AppleScript app is not recognized as default browser

applescriptcatalinadefaults

Target OS: Macos 10.15.3 Catalina

Goal: use apple script bundled to app as a default web browser

To debug I'm using very simple apple script, that just show passed url in dialog

on open location theURL
    display dialog "Passed url : " & theURL
end open location

I also added CFBundleURLTypes to Info.plist to claim binding to http\https url schemas

    <key>CFBundleURLTypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>CFBundleURLName</key>
            <string>My test app url</string>
            <key>CFBundleURLSchemes</key>
            <array>
                <string>http</string>
                <string>https</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>

The problem: is that app is not showing up in 'Default web browser' combobox in System Preferences -> General

I've tried to dump Launch Service database
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -dump

And my app is present there.

Also tried force register
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -v -f ./MyTestApp.app

Also tried to sign my app by self issued signature.

Nothing helped.

What could I miss? Is there any additional configurations that should be done to let macos recognize my apple scrip app as possible default browser?

Best Answer

I do not think that you can build a browser like that, but I do know that there is a very simple browser out that which will take whatever URL it is sent and pass it to the clipboard:

https://github.com/alistairmcmillan/short/tree/master/Copy%20URL%20to%20Clipboard

Perhaps that might help.

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