Production deep linking in Expo apps: a four-layer checklist for developers
Deep links in mobile apps frequently fail in production due to issues across three layers: OS domain association, route mapping, and app state handling at launch. Common failure modes include links opening in the browser instead of the app, landing on the wrong screen, dropping the destination during cold starts, or losing navigation context after an authentication redirect. Custom URL schemes like otfkit:// are convenient for testing but unsuitable for production, as any app can claim them and their behavior in email or messaging clients is inconsistent. Universal links — using HTTPS URLs backed by hosted verification files on both Android and iOS — provide ownership proof and graceful fallback to a website when the app is not installed. Developers building with Expo Router are advised to define their URL structure early, use universal links for production, and explicitly handle cold-start and unauthenticated deep-link paths as first-class cases.
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