tel: URL scheme has partial support Browser Compatibility Check

Description

The tel: URL scheme is not supported by some desktop browsers and tablets.

Help

On desktops, laptops and devices without a mobile SIM or Skype an error message is usually displayed:

  • Chrome on Windows 7 does nothing when the link is clicked
  • Firefox on Windows 7 displays the message 'The address wasn't understood'
  • IE11 on Windows 7 displays the message 'The webpage cannot be displayed'
  • Chrome on Windows 10 shows a 'Pick an app' window when the link is clicked
  • Edge on Windows 10 prompts you use Skype or search for an app in the Windows Store
  • Firefox on Windows 10 shows a 'Pick an app' window when the link is clicked
  • IE11 on Windows 10 prompts you use Skype or search for an app in the Windows Store
  • Chrome on macOS 10.13 launches FaceTime which cannot make phone calls unless it's paired to an iPhone
  • Firefox on macOS 10.13 launches FaceTime which cannot make phone calls unless it's paired to an iPhone
  • Safari on macOS 10.13 launches FaceTime which cannot make phone calls unless it's paired to an iPhone
  • Safari on iPad with iOS 10.2 gives an option of adding a contact or sending a message
  • Chrome on Android shows a 'Add to Contacts' window when the link is clicked

Applicable standards

Change history

  • 5.37 May 2020 No longer fires since Windows 7 has reached end-of-life.
  • 5.10 Oct 2015 Now fires for Edge.
  • 5.1 Jan 2013 Added.

This page describes a web site issue detected in HTML documents by SortSite Desktop and OnDemand Suite.

Rule ID: BugTelProtocol