Deferred Deep Links in React Native

What are deferred deep links?

A deep link that survives the install. The user taps a campaign link (from web, social, email or QR), goes through the store if the app isn’t installed, and after installing opens your app with the original context restored.

Why they convert better

• Less friction: fewer steps between the click and the action.
• Personalized onboarding: open the exact product, cart, article, or promo.
• Cross-channel continuity: links work from web, email, QR, social, paid ads.

Setup (iOS & Android)

<intent-filter android:autoVerify="true">
  <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
  <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
  <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />
  <data android:scheme="https"
        android:host="{YOUR_ID}.sddl.me OR {your.custom.domain}"
        android:pathPrefix="/" />
</intent-filter>

Usage in React Native

Install the SDK and initialize once — it handles runtime links, initial link, and true cold start (deferred) flow.

// 1) Install
// npm i sddl-react-native-sdk
// npx pod-install   # iOS

// 2) Initialize once (e.g., in App.tsx)
import React, { useEffect } from 'react';
import { Sddl } from 'sddl-react-native-sdk';

export default function App() {
  useEffect(() => {
    Sddl.init({
      onSuccess: (payload) => {
        // Example routing:
        // if (payload.product_id) navigate('Product', { id: payload.product_id })
        console.log('SDDL payload:', payload);
      },
      onError: (msg) => console.warn('SDDL error:', msg),
    });
    return () => Sddl.dispose();
  }, []);

  return null;
}

That’s it — one init for open with link, open with initial link, and first launch after install.

Practical examples

Testing checklist

Troubleshooting

• Link opens in browser: verify iOS Associated Domains / Android App Links verification and reinstall the app.
• No payload in app: check that you use your verified domain and a valid link key.
• Multiple apps claim the domain: uninstall conflicting builds on the device.

FAQ