AR Quicklook (USDZ) not working in third-party browsers like LinkedIn and Facebook

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Created Dec ’20

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URL's in LinkedIn / Facebook posts are opened in a LinkedIn / Facebook browser. I am experiencing issues with AR-content on iPhones (AR QuickLook, usdz). Somehow the AR content doesn't work on iPhones if viewed in this kind of webbrowsers. On Android devices (Scene-viewer, GLTF/GLB) it works properly.

The AR-logo in the top right corner of the image doesn't show up on iPhones on Android devices it does. Is there a way to get this working in third-party webbrowsers like LinkedIn and Facebook?

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milesgreen OP

Jun ’21

Experiencing the same issue. From my exploration it appears that if an app developer uses the SFSafariViewController component as a means to display online content, then it works, as this is essentially like embedding a Safari tab into your app. SFSafariViewController is the preferred method for opening arbitrary / third-party online content, as it provides a full web browsing experience. I believe Twitter is using SFSafariViewController as AR QuickLook works within their app.

Other app developers have opted to use the WKWebView component to display third-party online content. As far as I can see, WKWebView does not natively support QuickLook. But it may be possible for developers to build AR QuickLook support on top of WKWebView... maybe?

WKWebView is really intended for including your own first-party online content that integrates tightly into your hybrid app. But it looks like some developers (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc) choose to use WKWebView when linking out to third-party online content, as it allows them greater control / insight over that experience.

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