Figma links always open in browser, not desktop app

This randomly started happening for me (Mac, Firefox) and nothing I tried fixed it.

I ended up installing this Firefox extension which solved the problem for me.

I am using Velja: ‎Velja on the Mac App Store to work around this issue

I tried everything. Finally this helped, thanks!

@dvaliao I have tried all of the three suggestion mentioned above: logging out and back in, clearing your desktop app’s cache, un-installing and re-installing the desktop app and I still can’t see the option to open links in the app in the preferences menu. Please advice me on how to proceed

When I tried to clear the cache the app didn’t respond and I couldn’t use it. I waited approx 10 minutes and then I force quit it, so not sure if that step actually completed the cache clearance or not

Hi all, does this “solution” on the top worked for someone? I tried it and I doesn´t change anything although after new login via browser and enabling in the dialog “alow Figma links always oppen in app”. Any ideas? (using Brave)

hi, I had the same issue with clearing cache …

I have the same issue. macOS 13.5.1, Firefox 116.0.3, Figma 116.12.2. Clearing the desktop app cache didn’t do anything for me, neither did reinstalling the app, or clearing the browser cache.

I fixed it by disabling uBlock Origin on figma.com. Huh. You might wanna look into that.

This is the solution – thanks!

Found a fix, working for me now.
I use Brave browser which has heavy shields and tracking blocking features (other browsers like chrome, safari also have similar blockers).

1. I disabled the trackers and blockers for the Figma website. (Present beside the URL bar for each website when opened)
2. Reloaded the web page and I got the Open in Desktop App option
3. Non-mandatory step: re-install the desktop app post steps 1 and 2.
   
   

Soham, this is the solution - simply brilliant.

It seems it’s not Figma… it’s how the browser handles/blocks links.

On a side note, this also means that I can go back to Brave as my default browser.

It seems it’s not Figma… it’s how the browser and any extensions handle/block links.

Thanks for your comment! Logged into my account in browser and the link was automatically opened in Figma app in less than 1 min 🎉 🎉 🎉

None of this worked for me and I try to prevent sites and apps from tracking me as much as possible. I wrote a simple bookmarklet to open links in the Figma app.

To use this, make a bookmark in your browser for any site—I’d suggest having it as whatever your browser considers a Favorite so it’s easily accessible. Go and edit the link and paste in the following javascript:

javascript:(function() {
  var oldUrl = window.location.href;
  var newUrl = oldUrl.replace(/^https:\/\/www\.figma\.com\//, 'figma://');
  window.location.href = newUrl;
})();

This works on macOS Sonoma. I have no clue how Windows works, but perhaps this works here too.

This absolutely worked for me and has now fixed it when I have Chrome or other browsers open!!!

Having this issue in Safari. It just won’t detect the Figma app. It’s a fresh login and app install.

Seems to be a tracking issue. Chrome seems to work.

Yes with Safari if Disable trackers and for website with still won’t work. I tried with Brave Browsers and it worked but I prefer use safari

Hello. This issue is not resolving for me. I’ve tried everything mentioned in this thread - but Safari is just not cooperating.
Any recent updates or ideas???

This seems to be a new issue in Safari for me. I’ve tried disabling the trackers, but no luck. Worse than not opening in the app by default, instead of the “Open in app” option I get in other browsers, Safari only shows the “Get app” option, which triggers a download for the Figma app. Essentially there is currently no way for me to open a link in the Figma app that doesn’t involve a second browser other than Safari. Pretty annoying!

This helps

with safari duplicate a bookmark and change name to open in Figma and change address according this post: Figma links always open in browser, not desktop app - #66 by Kevan_Loy

The problem is iCloud+ Private Relay. It’s blocking tracking

Would be great to have an actual fix for this with Safari. Compromising security for the entire browser isn’t really a suitable workaround, in my opinion.

Alright I figured this out! it is because of private relay being turned on with the new update

Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPhone - Apple Support.

You need to turn it off and then restart your computer and you will be golden!!

My headache is now resolved 😅

You need to go turn off your private relay, I just figured this out and it fixed my problems Protect your web browsing with iCloud Private Relay on iPhone - Apple Support.