The app does this using an intent filter marked with the browsable category. Web links can only open apps on the device if (1) the app specifically says it can understand/handle that kind of link and (2) the app specifically says that it's safe to access it in that way from the web.
Note that this isn't a security problem, whichever behaviour you choose. Now links to Google Play will never open in the Play Store app. Next time a website redirects you to a Google Play link, you'll get a chooser asking you whether to open it in the browser (it'll give you a choice of browsers if you have several installed) or with the Play Store app. What you can do is stop links to apps on Google Play opening in the Play Store app.įrom the main device settings, go to Apps, then find Google Play Store in the list, click Open by default, then Open supported links, then Don't open in this app.įrom the main device settings, go to Apps, then find Play Store in the list, and click Clear defaults. If not, choose 'Sign Out' and sign in with the same account used on the iPad. The 'View Account' choice should show the email address used with your iPad.
You can view these settings under the 'Store' menu.
Once an app is removed, however, all hope isn't lost. Launch iTunes and verify that you are signed into the same Apple ID as you use with your iPad. You can't stop websites redirecting you to other sites: that's just how the web works. Google has removed apps from the Play store for a number of reasons, the most common being that they violate the company's policy.
