Configuring a custom domain for deep linking creates and hosts a site association file on the domain, which is half the handshake of setting up Universal Links for iOS and App Links for Android.
- NOTE: You must set up mobile apps in Bitly Enterprise with Apple App IDs and/or Android SHA-256 Keys before you're able to associate the app with your custom domain.
Once completed, follow these steps to create the site association file(s) for your custom domain:
1. Navigate to the Group section of your Enterprise account. Then click on the Custom Domain tab and choose the domain to be used for deep linking. This will take you to domain options.
2. Select the Mobile Behavior option and choose the iOS or Android apps to be configured for the domain.
- NOTE: Only apps with Apple App IDs or Android SHA-256 Keys will appear in this list.
3. Choose the app configuration settings for the custom domain:
- App Priority: The order the mobile operating system will follow when trying to open apps. If an app with a higher priority order is not installed on the mobile device the OS will try the next app in the order listed. The order can be adjusted by dragging and dropping the app into the desired order.
- Fallback: The app that will determine Install URL to be used in the event no listed apps are already installed on the mobile device of the user clicking the deep link.
- Install Preference: The mobile experience to be shown to a user with no listed apps already installed on the mobile device. The Install Preference can be unique for iOS and Android.
- OFF - User will be automatically taken to the content in mobile web.
- INTERSTITIAL - User will be taken to an interstitial on mobile web where they can choose to go to the Install URL to download the app or be taken to the content in mobile web.
- APP STORE - User will be automatically taken to the Install URL to download the app.
4. Click the 'Add Apps to Domain' button to finish configuring the selected apps / settings for the custom domain.
That's it! You can verify the apps are configured properly on the custom domain by viewing the site association files at:
- iOS: https://[INSERT_YOUR_CUSTOM_DOMAIN]/apple-app-site-association
- Android: https://[INSERT_YOUR_CUSTOM_DOMAIN]/.well-known/assetlinks.json
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
- It can take up to 10 mins to see updates to the site association file due to caching.
- Once one or more apps are associated to a custom domain, all links created on that custom domain prior to and after configuring will be deep link enabled.
Keep these things in mind as you choose and set up a custom domain:
- The domain for your short links must be different than your website domain.
- It can't be more than 32 characters long, including the dot.
- If you haven't added one yet, Bitly offers a complimentary domain. However, if you add your own domain, you won't be able to redeem this offer later.