What's the best way to handle deep linking in a mobile app?

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What's the best way to handle deep linking in a mobile app?

Asked on Dec 28, 2025

Answer

Handling deep linking in a mobile app involves setting up a mechanism that allows users to navigate to specific content within your app from external sources, such as web pages or other apps. This can be achieved using Universal Links on iOS and App Links on Android, which provide a seamless user experience by opening the app directly when a link is clicked.

Example Concept: Deep linking in mobile apps is implemented using Universal Links for iOS and App Links for Android. These links allow the app to respond to specific URL patterns, enabling direct navigation to in-app content. When a user clicks a link, the operating system checks if the app is installed and, if so, opens the app to the specified content. If the app is not installed, it can redirect the user to the app store. This approach enhances user engagement by providing a smooth transition from web to app.

Additional Comment:

For iOS, configure Universal Links by adding associated domains in your app's entitlement file and setting up the apple-app-site-association file on your server.
For Android, define App Links in the AndroidManifest.xml and verify the domain ownership with a Digital Asset Links file.
Consider using a deep linking library like Branch or Firebase Dynamic Links for advanced features like deferred deep linking and analytics.
Test deep links thoroughly to ensure they work correctly across different devices and scenarios.

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