Apple released the iOS 9.3 to its mobile users amid much fanfare last week. It brings several new features including updates to CarPlay, Night Shift, News and Health. But a large number of users have flooded the social media and Apple’s Support forum with complaints that a bug in Safari browser causes web links to crash or freeze the app. Many users have also reported being unable to open hyperlinks in Mail, Messages, Notes and other apps.
Apple promises to release a fix soon
Apple has assured users that a fix is coming soon. According to TechCrunch, the bug is related to a feature called universal links that allows users to type a web address and launch the app. These links might be broken, causing devices to crash, said TechCrunch. There are a couple of workarounds that you can use while Apple works to release the bug fix.
https://twitter.com/JarHim/status/714300876840693761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
@AppleSupport please do something! I can not open any link in safari, whatsapp, mail, chrome! IOS 9.3 iphone 6s plus
— Olguita Perez (@olguitaperezag) March 28, 2016
The first method is pretty easy. If your iPhone or iPad is affected by the bug, disable JavaScript to get rid of the bug in Safari app. However, it doesn’t resolve the issue within other apps such as Notes, Mail, and Messages. To disable JavaScript, head over to Settings > Safari > Advanced and then turn off the toggle next to JavaScript.
Fixing iOS 9.3 bug for multiple apps
Alternatively, British mobile specialist Ben Collier has published a slightly complex method to fix the iOS 9.3 bug. Here is Collier’s step by step process to resolve the problematic issue:
- Delete the Booking.com app if you have it installed on your device
- Enable the Airplane Mode
- Connect your iPhone or iPad to your PC or Mac and launch the iTunes desktop app
- Navigate to Settings > Safari, and change your default search engine to Bing
- Disable Safari Suggestions, Search Engine Suggestions, Block Pop-ups, Quick Website Search, and Fraudulent Website Warning
- Disable Content Blockers from the Safari menu. Next, head over to Safari > Advanced and disable JavaScript
- Keep the Airplane Mode turned on and leave the device connected to the computer. Turn your iOS device off and on
- Go to iTunes and install the Booking.com app on your device. Now tap Sync to ensure that the install goes ahead
- Once the Sync is finished, open the Booking.com app while Airplane Mode is still on
- Double tap the Home button and swipe up to force close the Booking.com app
- Force close Safari
- Uninstall the Booking.com app
- Turn off Airplane Mode
- Enable everything you had disabled in Safari Settings
- Now the bug should be fixed not only in Safari but also in other apps like Mail and Messages
