PowerBI (web view + power bi embedded) in my custom app is not loading

[pyskaty]

I have a custom application on both Android and iOS. Inside these apps, I display Power BI reports by embedding them in a WebView (I'm using Power BI Embedded in a similar way in my web application). The web apps have been working like this for the past five years.

Recently, the reports stopped loading. It looks like Power BI itself is loading inside the iframe — I can see the spinning Power BI icon in the center — but the report itself never appears. The issue happens on both Android and iOS.

Has anyone experienced this or have any idea what might be causing it?

[v-ssriganesh · Accepted solution]

Hi @pyskaty,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

After thoroughly reviewing the details you provided, below are some potential causes and steps to troubleshoot:

• Power BI Embedded uses embed tokens that expire after ~1 hour. Ensure your app refreshes the token before expiry. Check the embedToken expiration date and verify that the authentication token (or service principal for "app owns data") is valid. Test the accessToken and embedUrl in a browser to confirm they load the report.
  
  
• For iOS Ensure you’re using WKWebView, as UIWebView is deprecated and for android Confirm JavaScript is enabled.
  
  
• If the report contains large datasets or complex visuals, it may fail to render in WebView. Try embedding a simpler test report with minimal data to isolate the issue. In Power BI Service, optimize the report by reducing dataset size or simplifying visuals.
  
  
• Confirm that Power BI tenant settings allow embedding for your app. In the Power BI Admin Portal, check that “Allow service principals to use Power BI APIs” is enabled (for "app owns data" scenarios) and that embedding is permitted.

If you find this information useful, please “Accept as solution” and give it a "kudos" to assist others in locating it easily.
Thank you.

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

Hi @pyskaty

It sounds like you're encountering a recent issue that may be related to changes in how Power BI handles authentication, cookies, or iframe embedding—especially in mobile environments. Power BI has made updates to its security model and third-party cookie handling, which can impact embedded reports inside WebViews, particularly on mobile platforms where WebView behavior may vary.

One common cause is blocked third-party cookies or session storage limitations within the mobile WebView, which can prevent the report from fully rendering. To troubleshoot, ensure your WebView is configured to allow JavaScript, cookies, and local storage. Additionally, check for any recent Power BI service updates or embed token expiration issues. Microsoft also recommends using the Power BI JavaScript SDK for embedding, which may help with token handling and improved control over report lifecycle events. Updating your WebView implementation or switching to a native browser-based approach could also resolve the issue.

Passionate about leveraging data analytics to drive strategic decision-making and foster business growth.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: Rohit Kumar.

[Juliona · Accepted solution]

This problem seems to have emerged due to recent changes in how Power BI handles security, cookies, and embedded content, particularly in mobile environments.

One of the most common causes is that mobile WebViews often block third-party cookies or restrict session storage, which Power BI relies on for rendering embedded reports. Additionally, updates on the Power BI service side may have introduced changes that impact authentication, especially if you’re using embed tokens. If the token expires or isn’t refreshed properly, the report may hang during the loading phase.

To resolve this, you should first ensure your WebView settings are properly configured: enable JavaScript, allow cookies and local storage, and make sure all content loads over HTTPS. Using the Power BI JavaScript SDK is also recommended, as it gives you greater control over token management and report lifecycle events. Check your embed token logic as well make sure tokens are generated just before use and implement logic to refresh them if they expire.

It's also helpful to test your report in the device’s native browser to confirm whether the issue is WebView-specific. Finally, monitor any announcements or updates from the Power BI team regarding changes to embedded report handling.

[v-ssriganesh]

Hi @pyskaty,

May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

Thank you.

[v-ssriganesh]

Hi @pyskaty,
I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. If my response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.
Thank you.

[rohit1991 · Accepted solution]

Hi @pyskaty

It sounds like you're encountering a recent issue that may be related to changes in how Power BI handles authentication, cookies, or iframe embedding—especially in mobile environments. Power BI has made updates to its security model and third-party cookie handling, which can impact embedded reports inside WebViews, particularly on mobile platforms where WebView behavior may vary.

One common cause is blocked third-party cookies or session storage limitations within the mobile WebView, which can prevent the report from fully rendering. To troubleshoot, ensure your WebView is configured to allow JavaScript, cookies, and local storage. Additionally, check for any recent Power BI service updates or embed token expiration issues. Microsoft also recommends using the Power BI JavaScript SDK for embedding, which may help with token handling and improved control over report lifecycle events. Updating your WebView implementation or switching to a native browser-based approach could also resolve the issue.

Passionate about leveraging data analytics to drive strategic decision-making and foster business growth.

Connect with me on LinkedIn: Rohit Kumar.

[v-ssriganesh · Accepted solution]

Hi @pyskaty,
Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

After thoroughly reviewing the details you provided, below are some potential causes and steps to troubleshoot:

• Power BI Embedded uses embed tokens that expire after ~1 hour. Ensure your app refreshes the token before expiry. Check the embedToken expiration date and verify that the authentication token (or service principal for "app owns data") is valid. Test the accessToken and embedUrl in a browser to confirm they load the report.
  
  
• For iOS Ensure you’re using WKWebView, as UIWebView is deprecated and for android Confirm JavaScript is enabled.
  
  
• If the report contains large datasets or complex visuals, it may fail to render in WebView. Try embedding a simpler test report with minimal data to isolate the issue. In Power BI Service, optimize the report by reducing dataset size or simplifying visuals.
  
  
• Confirm that Power BI tenant settings allow embedding for your app. In the Power BI Admin Portal, check that “Allow service principals to use Power BI APIs” is enabled (for "app owns data" scenarios) and that embedding is permitted.

If you find this information useful, please “Accept as solution” and give it a "kudos" to assist others in locating it easily.
Thank you.

[v-ssriganesh]

Hi @pyskaty,
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you'd like to discuss this further. If this answers your question, please accept it as a solution and give it a 'Kudos' so other community members with similar problems can find a solution faster.
Thank you.