Bug between Android Edge, Android System WebView, and login to apps like McAfee and Ticketmaster

[S_Fanning]

McAfee tech support refused to help and so I'm going to Microsoft. I hope I'm in the right place.

• I have the latest Google Play Store updates for all my apps.
• I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, SM-G990U2 with latest Android OS (One UI v5.1, Android v13)
• MS Edge is my default web browser
• When I try to login to both McAfee and Ticketmaster Android apps, I get a pop message to either use MS Edge or open external app. If I select MS Edge, the login just spins forever. If I select external app, the logins work normally. The odd thing is that in both instances I appear to be using Edge via Android System WebView since I can "open in Edge" via the options.
• I can login just fine directly via Edge, but not via the apps (which use Android System WebView).

The issue appears to be some sort of interaction between the app using Android System WebView and Edge when the user selects the "stay in Edge" option.

[#2]

@S_Fanning

I understand that you're experiencing difficulties logging in to the McAfee and Ticketmaster Android apps when using Microsoft Edge as your default web browser. I'll be glad to assist you with some practical solutions.

Firstly, it's important to note that while Microsoft Edge is a capable browser, some apps may have specific compatibility requirements or configurations. Let's try a few troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Clear Microsoft Edge cache: Start by clearing the cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Open Microsoft Edge on your Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
b. Tap the three-dot menu button in the lower-right corner.
c. Go to "Settings" and select "Privacy."
d. Tap on "Clear browsing data" and make sure "Cookies and site data" and "Cached images and files" are selected.
e. Tap "Clear" to remove the cache and cookies.

2. Reset Android System WebView: Android System WebView is responsible for rendering web content within apps. Resetting it can help resolve any conflicts. To reset Android System WebView, follow these steps:
a. Open the "Settings" app on your Samsung device.
b. Scroll down and select "Apps" or "Applications."
c. Locate and tap on "Android System WebView" from the list of installed apps.
d. Select "Storage & cache."
e. Tap "Clear storage" or "Clear data," then confirm the action.

3. Update Microsoft Edge: Ensure that you have the latest version of Microsoft Edge installed on your device. Open the Google Play Store, search for "Microsoft Edge," and check if an update is available. If an update is found, tap "Update" to install it.

4. Reinstall the problematic apps: If the previous steps didn't resolve the issue, try uninstalling and reinstalling the McAfee and Ticketmaster apps from the Google Play Store. This can help ensure you have the latest versions and resolve any app-specific conflicts.

5. Reach out to app developers: If the issue persists, it may be worth contacting the app developers directly. They can provide further insight into the compatibility between their apps and Microsoft Edge and offer specific troubleshooting steps or updates.

Please give these steps a try and let me know if they resolve the problem. If not, provide any additional information or error messages you encounter, and I'll be happy to assist you further.

Best regards,
familieslife1

[#3]

@S_Fanning 

1. Clear app cache and data: Start by clearing the cache and data of both the McAfee and Ticketmaster apps. This action can often resolve various app-related issues. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage > Clear cache/Clear data. Please note that clearing data will remove any app-specific settings or login information, so you may need to sign in again.

2. Update Android System WebView: Android System WebView is an essential component for rendering web content within apps. Make sure you have the latest version installed on your device. You can check for updates by going to the Google Play Store, searching for "Android System WebView," and updating it if an update is available.

3. Update Microsoft Edge: Ensure that you have the latest version of Microsoft Edge installed on your device. Open the Google Play Store, search for "Microsoft Edge," and update the app if necessary.

4. Disable and re-enable WebView: Try disabling the Android System WebView and then re-enabling it. This action can help refresh the WebView component and resolve any underlying issues. To do this, go to Settings > Apps > [Three-dot menu/More options] > Show system apps > Android System WebView > Disable. After disabling, repeat the steps but choose Enable instead.

5. Reinstall the problematic apps: If the issue persists, try uninstalling both the McAfee and Ticketmaster apps and then reinstalling them from the Google Play Store. This process can eliminate any corrupted files that might be causing the login problem.

6. Contact app developers: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it's recommended to reach out to the customer support of both McAfee and Ticketmaster. They may have specific insights or updates regarding this compatibility issue between their apps and Android System WebView or Microsoft Edge.

Remember, it's always a good idea to keep your device's software, including the operating system and apps, up to date. Additionally, staying in touch with the app developers' support channels will provide you with the most accurate and timely assistance for app-specific issues.

