLevelActivity;end

Google-Play-News-&-Weather
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.apps.genie.geniewidget/.activities.NewsActivity;end

Google-Sky-Map
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.stardroid/.activities.SplashScreenActivity;end

Google-YouTube
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.youtube/.app.honeycomb.Shell%24HomeActivity;end

OTHER APPS 

Amazon-Prime-Video
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.amazon.avod.thirdpartyclient/.LauncherActivity;end

CNN
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.cnn.mobile.android.phone/.features.splash.SplashActivity;end

DirecTV
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.directv.dvrscheduler/.activity.core.Setup;end

ES-File-Explorer
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.estrongs.android.pop/.app.openscreenad.NewSplashActivity;end

Fing
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.overlook.android.fing/.MainActivity;end

FlightAware
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.flightaware.android.liveFlightTracker/.activities.MainActivity;end

IMDB
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.imdb.mobile/.HomeActivity;end

K-9_Mail
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.fsck.k9/.activity.Accounts;end

Lyft
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=me.lyft.android/.ui.MainActivity;end

MS-Remote-Desktop-Client
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.microsoft.rdc.android/com.microsoft.rdc.ui.activities.HomeActivity;end

MS-Skype
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.skype.raider/.Main;end

Nextdoor
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.nextdoor/.nux.LoadAppConfigurationActivity;end

NPR-News
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=org.npr.android.news/.NewsListActivity;end

NPR-One
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=org.npr.one/.StartActivity;end

Pandora
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.pandora.android/.Main;end

Plex
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.plexapp.android/com.plexapp.plex.activities.SplashActivity;end

Pushbullet
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.pushbullet.android/.ui.LaunchActivity;end

RealVNC
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.realvnc.viewer.android/.app.ConnectionChooserActivity;end

Scanner-Radio
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.scannerradio/.SplashActivity;end

SkEye
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.lavadip.skeye/.SkEye;end

SoundHound
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.melodis.midomiMusicIdentifier.freemium/com.soundhound.android.appcommon.activity.SplashScreenActivity;end

SpeedTest
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=org.zwanoo.android.speedtest/com.ookla.mobile4.screens.main.MainActivity;end

TeamViewer
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.teamviewer.teamviewer.market.mobile/com.teamviewer.remotecontrollib.activity.MainActivity;end

TV-Listings
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=usa.jersey.tvlistings/com.tv24group.android.ui.LaunchActivity;end

Tivo
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.tivophone.android/com.tivo.android.screens.setup.SplashActivity_;end

Uber
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.ubercab/.presidio.app.core.root.RootActivity;end

Ubiquiti-UniFi
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.ubnt.easyunifi/com.ubnt.common.activity.MainActivity;end

Ubiquiti-UniFi-Video
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.ubnt.unifivideo/.activity.WelcomeActivity;end

Weather-Underground
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.wunderground.android.weather/.ui.launcher.WeatherHomeActivity;end

WeatherBug
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.aws.android/.app.ui.HomeActivity;end

Zoom
intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=us.zoom.videomeetings/com.zipow.videobox.LauncherActivity;end

Another slight usability tip for opening apps from Fully.  Be sure to set any App shortcut tiles to "open shortcut in the same window".  

I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but if you tell it to "open in a new window", Fully loads a new Frame, and when you hit back to return AT, it will make it appear to be frozen.  You would then have to press back again to get past this "frame" so that AT actually responds.  

What section is the under in the settings of Fully?

This is under the individual tile settings in actiontiles.  It's actually a new feature that they just added, but very timely.

If you have a Fire Tablet running the FireOS you can't select Enable Single App Mode. Its disabled by Fully. What you can to do get the intents is go to Settings, Application Launcher, Select Items to Show. Add all of the apps that you want to launch from a shortcut. Then click on the pencil icon on the right. This shows you the intent you need. Plug that in along with J.b. Bentz code that is posted above. I have done this with 4 apps and it has worked each time.  Make sure you do it from the tablet and not another device.  The app could be different because the Fire Tablet is running on Android 5+.

