---
title: "previewController(_:shouldOpen:for:)"
framework: quicklook
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "quicklook/qlpreviewcontrollerdelegate/previewcontroller(_:shouldopen:for:)"
---

# previewController(_:shouldOpen:for:)

Tells the delegate that the preview controller is trying to open a URL.

## Declaration

```swift
optional func previewController(_ controller: QLPreviewController, shouldOpen url: URL, for item: any QLPreviewItem) -> Bool
```

## Parameters

- `controller`: The Quick Look preview controller that’s asking the delegate to handle a user tapping a URL.
- `url`: The URL, from the displayed preview, that the user taps.
- `item`: The item displaying in the preview.

## Return Value

Return Value A Boolean value indicating whether to open the URL in the url parameter.

## Discussion

Discussion The system invokes this method when the user taps a URL link in a preview. If you return true, the Quick Look preview controller invokes the openURL(_:) method on the UIApplication object, sending it the value of the url parameter. If you return false, the system doesn’t invoke the openURL(_:) method. If you don’t implement this method, it defaults to returning true. note: The system doesn’t call this delegate method for Mac apps built with Mac Catalyst.