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One Link for iOS & Android

Create a single smart link that automatically routes iOS users to the App Store and Android users to Google Play. No coding required.

October 5, 20256 min readTutorial

The Problem

  • iOS users need App Store link
  • Android users need Google Play link
  • Desktop users need web fallback
  • Multiple URLs to manage

The Solution

  • One smart link for all platforms
  • Automatic device detection
  • Perfect user experience
  • Easy to manage and track

Why You Need Smart Links

Traditional app marketing requires multiple URLs: one for iOS App Store, one for Google Play, and often a web fallback. This creates friction in your marketing campaigns and confuses users.

Smart links solve this by automatically detecting the user's device and routing them to the appropriate destination. One URL, perfect experience for everyone.

Real-World Example

Instead of sharing three different links in your email campaign:

• iOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/yourapp

• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yourapp

• Web: https://yourapp.com

Share one smart link: https://appy.to/yourapp

Step-by-Step Guide

1

Choose Your Smart Link Platform

Sign up for Appy (or similar service) to get started with smart links.

💡 Look for platforms that support iOS App Store, Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, and web fallbacks.

2

Create Your Smart Link

Add your app store URLs and configure destinations for each platform.

💡 Enter your App Store URL, Google Play URL, and web fallback URL.

3

Customize Your Link

Choose a memorable slug and add optional branding or QR codes.

💡 Pick a short, memorable URL like appy.to/yourapp or appy.to/promo2025.

4

Test Your Link

Test the link on different devices to ensure proper routing.

💡 Try the link on iPhone, Android, and desktop to verify it works correctly.

5

Share and Track

Use your smart link in campaigns and monitor analytics.

💡 Share in emails, social media, QR codes, and track clicks, conversions, and device breakdowns.

Platform Support

Modern smart link platforms support all major app stores and platforms:

🍎

iOS App Store

iPhone and iPad users

🤖

Google Play

Android users

📱

Huawei AppGallery

Huawei device users

🌐

Web Fallback

Desktop and other devices

Advanced Features

Deeplink Landing Pages

Instead of immediately redirecting to app stores, show a branded landing page that attempts to open your app first. If the app isn't installed, then redirect to the store.

  • • Better user experience
  • • Higher conversion rates
  • • Branded experience
  • • Analytics on app opens vs store visits

QR Code Integration

Generate QR codes that link to your smart links for offline marketing campaigns, print materials, and events.

  • • Custom branded QR codes
  • • Multiple download formats (SVG, PNG)
  • • Analytics on QR code scans
  • • Perfect for events and print marketing

Analytics & Attribution

Track detailed analytics on your smart links to understand user behavior and optimize campaigns.

  • • Click tracking and device breakdown
  • • Geographic data and referrer analysis
  • • Conversion tracking
  • • Export data for further analysis

Best Practices

Do's

  • ✅ Use memorable, brandable URLs
  • ✅ Test on real devices before launching
  • ✅ Set up proper analytics tracking
  • ✅ Use HTTPS for all your URLs
  • ✅ Include web fallback for desktop users
  • ✅ Monitor performance and optimize

Don'ts

  • ❌ Don't use generic, hard-to-remember URLs
  • ❌ Don't skip testing on different devices
  • ❌ Don't forget about desktop users
  • ❌ Don't ignore analytics data
  • ❌ Don't use HTTP (always use HTTPS)

Use Cases

Smart links are perfect for various marketing scenarios:

Email Marketing

Include one link in your email campaigns that works for all subscribers regardless of their device.

Example: Newsletter signup → App download

Social Media

Share one link across all social platforms without worrying about which platform your audience uses.

Example: Instagram bio → App store

QR Code Campaigns

Print QR codes on materials that automatically route users to the right app store.

Example: Event flyer → App download

Influencer Marketing

Give influencers one link to share that works perfectly for their audience.

Example: YouTube video → App promotion

Conclusion

Creating one link for iOS and Android is essential for modern app marketing. It simplifies your campaigns, improves user experience, and provides better analytics.

With platforms like Appy, you can set up smart links in minutes without any coding. Start with the basics and add advanced features like deeplink landing pages and QR codes as you grow.

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