To add to what kurt said because this took me a bit to figure out. What shows up with that method for me is this: "com.smartthings.android/com.smartthings.android.main.MainActivity" and I had to remove what was duplicated after the / but keep the / and . so what I end up using is this: "com.smartthings.android/.main.MainActivity"

I followed your instructions cause I was having an issue as well. I wanted to open my Yamaha app. However, it didn’t work. So I uploaded SmartThings on my fire tablet, logged in and tried it with your link and it still says “failed to start another app”. Am I missing a step?

Did you copy the intent code from the tablet you are trying to access the the app from?  Here is what I use for the Yamaha AV Controller app and Smartthings.

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.yamaha.av.avcontroller/com.yamaha.av.avcontroller.phone.activity.DeviceSelectParent;end

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.smartthings.android/.main.MainActivity;end

Does this match what you have?

yes. And it still says “failed to start another app”

What version is the OS on your tablet?  Is the app installed on your tablet?  What is the exact name of the Yamaha app?  Have you tried anything JB Bentz lists below?

Ok guys - struggling to get this to work.  I have a fire tablet,  with fully kiosk,  not in kiosk mode ... been trying everything to get sonos going with help from Rob Konzelman above ... no go.  I just tried the spotify app using the EXACT code cut and past from JB WENTZ above... nothing.  Note I DID going into settings, application launcher, and selected the apps I wanted to show.  AND am launching shortcut from AT in same window.  It just gives a flash when I press the button but does nothing - tried it for sonos,  amazon alexa,  and now spotify - same results. 

2 things to try:

Check to see if pop-ups are enabled in Fully

Or

Change the tile settings in AT to "open in same window"

Yup - already did that - pop-ups enabled,  and tile settings in AT set to open in same window.

Sorry.  I don't have a fire using AT/Fully, to validate. I only you said kiosk mode wasn't on, but did you add the apps to the whitelist?

also... Do you have "open URL schemes in other apps" turned on?

JB - many thanks - that was it!!! Sonos app opens just fine !  Thanks all for the help ... now I want to try some other apps.

Could you share the URL for Sonos? Got Smartthings working but not Sonos. Thanks

UPDATE: Figured it out by editing the URL provided in Fully. For anyone else interested in triggering the Sonos app - intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.sonos.acr/.SonosLaunchActivity;end

Hi,

Wondering if you can help. I also have a fire tablet running Fully Kiosk.

The following settings in Fully Kiosk are on:

• Allow pop ups
• Open URL schemes in other apps

The settings in Action Tiles:

• Created a URL shortcut
• Got the intent from Fully Kiosk
• intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.spotify.music/com.spotify.music.MainActivity;end
• Added this as the link
• Set to open in same window

I have the same issue that you were receiving before where I click the tile, it flashes but nothing happens.

has anyone had tried opening the Alexa app using a browser? I would love to have access to my music queue.

You should be able to open the Alexa app just fine.  Or even Amazon music if that's your thing.  Just follow the steps to get the intent URL.

Amazon Music 

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.amazon.mp3/com.amazon.mp3.library.activity.LaunchActivity;end

I cannot get the Alexa app to work like the others. Anyone else have issues? So far I had no problems with Spotify, HEOS, Canary, and ST.

Post it.  I havent tried to create a shortcut for the Alexa app just Amazon Music.  I have the app on my phone, Echo Dot in the kitchen and Fire 7 with Alexa. 

I can not at this point get the Alexa app to open. I found what i believe to be proper intents and address, but i will not open. 

Post it.  I havent tried to create a shortcut for the Alexa app just Amazon Music.  I have the app on my phone, Echo Dot in the kitchen and Fire 7 with Alexa. 

When I click the Alexa app shortcut, the screen says new frame and then failed to load another app. intent:#intent;launchflags=0x10000000;component=com.amazon.dee.app/.launcher;end

I don't use Alexa, but I downloaded the app to test it and it worked for me.  Did you add the app to the white-list?

The URL I was given by Fully was "intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.amazon.dee.app/.Launcher;end"     (which is nearly identical to yours, except for 3 capital letters)

I'm also not on a Fire tablet.  Maybe there would be a different behavior if you could get the Alexa app from the google play store, and use that one instead.

