---
title: Why Links Open in the Wrong Browser on Mac
order: 18
summary: Find out why a link opened in the wrong browser or profile, and fix it. Junction's junction test command shows which rule caught a link, and why it did.
related: [troubleshooting, cli, rules]
icons: [wrench]
---

# Fix links that open in the wrong browser

Junction is a free, open-source macOS app that becomes your default browser and routes each link by your rules. When a link lands somewhere unexpected, the cause is almost always one of a handful of things, and Junction can tell you which.

## Why does a link open in the wrong browser?

Almost always because a broader rule above is catching it first. Junction checks rules from the top and stops at the first match, so a rule like `*.google.com/*` near the top wins over `mail.google.com/*` below it.

Run `junction test` with the link to see which rule wins. It prints the rule and the action, and opens nothing:

```json rule
{
  "name": "All Google → Chrome",
  "match": { "patterns": ["*.google.com/*"] },
  "action": { "app": "com.google.Chrome" }
}
```

```json rule
{
  "name": "Gmail → Safari",
  "match": { "patterns": ["mail.google.com/*"] },
  "action": { "app": "com.apple.Safari" }
}
```

```text junction test
$ junction test "https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/"
input:       https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/
rule:        [1] All Google → Chrome
action:      open in com.google.Chrome
url:         https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/
```

The fix is to move the specific rule — Gmail here — above the broad one. In Settings, drag it up the Rules list; in the config file, move it earlier in `rules`.

![Settings → Rules lists rules in match order; drag a rule to move it](/_astro/01-rules-pane.DyemHS9f.png)

More on order in [a default browser per website](default-browser-per-website.md#which-rule-wins-when-two-rules-match).

## How do I test a rule that matches the app I clicked in?

Add `--source` with that app's bundle ID, and `junction test` pretends the click came from it:

```text Terminal
$ junction test "https://example.com/report" --source com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap
```

See [routing links by app](links-from-apps.md) for those rules.

## Why doesn't Junction route any links at all?

Junction isn't your default browser. It only sees links while it holds that slot, so re-select it under **System Settings → Desktop & Dock → Default web browser**.

## Why does a rule open the fallback browser instead of its app?

Because Junction couldn't carry the rule out, and it opens the fallback rather than the wrong thing. The usual causes:

| Cause | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| The browser or app isn't installed | Install it, or change the rule |
| The browser profile was deleted | Point the rule at a profile that exists |
| A Firefox profile rule without Full Disk Access | Turn on Full Disk Access (below) |
| The link doesn't fit the deep link | Check it in **Settings → Deep Links** — see [adding an app](custom-app-deep-links.md) |
| The config file has an error | Fix the file; the menu-bar icon flags it |

## Why can't I choose a browser profile?

macOS is blocking Junction from reading your browsers' profile lists, and it never asks first. Turn on Junction under **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access**, then click **Check Again** or **Refresh** in **Settings → Browsers**. Junction only reads each browser's list of profile names.

## Why do Slack links open in the browser?

Slack permalinks don't carry the team ID the Slack app needs. Add the workspace in **Settings → Deep Links** — see [Slack links](slack-discord-links.md#why-does-slack-need-my-workspace-first).

## What if I broke the config file?

Your links keep routing. An invalid edit leaves the last rules that worked in place and shows a warning in the menu bar. `junction config validate` explains what's wrong.

## Get Junction

Junction is free and MIT-licensed, for macOS 13 or later on Apple silicon and Intel. [Install it](/#install) with Homebrew or the DMG, then follow the [first-launch steps](/docs#quickstart).