Knowledge Base
Why In-App Browsers Break AR Experiences
When you tap a link inside Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, Line, or similar apps, the link opens inside that app's own built-in browser instead of your phone's real browser.
Key Points
- Look for a menu icon (three dots, a share icon, or a compass/browser icon) in the in-app browser's bar
- Tap "Open in Safari" (iPhone) or "Open in Chrome" (Android)
- The full browser will open with the same link, and the experience should work normally
- Long-press (tap and hold) the link in the app
- Choose "Copy Link"
- Open Safari or Chrome manually
- Paste the link into the address bar
Helpful Notes
- Block camera access - the most common issue. AR needs your camera, and in-app browsers usually don't allow it.
- Don't support motion sensors - needed for AR tracking on iPhone
- Can't handle advanced 3D graphics - the rendering features may be limited or missing
- Interfere with the experience - some inject their own code that conflicts with the site
- You opened the link from inside a social media or messaging app
- The browser bar at the top looks different from your usual browser
- You see the app's name or logo in the browser bar
- Facebook / Messenger
- Twitter / X
- Snapchat
- TikTok
- Line
- Telegram
- Email apps
- SMS/Messages (sometimes)
- If you can't find the "Open in..." option:
- This affects links opened from virtually any app that isn't a web browser, including: