Why the message “This website will share information with an app outside of private browsing” appears
When you click a phone button, a phone number, or a link that opens apps such as WhatsApp or Viber, you may see the following message in your browser:
“This website will share information with an app outside of private browsing.”
For many users, this message can be confusing and may look like a warning or a security issue. In reality, it is a standard informational message from the browser and does not indicate a problem with the website.
When this message appears
This message usually appears when a click on a website tries to:
- start a phone call using a
tel:link - open WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger, or a similar app
- switch the user from the browser to another installed application
This behavior is not limited to iPhones or Safari. It can also appear on Android devices, including Google Chrome.
What is actually happening in the background
When you click a “Call” or “Contact via WhatsApp” button, the browser is asked to:
- leave the web environment
- pass a small piece of information to another app (usually just a phone number or chat identifier)
- open that app on your device
The browser then shows this message to inform you that:
- you are moving from the browser to another app
- the shared data will not be stored in the browser history
- the interaction continues outside the website
This is not an error. It is part of modern privacy and transparency mechanisms.
Why browsers show this message
Modern browsers such as Safari and Chrome follow strict rules regarding:
- user privacy
- transparency of redirects
- control over opening external applications
Because of this, browsers must clearly inform users whenever a website attempts to open an app that exists outside the browser environment. The browser is not judging the website; it is simply explaining what will happen after the click.
Is this a security issue
No.
If the button or link leads to a legitimate action such as:
- making a phone call
- opening WhatsApp or Viber
- starting a standard communication flow
there is no security risk involved. The message does not mean the website is collecting or storing data. It only means that information is being passed to another app on your device.
Does this affect SEO or website performance
No.
Links such as tel: or wa.me are completely valid and widely used. Google does not treat them as problematic, and they have no negative impact on SEO or search rankings.
The only potential downside is user confusion if someone sees this message for the first time. In practice, most users quickly recognize it as a system notification.
Can this message be removed
No.
This message:
- does not come from the website
- cannot be removed using JavaScript, CSS, or WordPress plugins
- is generated directly by the browser or operating system
What website owners can do is:
- clearly label call and contact buttons
- use standard and correct links
- explain this behavior to users if needed