[#4]

@familieslife1 Thanks very much for the thorough reply!

I already tried steps 1-3, 5 with McAfee support (and they punted to Microsoft when those steps didn't solve the problem). I also uninstalled and reinstalled WebView.

I repeated these steps today exactly as you described. There were no updates in PlayStore to either Edge or WebView. I re-cleared the app data (this time clearing cache and then data as opposed to directly clearing data). With McAfee tech support, I think I force stopped WebView (since you cannot uninstall). This time I disabled and then force stopped per your instructions. I re-reinstalled the two apps. This time when I signed into McAfee via Edge WebView, it worked as expected. However, when I signed into Ticketmaster, I got the "stay in Microsoft Edge" or "open external app" question (I suspect McAfee didn't ask because I told it to remember my choice of "open external app"). If I "stay in Microsoft Edge", I get the processing bar forever. If I "open external app", it works. I'm not sure how to clear that choice for McAfee since I already cleared cache/data and un/reinstalled, but I suspect it would behave the same since that's what it did before. So, there is some issue between these apps, WebView, and Edge when one selects "stay in Microsoft Edge" which is weird because even when you "open external app" you are using Edge via WebView. Any thoughts?

[#5]

@familieslife1 Hi, thanks for the further ideas. Note that I'd already done steps 1-5 both with you and with McAfee tech support prior, but I repeated them per your latest note today (I also cleared cache for all time in step 1...that's an important distinction that I recommend you include in your instructions). Note that I told McAfee tech support exactly what you state in step 5:  "They can provide further insight into the compatibility between their apps and Microsoft Edge and offer specific troubleshooting steps or updates.". They refused in a sign of poor customer service.

No changes as expected since I'd already done these steps. McAfee still logged in fine because it is automatically using the "open external app" option for Edge via WebView. Ticketmaster still will not login if I select the "stay in Microsoft Edge" option for Edge via WebView. Ticketmaster still logged in fine if I select the "open external app" option for Edge via WebView. Both apps work just fine for logging in when using latest Chrome via WebView (e.g., I changed my default web browser from Edge to Chrome, signed out of Ticketmaster app, and re-signed in...I did not get the option to "stay in Google Chrome" or "open external app" and the login proceeded successfully). So, this is an issue with Android Edge with WebView and apps that use WebView, like McAfee and Ticketmaster, to login, and only if the user selects the "stay in Microsoft Edge" option, which is a logical user choice.

Is there any way to escalate this issue to the Microsoft app team? I am a professional web/app developer and at this point we've done all the simple "just reboot" kinds of things. We need to move on to actually looking at error logs and code, but I cannot figure out how to escalate to Microsoft development team (and McAfee tech support refused to look into it beyond blaming Edge).

[#6]

I apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced and appreciate your patience in trying the suggested steps. It's unfortunate that the issue persists despite our efforts.
Regarding escalating the issue to the Microsoft development team, the best course of action would be to provide feedback directly to the Microsoft Edge team. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open Microsoft Edge on your Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
2. Tap the three-dot menu button in the lower-right corner.
3. Go to "Settings" and scroll down to find the "Help and feedback" section.
4. Tap on "Send feedback" or "Report an issue."
5. Provide a detailed description of the problem you're facing, mentioning that the issue occurs specifically when using WebView with the Ticketmaster app and selecting the "stay in Microsoft Edge" option.
6. Include any relevant information such as device details, Android OS version, and steps to reproduce the issue.
7. Submit the feedback and wait for a response from the Microsoft Edge team.

By providing feedback through the official channels, you can ensure that the information reaches the appropriate team for investigation and resolution.
In the meantime, I recommend reaching out to the Ticketmaster app developers as well, explaining the situation and the specific behavior you're encountering. They may be able to provide further insights or offer specific troubleshooting steps or updates related to their app's compatibility with Microsoft Edge WebView.
I understand that you're a professional web/app developer, and it's frustrating when support options seem limited. Exploring these avenues for feedback and contacting the respective app developers are the best ways to communicate your concerns to the relevant teams who can further investigate and address the issue.
If there's anything else I can assist you with or if you have further questions, please let me know.

[#7]

@familieslife1 

I have the same problem with McAfee & Edge on Android devices.

Works ok with Chrome, but not with Edge.

I tried stopping, disabling, and enabling Android web viewer. After that Edge worked ok .... once.

But not any subsequent times.

I've reverted to using Chrome as my default (even though I much prefer Edge).