Sign in or subscribe for support Sign in

Articles in this section

See more

I want to create deep links to another app. How do I do this?

Alexander Hancock

This feature is available with some paid plans

If you have more than one mobile apps, you can control which links go to which app. The best way to do this is by using a subdomain or a second custom domain.

It's also possible to use Custom Scheme deep links to choose which app to use on a link-by-link basis. We don't recommend using Custom Scheme links, though, because Apple deprecated this method starting with iOS 9.

Using a subdomain or second custom domain

For this method, add a subdomain or second custom domain, then associate your second app with that domain.

Multiple domains are available with Enterprise subscriptions. Adding a subdomain counts as an additional domain. Contact your Customer Success Manager to add additional domains to your account.

To link into another app:

  1. Configure the additional app. 
  2. Add your subdomain or new custom domain.
  3. Associate the new app with your subdomain or new domain.
  4. Install the Bitly SDK into your app.

When you shorten links, you're able to choose which domain to use. Links using the new domain or subdomain will then drive traffic to your other mobile app, while links using your original custom domain continue to use the first mobile app.

Two important things to remember:

  • A link's destination URL needs to exist in the mobile app for the deep link to send traffic there.
  • If, in step 3, you associate multiple apps with your subdomain or new domain, make sure that the new app is listed at the top of the App Priority list.

Alternative: Using Custom Scheme deep links

The Custom Scheme method allows you to create deep links one at a time. This flexibility comes at a cost: Because Apple deprecated the feature starting with iOS 9, anyone on an iPhone or iPad has to go through additional steps before getting to your content in your app.

To link to another app, configure your additional app just like you did your first one. Then, when you want a link to point to your other app, use Custom Scheme deep linking.

To link into another app:

  1. Configure the additional app(s).
  2. Associate the new app(s) with your custom domain. Set your primary mobile app at the top of the app priority lists (for both iOS and Android, if appropriate) in the Mobile Link Behavior section.
  3. Create Custom Scheme deep links for any links that you want to point to the other app(s) instead of your primary app.

Remember that a link's destination URL needs to exist in the mobile app for the deep link to send traffic there.