Launch the Native Apps When Clicking a Link from Outside the App

Launch the Native Apps When Clicking a Link from Outside the App

Example: I share an article from my app on Facebook or Twitter or via email. Final users click the link to your article from Facebook or Twitter or their email: 
- If they have installed the native app on their device, the native app will be launched on the right article page.
- If not, the PWA will be launched on the right article page.


1. iOS - Universal Links

Universal links is Apple’s method of launching apps on iOS when linked from a website.
Universal links are available in iOS 9 and above.

Universal links are standard web links (ex: https://www.mydomain.com) that point to both a specific PWA page and native app page.
When a Universal Link is set, iOS checks to see if any installed device is registered for that domain.
If so, the native app is launched immediately without loading the PWA page.
If not, your PWA is launched on the specific web URL.

Set Universal link - iOS

In all 3 cases described below, in order to activate Universal links, it is mandatory first to:
- Install a domain name  on your app.
- Publish your PWA.

- New apps - First publication on the App Store
1. Follow the iOS review process to submit your app and make sure to select "Yes" when asked if you'd like to set Universal link

- Muse mBaaS Takes Care process - Apps already published on the App store:
1. Ask for the update of your iOS App  and make sure to select "Yes" when asked in the form if you'd like to set Universal link

- Solo process - Apps already published on the App store:
1. Go to the menu Publish > iOS App > Certificates  and click "Edit" next to "Universal links Deactivated"
2. Select "Yes" to activate Universal links
3. Login to your Apple developer console and go to the menu Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles > Identifiers
4. Select your Identifier (you can go to this page  on your back office to check which App ID (identifier) you're using for your app).
5. Scroll down the list of Capabilities until you get to the line: Associated Domains, check the box left to it and Save your settings.
6. Go to the menu Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles > Profiles, edit or renew the Provisioning Profiles store and ad hoc for your iOS app.
7. Upload the new/updated certificates in your back office at the steps 5. Mobile Provision and 6. Ad hoc mobile provision
8. Rebuild your iOS app then send an update of your app to the App Store.


2. App Link - Android

Google built App links as the Android equivalent to iOS Universal links, and they operate in a very similar way: a standard web link that points to both a web page and a native app page.
If the Android native app is installed on the device, when clicking that link, it will open the native app.
If not, your PWA is launched on the specific web URL.

Set App link - Android

1. Install a domain name  on your app
2. Publish your PWA
3. Build (first submission) or rebuild your app Android
4. Submit the latest Android version  to the Play Store

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