Bring back “Always open these types of links in the associated app” to Google Chrome

I use Zoom for my work a lot. I pass around Zoom links like they’re popcorn being shared at a movie theater. I’ve got them in my calendar, in Slack, and in emails.

I used to be able to click on a link, and the link would open in my default web browser (Google Chrome), and then that would open up the Zoom application.

In Google Chrome 77, Google changed that. Now, I have one more button to click to confirm that I want to open up the Zoom application. There used to be a checkbox labeled Always open these types of links in the associated app, but that went away.

However, there is a hidden preference (intended for policy administration, but usable by all) that can bring it back! Windows users can add a registry entry, but I’m on a Mac. Here’s how a Mac user can do it:

1. Quit Google Chrome
2. Open up Terminal
3. Run the following code at the terminal prompt:

defaults write com.google.Chrome ExternalProtocolDialogShowAlwaysOpenCheckbox -bool true

4. Restart Google Chrome

Now, when you try to open links, that checkbox will be back. Check it, and you’ll have less buttons to click in the future!