Deep Linking in Android/iOS Part-1
Deep linking is the most common feature almost implemented in all applications. The best Example for Deep linking applications are the following :
PlayStore/ AppStore — Download application from the link.
Google Pay/Play — Pay/Send money to someone or share reward points.
Jugnoo/ Uber/Ola Cabs — Referral & Earn to someone else for download applications or share information.
What is deep linking?
Deep linking is a concept to link your application with a URL(web content) using specific URL-schemes(pattern). E.g share a specific URL to download the application from the application store or open if it already installs.
Most Common SDK to Implement Deep Linking
BRANCH.io
Branch.io is the most popular SDK to Implement Deep linking. SDK provides various features like analytics reports of shared links based on platforms(web/iOS/Android) and design page content for advertised about the application.
Steps to Setup in branch.io platforms
1. Create a New Application, Option at bottom Left Panel/ Top centric part.
- Enter AppName
- Set TimeZone — important for analytic reports.
2.Switch Application to Test — Live Mode.
3. Once the application is created you need to config the application based on the platform checkout below.
Config Android Application.
Set the Android application URL if the application is already live on Store.
Config iOS Application.
Domain in Deeplinking
Domain? — The domain is similar to package-name or identifier of application to identify and generate a link for a specific domain and click impression according to it.
Every application in branch.io has a default value of the domain. we can change it by Change My Domain.
Universal Link
Starting with iOS 9, Apple offers Universal Linking functionality, which will open URLs directly into an app, rather than the usual Link -> Safari -> App handoff cycle. This requires some setup, but we do this for you, we just need your Apple App Prefix and your app’s Bundle Identifier.
- Add Bundle Identifier for Universal.
It all about the Branch.io Dashboard setup. In the next article, we discuss coding snippets to implement an application(Android/iOS). Please clap, Share and follow my blogs for the latest update and next part of the implementation.