How do I load a specific url on refresh?

Question

Let's say that someone decides to press F5 or the browser's reload button. Is that possible to open a specific url in the same tab?

Answer 1

Like posted in comment, if you display prompt, this is possible using following ugly hack:

var a,b;
window.onbeforeunload = function (e) {
    if (b) return;
    a = setTimeout(function () {
        b = true;
        window.location.href = "//test.com";
    }, 500);
    return "Now you will be redirected to new page if choosing to stay there...";
}
window.onunload = function () {
    clearTimeout(a);
}

Answer 2

As noted in this Stack Overflow answer, the ShortCut library is designed to handle keyboard button events, including F-keys and arrow-buttons etc.

However, I must say that the idea of redirecting people to another page or site when they think they are refreshing the page is not only bad practice, but open to abuse.

Answer 3

Use This

// To check if someone pressed f5 or leaving the page

window.onbeforeunload = function () {

    //for changing the url

    var newUrl = "http://www.someurl.com";
    window.location.href = newUrl;
};