Android refuses to launch Google Play links from JavaScript in web applications

My HTML app is wrapped in Phonegap and available on the Android store.

I want to include a link within the app for users to update it if a new version is available.

From what I've gathered from documentation and some Stack Overflow posts, the following code should open the store:

Update App

However, I need to trigger this link using JavaScript. I've attempted both window.open and window.location.href but they only open the browser and display a URL not found error with a URL starting with http://market://details...

Does anyone know why this happens or how I can directly link to the store instead of the Play website?

---------------UPDATE -------------------

I'm specifically looking to open the native Play Store, not just any browser-based version. It's been done before as smartbanner manages to do so successfully. More information can be found here:

Despite knowing that it's possible, I haven't been able to replicate this functionality. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

javascriptandroidhyperlinkgoogle-play

Answer №1

It turns out that phonegap has a unique way of handling window.open, by checking the protocol used. When using '_blank' in phonegap, it doesn't actually open a new browser window, but rather opens a browser window owned by phonegap itself, restricted to only http or https protocols (presumably).

If you want to open a link in the system browser, you need to use 

window.open("market://details?=com.your.app","_system");

This will direct the request outside of phonegap and open the link in the native browser, which will correctly redirect to the native app store.

Answer №2

Person target="_top"

 <a href="market://details?id={package_name}" target="_top">Application</a>

Answer №3

According to information provided by Google here

To direct users to a specific app's product details page, follow the format below. This page will showcase the app description, screenshots, reviews, and more, allowing users to easily install it.

In order to generate the link, you must have knowledge of the app's fully qualified package name as stated in the app's manifest file. The package name can also be found in the Developer Console.

For a website: (these links will prompt a dialog for choosing between browser or market)

http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=<package_name>

For an Android app:

market://details?id=<package_name>

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