# How to Add Web Clips to iOS with Hexnode UEM **Web Clips** allow IT administrators to add shortcuts for frequently used web pages directly to the home screens of managed iOS devices. Within the Hexnode UEM console, these shortcuts can be added and managed as app icons, providing users with instant access to specific web content without having to manually open a browser and provide the URL. This guide explains how to populate the app inventory with a Web Clip, distribute it via policy, and utilize advanced URL protocols for a seamless user experience. Key Benefits of Web Clips ------------------------- - **Instant Access:** Users can launch critical web portals or resources directly from their home screen. - **Native Experience:** Web Clips can be configured to open in full-screen mode, removing browser navigation bars to look and feel like native applications. - **Custom Branding:** Supports custom icons to represent the web links. Requirements and Availability ----------------------------- - **Hexnode UEM Plans:** Available in Pro, Enterprise, Ultimate, and Ultra editions. - **Browser Support:** Safari (default), Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox. - **Dock Support:** On iOS devices running 11.3 and later, administrators can add Web Clips to the device dock via the [Home Screen Layout](https://www.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/how-to-customize-home-screen-layout-for-ios-devices-using-hexnode-mdm/) policy. Phase 1: Upload the Web Clip to the Hexnode UEM App Inventory ------------------------------------------------------------- Before deploying a Web Clip to devices, you must first add it as a **Web App** within the Hexnode UEM App Repository. 1. Navigate to the **Apps** tab in the Hexnode UEM portal. 2. Select **+Add Apps** > **Web App**. 3. Provide the following configuration parameters: - **Name:** The name to be displayed under the app icon on the iOS device. - **URL:** The web address that the shortcut will point to (see ***Special Configuration Cases*** for advanced URL formats). - **Icon:** Upload an image to represent the Web Clip on the home screen. - **Category:** Assign a category to organize the clip within your app inventory. 4. Click **Add**. The Web Clip is now successfully added to the Hexnode UEM App Repository. [![Screenshot of the Hexnode UEM 'Add Web App' configuration window for adding a Web Clip through Hexnode UEM.](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Adding-a-Web-Clip-to-Hexnode-UEM-App-Repository-scaled.png)](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Adding-a-Web-Clip-to-Hexnode-UEM-App-Repository-scaled.png "Adding a Web Clip to Hexnode UEM App Repository") Phase 2: Deploy Web Clips to iOS Devices ---------------------------------------- Once the Web Clip is in the Hexnode UEM app repository, use a **custom policy** to deploy it to the target devices. 1. **Navigation Path:** Policies > New Policy > Create a fully custom policy 2. **Policy Identity:** Provide a **Policy Name** and an optional description. **Note:** You can also configure Web Clips on an existing policy by navigating to **Policies** > Click on the **policy name** > **Manage** > **Modify**. 3. **Configure Web Clips:** **iOS** > **App Management** > **Web Clips** > click **Configure**. 4. Click **+Add Webclip**. 5. Search for the previously created Web clip and click **Select.** 6. Click **Done**. 7. **Configure Web Clip Settings**: These are checkboxes that are displayed once a web clip is added to the policy. - **Precomposed icon**: Tick this checkbox to prevent iOS from adding a visual “shine” effect to the icon. - **Removable**: If unchecked, the user cannot delete the Web Clip from the device (requires Supervised mode). - **Full Screen**: If checked, the URL opens in full screen, effectively without displaying any browser search bars or bookmarks. 8. **Targeting**: Navigate to the **Policy Targets** tab > **+Add Devices** > **Select your devices** > Click **OK**. (You can also associate the policy with Users, User Groups, Device Groups, or Domains). 9. **Finalise**: Click **Save**. [![“Screenshot](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Add-Web-Clips-to-iOS-with-Hexnode-UEM-Policy-Configuration-scaled.png)](https://cdn.hexnode.com/mobile-device-management/help/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Add-Web-Clips-to-iOS-with-Hexnode-UEM-Policy-Configuration-scaled.png "“Add") Device-End Behavior ------------------- Once the policy is successfully associated with the device: - **Installation**: The Web Clip icon appears automatically on the device home screen. - **Launching**: When a user taps the icon, the saved website or resource opens in the Safari browser. - **Icon Retention**: In some cases, the custom icon uploaded to Hexnode UEM may be replaced by the website’s native favicon after the first launch. - **Solution**: To ensure the custom icon is retained, enable the Full Screen option in the associated policy settings. Special Configuration Cases --------------------------- Hexnode UEM supports various URL protocols to trigger specific actions or open content in alternative browsers. Use the table below to identify the correct URL structure for your specific use case when adding a **Web Clip** to the Hexnode UEM App inventory. Shortcut TypeURL Prefix/FormatExample URLResult on DeviceGoogle Chromegooglechrome:// or googlechromes://googlechromes://www.hexnode.com/ Opens the link specifically in the Chrome browser.Mozilla Firefoxfirefox://open-url?url=firefox://open-url?url=https://www.hexnode.com/Opens the link specifically in the Firefox browser.PDFs & VideosDirect HTTPS link to filehttps://example.com/manual.pdfOpens the hosted file directly in your default browser.Email (Compose)mailto:mailto:support@hexnode.comOpens the Mail app with the “To” field pre-filled.Phone Calltel://tel://1-415-636-7555Prompts the user to initiate a call to the number via Safari.SMS/Textsms://sms://1-415-636-7555Opens the Messages app with a new message to the contact.Apple Mapshttp://maps.apple.com/?http://maps.apple.com/?q=CupertinoOpens the specific location or search in the Maps app.YouTubeRegular HTTPS linkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-vn5UfVh3YOpens in Safari; prompts to open in YouTube app if installed.iTunes MusicCreate the link using iTunes Link Maker serviceshttps://music.apple.com/K87LYdhY56hxOpens the specific music file in the Music app/store.FaceTimefacetime://facetimeidfacetime://user@example.comAutomatically initiates a FaceTime call to the specified ID.FTP Sitesftp://< serverURL>ftp://server.example.comConnects to the specified FTP server address.Apple Booksibooks://assetid/IDibooks://assetid/1446266036Opens a specific book from the user’s iBooks library.iCloud Documentsshareddocuments://shareddocuments://[document_url]Opens the shared document directly within the Files app.App Store Linkitms-apps://itms-apps://itunes.apple.com/app/id1105383443Redirects the user directly to the app’s page in the App Store.Important Implementation Notes ------------------------------ - **Mail Requirements:** For `mailto:` Web Clips, the user must be signed into the native iOS Mail app. If not signed in, they will be prompted to do so upon opening the Web Clip. - **Navigation Path:** To configure Web Clips, go to the **Apps** tab, select **+Add Apps** > **Web App**, and enter the corresponding custom prefix format from the table above directly into the **URL** field. - **Visual Confirmation:** Ensure you upload a custom icon for these special use cases so end-users can easily distinguish between a “Call Support” button and a “Manual PDF” link on their home screen.