OMG. I can't believe I did that. I've been racking my brain for two weeks. Apparently I didn't copy the capital letters down correctly in the url. Work perfectly. Thanks

I can't believe that made a difference... But you're welcome.

Interesting, when I copied yours it didnt work for me on my Fire 8.  When I looked in the Fully Launcher it gave me a different intent but it didnt work either.  Your intent prompts the Amazon Photo to launch.  

Its no big deal for me as I dont use the Alexa App on my Fire.  I was just trying to help out.  Glad he has it working now.  

I bought two new tablets 8" amazon fires just like my older one.  When I went into the application launcher- select items to show -it only lets me put a URL in there ... it won't let me pick the apps so I can configure intents etc ... my other tablet works fine with this setting what gives?

I am using a Galaxy 10.1 not a Fire tablet. There seems to be a difference in the intents in the two operating systems. I now have several app that I can launch. They all have the same intents "intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=" and from there I use Fully to find the rest. 

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=  so I have this intent and am wondering how or where I use this to open up the sonos app. do i type sonos in front of the intent? trying to make a shortcut tile to the sonos app for music selection. 

I've used this intent for Sonos: intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.sonos.acr/.SonosLaunchActivity;end

If you're asking where it goes, you put it in the URL field when you create a new shortcut tile in AT.

Has anyone been able to get the Google Play Music app to launch? I have gotten other apps to work but Play Music wants to open with Google Assistant, Call settings, or Network Settings for some reason.

The URL I got from Fully is - com.google.android.music/com.android.music.activitymanagement.TopLevelActivity

It worked for me.  My link was:

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.google.android.music/com.android.music.activitymanagement.TopLevelActivity;end

Mind the Caps...

Not sure what I missed but your link worked for me. Thanks!

Maybe I'm dense but I tried following the instructions for obtaining the link on a Fire Tablet but for the life of me I can't find where in the application settings it shows the launcher.  Has anyone found the link for the Amcrest View application?  I've got Spotify and Google working like a charm thanks to this group!

I have recently switched from a single Samsung tablet to multiple Fire 10 tablets. All of my app shortcuts work but Amazon music. I'm assuming this is because the url is different on an Amazon tablet. Does anyone have a working url for Amazon music on a Fire tablet?

you'd have to run through the same process of identifying the URL on your fire tablet.  I don't have one handy to do it for you...but it should be just as easy as it was on the Samsung tablet.

Can someone give-me the step by step inside the kiosk browser and the actiontiles to make it work? I tried to open spotify with the shortcut tile and I am failing miserably... I am only getting white screen every time. The only thing that worked for me is a real spotify URL but it opens the website and not the app itself

With this: intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.spotify.music/.MainActivity;end only white screen

Do I need to pay the plus version of kiosk browser to make it work? Thanks

@Vinicius Watson

I just tried that URL for Spotify, and it worked. 

Did you try it from within Fully, or some other browser? 
The reason I ask is that, when I try from Chrome, I also get the white page.  

yeah I tried with fully, I am wondering If I need to change any configuration inside fully... I see that there is a LOT of settings there

Do any of the app intent urls work for you?
I posted about 50 or so up above a ways....try some and let us know.

Trying to link the shark ion robot app to open from actiontile shortcut. Any help is appreciated

intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.sharkninja.shark/.onboarding.SplashActivity;end

thanks for your help. Worked perfect

Does anyone here know if this can be done for 'Apps' (and/or Applications) in Windows 10?

The thing with Windows and such, is you can get plug-ins for the browser, so I'm betting there's one for Edge ... or maybe even Chrome / Firefox.

I did a very quick Google and found these articles, but I don't think it is a complete solution:

• https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/launch-resume/launch-default-app
• https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3057576/how-to-launch-an-application-from-a-browser

Arlo: intent:#Intent;launchFlags=0x10000000;component=com.netgear.android/.main.MainActivity;end

The above intent opens the app but forces me to log in every time. Any tips on modifying to open the app bypassing the login? When I click open app from the play store it doesn’t ask me to log in.