How do I create Universal Links and Android App Links?

With Bitly's mobile deep linking, you can easily set up your custom domain to support the industry standard deep linking methods: Apple's Universal Links and Google's Android App Links.

When enabled, all links on a custom domain will deep link into your app. This set-and-forget feature ensures you're providing the best mobile customer experience for all your links.

For a full overview of the process, check out the Bitly Help Center guide to deep links.

Creating Universal Links & Android App Links in Bitly

1. Configure your mobile apps through the mobile deep links section in your Bitly account settings.

   Note: The Apple App ID and Android SHA-256 Key are required to associate the app(s) to your custom domain.

2. Associate your custom domain with one or more mobile apps.

   This creates a site association file that enables support for the industry-standard deep linking methods of Apple's Universal Links and Google's Android App Links.

3. Install the Bitly SDK into your iOS and/or Android apps.

   The SDK is used to provide the original destination URL to the app in order to route the user to the expected content. It also enables you to measure App Opens and App Installs as well as support link deep link creation directly through your app.

4. Create a link on the custom domain you have enabled for Universal Links and/or Android App Links.

Additional Notes

• All links created on a custom domain before and after it's associated with an app will be deep linking enabled.
• You can easily create overrides for any links configured for Universal Links and/or Android App Links.