iPhone not opening links to Sharepoint documents

Question

Wonder if anyone else is experiencing this issue with SharePoint links? Users on iOS mobile devices (iPhones & iPad) are reporting they are not able to open document links from SharePoint while using the default iOS browser, Safari. We are very meticulous in always ensuring that each document links' permissions are properly set to "Anyone with the link can view" so that all users can freely use the link to view the documents. Another observation is that those same SharePoint document links DO open properly, without any issue for desktop/laptop users regardless of operating system or web browser. This issue seems very specific to iOS mobile users. This has only become an issue in the last week. Any insight would be good as our organization heavily relies on SharePoint to streamline document sharing and simply asking users to download a SharePoint app is not feasible.

Answer 1

Hi @Kristy P, 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum and for clearly outlining your concern. 

Based on the details you shared that you have set the links to “Anyone with the link can view.” This started within the past week, and I appreciate the careful checks you have already completed. 

This behavior can occur when Safari on iOS blocks the authentication or file handler redirect that SharePoint uses for document links after a recent iOS or Safari update. Differences in mobile cookie settings and cross-site tracking controls can prevent the link from handing off correctly to the Microsoft file viewers. It can also occur when links are opened inside another app that uses an in-app browser rather than Safari. 

If links are not working in the application, you can try opening them through the phone browser:

• Check the link format: Make sure the link is a full URL that starts with https:// and is not shortened or malformed. 
• Open in Safari manually: Copy the link and paste it into Safari to see if it opens outside of the app. 
• Clear Safari cache: Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. 
• Try the OneDrive app: If the link points to a document, the OneDrive app may handle it better. 

You can manage account settings and troubleshoot sign-in issues in the SharePoint app by following this guide. 

Furthermore, based on my research, many iOS users are encountering the same issue where SharePoint document links do not open, and this behavior aligns with a known pattern in iOS 18.5. My colleague can't access SharePoint on i… - Apple Community 

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Alternatively, as a forum moderator, I hope you understand that I don’t have the ability to modify or escalate product issues directly. However, I strongly recommend submitting your feedback through the SharePoint · Community. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for how company-only contacts are handled in search results, with potential improvements being considered for future improvements.     

You've clearly identified a real-world challenge, and your suggestion reflects a deep understanding of user needs - feedback like yours is truly valuable and helps shape the future of Microsoft team.  

Once you’ve submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here. I’d be happy to upvote it to help increase its visibility.         

Additionally, as other users have raised similar concerns and may not be aware of where to share their feedback, I hope this response helps clarify the situation and suggests a potential next step. Highlighting this information can make it more visible to others in the community who may be facing the same issue, making it easier for them to find guidance and contribute their feedback as well.  

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  

Wishing you a smooth rest of your day. 

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