This document discusses app-to-app communication on Windows using URI associations. It provides examples of launching built-in apps like Settings, Email, and Maps using their associated URI schemes. It also demonstrates launching third-party apps like Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp if they are installed using their custom URI schemes. The document includes code samples for launching files, sending messages via WhatsApp, and initiating a Skype chat via URI.

1. APP-TO-APP COMMUNICATION
Prepared by
ENG SOON CHEAH
Microsoft MVP

2. Custom URI Associations
– Play an album on Spotify
– Play a video in YouTube
– Post an update to Facebook
– Launch device settings
– Browser
– Messaging
– EmailLauncher.LaunchUriAsync(new Uri("myapp:foo=1&bar=2"));

3. Useful Built-in URI Associations
Task URI Scheme
Lock screen settings ms-settings-lock:
Email and accounts ms-settings-emailandaccounts:
Location settings ms-settings-location:
Search for apps by publisher zune:search?publisher=<publisherID>

4. File Type Associations
– Microsoft Office
– Adobe Reader
– Browser
– Email
– Office Hub
var pdfFile =
await StorageFile.GetFileFromApplicationUriAsync(new Uri("ms-appdata:///Local/mydoc.pdf"));
Launcher.LaunchFileAsync(pdfFile);

5. Using URI Associations to Extend Your
App
Spotify
YouTube

6. Using URI Associations to Extend Your
App Facebook
Foursquare

7. Using URI Associations to Extend Your
App Here Drive (+others)
Here Maps (+others)

8. Demo Code (whatapp)
try
{
await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(new Uri(“whatsapp:"));
}
catch
{
MessageDialog dialog = new MessageDialog(" please install whatsapp from the app store ", " AppMissing ");
await dialog.ShowAsync();
}
11/17/2015

9. Send message via whatsapp
"whatsapp://send?text=Hello%2C%20World!"
11/17/2015

10. Launch Skype from your apps
Skype supports the following protocols
■ skype
■ tel
■ sms
■ message-skype-com
■ message-messenger
■ audiocall-messenger
■ videocall-messenger
■ audiocall-skype-com
■ videocall-skype-com
11/17/2015

11. Demo (Skype)
var chatTo = new Uri("message-skype-com:" + UserNameTextBox.Text);
await Windows.System.Launcher.LaunchUriAsync(chatTo);
11/17/2015