iOS
Introduction to Deep Linking in iOS
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Introduction
It is a very useful feature on iOS that allows the users to navigate to a specific part of an app instead of going through the normal navigation flow. This helps to improve user experience, makes possible the launching of marketing campaigns while making connections with external systems such as email or social networking.
Deep Link Types
1. Custom URL Schemes:
- Using a unique scheme (like myapp://) will allow you to handle your deep links.
- Implementing the schemes is straightforward, but it's not as versatile as the universal links.
2. Universal Links:
- Standard HTTPS URLs that should open in your app (if one is installing it) otherwise it opens in a browser.
- Secure and seamless support from version iOS 9 onward.
Connecting Deep Links
Custom URL Schemes
1. Adding a URL Scheme to Your Application:
Open your app's target in Xcode. Under the Info tab, you'll find URL Types. Here, add your custom scheme (for example, myapp).
2. let your AppDelegate handle the deep link:
func application(_ app: UIApplication, open url: URL, options: [UIApplication.OpenURLOptionsKey : Any] = [:]) -> Bool { guard let scheme = url.scheme, scheme == "myapp" else { return false } // Parse URL and navigate to the appropriate screen return true}
Universal Links
1. Set up an Apple app site association file (.aasa):
- Host this JSON file on your server at https://<yourdomain>/.well-known/apple-app-site-association.
- Example file content:
{ "applinks": { "apps": [], "details": [ { "appID": "<TeamID>.<BundleID>", "paths": ["/path/*"] } ] }}2. Enable Associated Domains in Xcode:
- Go to your app's target.
- Under Signing & Capabilities, add the Associated Domains capability.
- Add your domain (eg, applinks:yourdomain.com).
3. Then proceed to manage the link via SceneDelegate (or App in SwiftUI):
func scene(_ scene: UIScene, continue userActivity: NSUserActivity) { guard userActivity.activityType == NSUserActivityTypeBrowsingWeb, let url = userActivity.webpageURL else { return } // Parse URL and navigate to the appropriate screen}
Testing deep links
- For universal links, use Safari (make sure your app is installed).
- Use the xcrun simctl openurl command to test both universal and custom schemes:
xcrun simctl openurl booted myapp://pathxcrun simctl openurl booted https://yourdomain.com/pathBest Practices
- Fallback Handling: Make sure to have your app manage failure gracefully when it does not support an invalid deep link.
- Analytics: Track the usage of deep linking to know how it serves different users.
- Secure Universal Links: It is imperative to secure this kind of communication through HTTPS.
Final Output
Deep linking is one of the features all modern iOS apps should have to ensure that users are kept interested and navigated easily. A combination of custom URL schemes and universal links should give you the right strategy for robust deep linking based on the requirements of your app.
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