Overview
AppsOnAir's AppLink simplifies complex user journeys and boosts app engagement by making every link smarter, context-aware, and persistent.
Introduction
AppsOnAir introduces AppLink, a smart deep linking solution that makes every link intelligent and persistent. It simplifies user journeys and boosts engagement by smoothly directing users to the right content across any device, with or without the app installed.
With AppLink, you can create personalized and context-aware experiences that persist across app installations. When a user clicks an AppLink, they are intelligently redirected based on the device and app installation status:
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If the app is installed, the link opens the app directly to the intended screen or content.
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If the app is not installed, the user is redirected to the app store (or a specified fallback URL), and once installed, the app can still retrieve the original link data to resume the intended flow.
AppLink: Seamless Deep Linking Across Platforms and Installs
AppLink is a smart linking solution that ensures your users enjoy the most seamless experience across devices and platforms, whether or not your app is already installed. Designed as a modern replacement for Firebase Dynamic Links, AppLink helps you deliver deep, contextual user journeys with minimal friction.
When a user taps an AppLink on Android or iOS, they're taken directly to the relevant in-app content. If they don't have the app installed, AppLink intelligently routes them to the app store, and once installed, automatically resumes the intended deep link action, creating a smooth and engaging user experience.
AppLink also supports desktop browsers by redirecting users to the corresponding content on your website, maintaining context across platforms. As Firebase Dynamic Links phases out, AppLink provides a reliable, future-proof alternative for powering your app's deep linking strategy.
How It Works
You can create an AppLink using the dashboard or by manually appending parameters to your custom domain. These parameters control how the link behaves based on the user's device and whether the app is installed. If the app isn't installed, AppLink redirects the user to the appropriate app store. Once installed, your app opens and can access the original link content seamlessly.
All AppLink features, including analytics, post-install attribution, AppsFlyer attribution, and SDK integrations, work seamlessly with both default AppLink domains and your own custom domain.
Implementation Path
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| ❶ Set up AppLink configuration and install AppLink SDK | Enable AppLinks for your AppsOnAir app in the AppsOnAir web portal. Then include the AppLink SDK in your app. |
| ❷ Create AppLink | You can create AppLinks either through the AppLink dashboard or by generating them programmatically via SDKs. |
| ❸ Handle AppLinks in your app | At app launch, the AppLink SDK allows you to detect whether the app was opened via an AppLink. If it was, you can retrieve the associated deep link and navigate the user to the relevant in-app content. |
| ❹ View analytics data | Track the performance of your AppLinks in the AppsOnAir web portal. |
Create AppLink
You can create AppLinks in the following ways:
- Via the AppLink Portal: Best for creating promotional or shareable links. You can customize the link name and suffix, set Attribution TTL and AppsFlyer attribution data, and track performance using built-in analytics tools.
- Programmatically within your app: Available for iOS, Android, Flutter, and React Native. This is ideal for generating contextual or user-to-user links directly through the AppLink SDK.
- Before getting started, ensure your AppLink configuration is set up.
Attribution TTL (Time To Live)
attributionTtl defines the window, in seconds, during which an install can still be credited to a link click. You set it per link when the link is created. If you do not pass attributionTtl, the window defaults to 1 hour. Longer attribution windows depend on your subscription plan — to request one, reach out to our support team at [email protected].
Once the app is installed, the SDK reports how that install was attributed:
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Non-organic: the install happened within the attribution window of the click, so it is credited to the AppLink that was clicked.
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Organic: the install happened outside the window, so the click is not treated as the attribution for that install.
Your app reads this through the getAttributionInfo() method and the onAttributionListener() callback, along with the first-launch state and the first-install time.
If the link also carries AppsFlyer data, AppsFlyer accepts the attribution window only in whole hours. A window that includes minutes is rounded down to the nearest hour on the AppsFlyer side, so 9000 seconds (2 hours 30 minutes) reaches AppsFlyer as 2 hours. The AppLink attribution itself still uses the full value you set.
Attribution TTL is available on Android, iOS, Flutter, and React Native. The attributionTtl parameter is optional.
For the parameter reference and code samples, see the setup guide for your platform: Android, iOS, Flutter, or React Native.
AppsFlyer Attribution
AppLink can carry AppsFlyer attribution data, so installs driven by your links are measurable alongside the rest of your AppsFlyer campaigns.
When you create your AppsOnAir AppLink, you can attach campaign details to it: the channel or media source, the campaign name and campaign ID, sub-parameters for granular tracking, and the title and description shown on the AppLink landing page. These live on the link itself and are set at creation time through the optional appsFlyer parameter.
AppsFlyer attribution is available on Android, iOS, Flutter, and React Native. The appsFlyer parameter is optional, and links created without it keep their existing behavior.
To track this attribution in your AppsFlyer dashboard, the AppsFlyer SDK must be integrated into your app.
For configuration and testing steps, see AppsFlyer Attribution.
Supported Platforms
| Platform | Languages/Tools |
|---|---|
| Android | Native support with Kotlin & Java |
| iOS | Fully compatible with Swift, SwiftUI & Objective-C |
| Flutter | Easy-to-use plugin for cross-platform integration |
| React Native | Native module with seamless integration into React Native apps |
Key Capabilities
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Cross-Platform Support: Links that work across iOS, Android, and the web.
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Deferred Deep Linking: Deliver personalized content even after the app is installed.
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Attribution TTL: Set how long after a click an install can still be credited to the link.
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AppsFlyer Attribution: Attach AppsFlyer campaign data to any AppLink and measure the installs it drives.
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Custom Link Behavior: Tailor how links behave depending on platform, app state, or user type.
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Easy Integration: Lightweight SDKs and APIs for effortless implementation.
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User Friendly: Perfect for user onboarding, referrals, content sharing.
Use Cases
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Referral Campaigns: Track and attribute user referrals through install and launch.
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Promotions & Offers: Deliver unique content tied to seasonal campaigns or special events.
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Content Sharing: Let users share specific app screens with others, driving organic growth.
Start managing your app deep links with AppLink by AppsOnAir, the alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links. For more information, visit the AppsOnAir.
Also, check out the AppsOnAir mobile app for a more interactive experience:
