"Safari cannot open the page because the address is invalid"

[stefanmaine]

iMac with OS Ventura 13.6.9 and Safari 17.6

It seems that whenever I click on an email address, Safari pops up “Safari cannot open the page because the address is invalid.”

I have entered that in Google. The suggested solutions are “Clear History” “Restart” “Empty the cache.” None fixes it.

So, I right-click the page, click on “Inspect Element,” scroll to the email link (Mail To), and CMD C the email address.

What is the real fix?

Thank you.

 

[MacInWin]

It's an EMAIL address, not a net address. Safari won't open it. It's designed to be an avenue to send an email, not a website.

Not a "fix" as that is how it works.

 

[stefanmaine]

Thank you.

I have attached two images, both from Maine's official website. I chose a government office's public website as an example to avoid having to gray names.

Image One displays several hot-linked names. Here is the code behind one of them: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">Lisa Silva</a> As I understand it, clicking that hot-linked name is intended to open a pre-addressed outgoing email form in my default email client (Gmail) .

Instead, clicking on any of those hot-linked names generates "Safari cannot open the page because the address is invalid" (Image Two).

What am I doing wrong ... or missing?

 

[MacInWin]

I don't know what is wrong on your system. I used Safari to go to the same page, clicked on the link you used and it opened a new email message in Mail with that name in the right place. Do you use some other email application? I am on a MBP running Sonoma 14.6.1, Safari 17.6, but it has worked that way for a very long time.

 

[stefanmaine]

I use Gmail.

Here's what just popped into my head. The line "a pre-addressed outgoing email form in my default email client" includes the words default email client.

I'm guessing I have not informed Safari (or is it the Mac?) that Gmail is my default email client.

When I click on the hotlink, my Mac doesn't know what I want it to open.

Does that make sense to you?

If so, how do I inform my Mac that Gmail is my default email client?

Thank you for your time!!

 

[MacInWin]

This should help: How to Change the Default Email Program for Mailto: Links

 

[ferrarr]

Gmail is your email provider. Safari is looking for the app you use to send emails.

 

[MacInWin]

Bob, there is a Gmail app in addition to the Gmail website for email. I take it that the OP is using the Gmail app, but that Safari doesn't know it's the default. The article has steps to take to make Gmail the default.

 

[ferrarr]

There is not an official google mail app in the macOS App Store.

I just found this, to set up the default email app.

Change the default web browser or email app on Mac - Apple Support

Choose which app opens when you click a link for a website or email address.

support.apple.com

 

[MacInWin]

There is not an official google mail app in the macOS App Store.

I just found this, to set up the default email app.

Change the default web browser or email app on Mac - Apple Support

Choose which app opens when you click a link for a website or email address.

support.apple.com

Interesting that the Gmail app is no longer there in the store. I have a friend who runs it on her iMac. I don't use anything from Google myself, was working from what I have seen on her system.

Thanks for the link, I knew there had to be a way, but I didn't find it.