Preview: These docs are available early so you can start using them now. Some pages may still be incomplete, outdated, or change as WebLibre develops.

Custom Tabs & External Links

WebLibre can sit in the middle of several Android link flows:

  • another app sends a link into WebLibre

  • a link inside WebLibre could open a native app instead

  • WebLibre is used as a lightweight browser overlay

These are related, but they are not the same setting.

Intent Gatekeeper

Before External Link Handling even runs, the Intent Gatekeeper decides whether the source app is allowed to push the link into WebLibre at all.

When a new app sends a link, WebLibre asks whether to Allow once, Always allow, or Block it. You can manage saved decisions per app from Settings > Privacy & Security > Intent Gatekeeper, and respond to blocked-link notifications without opening the browser.

For the full feature, see Intent Gatekeeper.

Links Sent To WebLibre

When another Android app sends a link to WebLibre, External Link Handling decides how that link opens.

You can set it in Settings > Browsing > External Link Handling.

The choices are:

  • Prompt — ask each time

  • Regular — always open in a regular tab

  • Private — always open in a private tab

This is useful for links that come from messaging apps, email apps, social apps, or Android share targets.

When another app shares text or a URL into WebLibre (for example via the Android share sheet, or a PROCESS_TEXT selection action from another app), the same routing logic applies. Shared text and URLs go through your External Link Handling preference and can open in the right container or as a custom tab when appropriate.

Links That Could Open Another App

Some links inside WebLibre match apps already installed on your device, such as maps, video apps, shopping apps, or social apps.

The Open Links in Apps setting controls that behavior.

Find it in Settings > Browsing > Open Links in Apps.

The choices are:

  • Always — open the matching app without asking

  • Ask before opening — show a prompt first

  • Never — stay inside WebLibre

Choose Never if you want WebLibre to stay in control. Choose Always if you usually prefer the dedicated app.

Open in App

WebLibre also exposes Open in App as a top-level item in the browser menu, and as an action in places such as:

  • context menus on links

  • the open-link sheet for shared or detected links

  • sharing or page actions when relevant

This is useful when your default preference is to stay in WebLibre, but a specific link makes more sense in its native app.

Open in Custom Tab

In current WebLibre builds, shared or externally opened links can also offer Open in custom tab.

A custom tab is a lighter browser window meant for short visits. It is useful when you want to:

  • check one page without fully moving into your main tab workflow

  • keep the visit feeling tied to the app that launched it

  • return quickly after reading or confirming something

WebLibre can also offer a private variant of that custom-tab flow where supported.

When WebLibre Is Used as a Lightweight Browser

Some Android apps can open links in WebLibre as a custom-tab style overlay instead of sending you to the full browser experience.

In practice, that usually means:

  • a simpler browser surface

  • a close button to return to the calling app

  • less context switching than opening a full browser session

This is useful for one-off reads, sign-in confirmations, or checking a page without leaving the original app for long.

Which Setting Matters When

Use this rule of thumb:

  • Intent Gatekeeper — controls whether another app is allowed to send a link into WebLibre at all

  • External Link Handling — a link is coming into WebLibre from another app and was already allowed in; decide which tab type to use

  • Open Links in Apps — a link inside WebLibre might leave the browser for another app

  • Open in App — one-time manual action for a specific link

  • Open in custom tab — one-time action for a lighter browser window

Practical Examples

"I tap a link in a messenger app and want WebLibre to ask me each time"

Use Settings > Browsing > External Link Handling > Prompt.

"I want map links to keep opening in the browser instead of the Maps app"

Use Settings > Browsing > Open Links in Apps > Never.

"I usually stay in WebLibre, but this one video should open in the video app"

Use Open in App for that specific link.

"I only need a temporary browser window and want to return quickly"

Use Open in custom tab when WebLibre offers it.

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