The Complete Guide to Deep Links for Mobile Apps

You've spent months building the perfect onboarding flow. Your registration form is sleek, your welcome screens are engaging, and your app is ready to convert visitors into users. Then someone scans your QR code, lands on your app's home screen, and... gets lost trying to find how to sign up.

Sound familiar? This is where deep links come in. They're the secret weapon that turns a mediocre QR code campaign into a conversion machine.

What Are Deep Links, Anyway?

Think of deep links as GPS coordinates for your app. Instead of just opening your app to the front door (home screen), they navigate users directly to a specific room (screen or feature) inside.

A regular app link might look like this:

This opens the App Store, where users download your app and land on the home screen. Functional, but not exactly exciting.

A deep link looks like this:

This opens your app directly to the registration screen, with a tracking parameter so you know they came from your QR code campaign. That's the power of deep linking.

The Three Types of Deep Links

Not all deep links are created equal. Here's the breakdown:

1. Traditional Deep Links (URI Schemes)

The OG of deep linking. These use custom URL schemes like myapp:// instead of https://.

2. Universal Links (iOS) & App Links (Android)

The modern standard. These use regular https:// URLs that work everywhere:

• App installed: Opens directly in the app
• App not installed: Opens in the browser (where you can redirect to the app store)

3. Deferred Deep Links

The fancy cousin. These "remember" the destination through the app install process. User scans QR, installs app, and then lands on the registration screen. Requires third-party SDKs like Branch or Firebase Dynamic Links.

Why Deep Links Matter for QR Codes

QR codes are experiencing a renaissance. Post-pandemic, everyone knows how to use them. But here's what most marketers miss: the scan is just the beginning.

Consider two scenarios:

That's a 3x improvement in conversion, just by reducing friction.

Setting Up Deep Links: A Quick Overview

The technical setup varies by platform, but here's the gist:

For iOS (Universal Links)

1. Host an apple-app-site-association file on your website
2. Configure your app's Associated Domains capability
3. Handle the incoming URL in your app delegate

For Android (App Links)

1. Add intent filters to your AndroidManifest.xml
2. Host a .well-known/assetlinks.json file
3. Handle the intent in your activity

How KuhArr Handles Deep Links

We've built deep linking directly into our QR code platform. Here's how it works:

1. You provide two URLs per platform: a deep link URL and an app store fallback
2. User scans the QR code: KuhArr detects their device
3. We redirect to the deep link first: the OS handles the rest
4. If app isn't installed: the browser opens, and they can be redirected to the store

The redirect priority chain looks like this:

Best Practices for Deep Link URLs

1. Add Tracking Parameters

Don't just link to /register. Add context:

Now you can track which QR codes drive the most sign-ups.

2. Keep URLs Consistent

Use the same URL structure for iOS and Android when possible. It's easier to manage and debug.

3. Test on Real Devices

Simulators don't handle Universal Links and App Links correctly. Always test on physical devices.

4. Have a Web Fallback

Your deep link URL should also work in a browser. If https://myapp.com/register is opened in Safari, it should show your web registration page or redirect to the app store.

Common Deep Link Use Cases

Get Started with Deep Links Today

Deep links aren't just a nice-to-have anymore. They're the difference between a QR code that sort of works and one that drives real conversions.

With KuhArr, adding deep links to your QR codes takes seconds. Just enter your deep link URL alongside your app store URL, and we handle the smart routing automatically.