How to open a Zoom link in a non-browser app without being prompted

linkssafari

URLs have long been the domain of web browsers, but some apps challenge this assumption by asking your browser to open a link in their dedicated app.

Problem: Safari Keeps Asking Permission

For example, I use Zoom.us, a videoconferencing service. They give me a link associated with my conference call that's easy to throw into a calendar invite, like https://ibm.zoom.us/j/9747900418. When I click the link, my browser opens it, authenticates me, and asks me permission to open the link in Zoom.us.app, which I've already installed.

Dialog asking to open a page in zoom.us

After opening hundred of meetings this way, I'm sick of it asking me permission. I want Safari to remember that it's allowed to open zoom.us/* links in Zoom.us.app.

What I've Tried

Under Safari > Preferences > Websites, I escalated privileges for Zoom-related items:

  • General > Auto-Play > ibm.zoom.us was "Stop media with sound"; set to "Allow Auto-Play"
  • Plug-ins > Zoom Launcher 3.0.1 > ibm.zoom.us was "Ask"; set to "On"
  • Plug-ins > Zoom Launcher 3.0.1 > support.zoom.us was "Ask"; set to "On"

This had no effect. So how can I get Zoom links to open correctly?

Best Answer

Have you tried rewriting the URL so that it uses the zoommtg:// protocol?

You rewrite a URL of this format ...

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/123456789?pwd=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

... like this:

zoommtg://zoom.us/join?confno=123456789&pwd=xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

If you have the Zoom app/client installed on a Mac, using URLs with the zoommtg protocol should cause them to open directly in the Zoom app, no matter where the URL is clicked from. Personally, I use this URL format in the Notes field of Calendar events, and it works great.

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