Unable to insert a URL link to existing custom post type content in the classic editor

[befantasy]

Description

Description of the Issue:
When writing a post in the WordPress iOS App, using the “Insert Link” feature only returns search results for pages and posts. WooCommerce products (product post type) are not shown in the results.

Expected Behavior:
In the WordPress web editor, the “Insert Link” dialog can successfully search and link to WooCommerce products. We expect the iOS app to behave the same way and support searching products.

I have post the problem in wordpress ( https://wordpress.org/support/topic/unable-to-select-products-when-inserting-a-url-link-only-posts-are-available/#post-18553181 )

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

Install WooCommerce on a WordPress site and publish at least one product.
Open the same site using the WordPress iOS App.
Create a new post and tap “Insert Link.”
Enter a keyword matching a WooCommerce product title.
Notice that only pages and posts are shown; products are missing.
Environment Details:

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

No response

Environment info

WordPress version: 6.8.2
WooCommerce version: 10.0.3
WordPress iOS App version: V26.0
REST API: accessible and working
Server: PHP 8.2, Nginx

Please confirm that you have searched existing issues in the repo.

• Yes

[dangermattic]

Thanks for reporting! 👍

[dcalhoun]

Hey @befantasy. 👋🏻 Thank you for reporting this issue.

I am unable to reproduce the issue you describe. Please see the following screen recording where I insert a product link into a post using the mobile editor. I am able to do so with either:

1. Tapping the link button in a Paragraph block's toolbar;
2. Or typing [[ while focused on a Paragraph block.

link-to-product.MP4

Are you able to achieve this successful outcome yourself?

Create a new post and tap “Insert Link.”

Are you able to share a screenshot or screen recording showing your steps? Specifically, I'm interest in understanding where the "Insert Link" button you reference tapping.

Thanks!

[befantasy]

I think I may have found a clue. I noticed that your editing interface looks different from mine. In fact, my earlier description wasn’t entirely accurate — I wasn’t creating a new post in the iOS app, but rather editing a draft post that had been submitted via the REST API for review.

When I tried creating a new post directly in the iOS app, I found that the editor looked the same as yours, and indeed, I was able to insert product links. However, when editing an existing post, the link insertion interface is different and does not allow product search.

I also found this option in the iOS app: Site Settings > Use Block Editor. This option is enabled. However, when editing an existing post, it doesn’t take effect — the app still uses the classic editor.

So the issue I reported needs to be clarified as follows:
1. In the iOS app, the classic editor does not support searching / inserting product links.
2. When editing existing posts, there is no option to switch from the classic editor to the block editor like in the web interface.

ScreenRecording_07-23-2025.09-21-08_1.mp4

[dcalhoun]

Thanks for sharing additional findings.

Does your site have the classic editor plugin activated? What other plugins are activated on your website?

[befantasy]

Thanks for sharing additional findings.

Does your site have the classic editor plugin activated? What other plugins are activated on your website?

I don’t have the classic editor plugin. Isn’t the classic editor built into WordPress by default?

I don’t have any third-party editors or page builders.

[dcalhoun]

Isn’t the classic editor built into WordPress by default?

It is, but not enabled by default. The block editor is the default editor since WordPress 5.0.

It could be your theme, installed plugins, or custom code is enabling the classic editor on your site.

• When you create a new post in WP Admin (on the website) does it open the block editor or the classic editor?
• After creating a brand new post in WP Admin (on the website), do you experience the issue in mobile app?
• Are you able to share a URL for a post that experiences the issue?

[befantasy]

Isn’t the classic editor built into WordPress by default?

It is, but not enabled by default. The block editor is the default editor since WordPress 5.0.

It could be your theme, installed plugins, or custom code is enabling the classic editor on your site.

• When you create a new post in WP Admin (on the website) does it open the block editor or the classic editor?
• After creating a brand new post in WP Admin (on the website), do you experience the issue in mobile app?
• Are you able to share a URL for a post that experiences the issue?

Yes, when creating a post using the web interface or the iOS app, the default editor is the block editor. In the block editor, inserting a URL allows you to search for product links.

However, I usually submit draft posts using a workflow tool via the REST API. I just ran a test: if the post content contains only HTML and does not include Gutenberg block format, it defaults to the Classic Editor when viewed or edited on both the web and iOS app.

If the post content includes Gutenberg block format, then it opens in the Block Editor by default on both the web and iOS app.

So the issue is clear — in fact, it’s the Classic Editor on the iOS app that cannot search for products when inserting a URL. On the web interface, inserting links works for products regardless of whether it’s the Classic or Block Editor.