Universal Link works directly but not via redirect on iOS 18 and above

Hi @DTS Engineer , according to the Apple documentation:

"Redirection is allowed, although not preferred, when opening universal links from another app. If the link tapped by the user is not a universal link but redirects to one, the user will be routed through the web browser to the app."

It doesn't state that a redirect will prevent the universal link from working.

Can you please clarify should we completely stop using redirects link in order to work because yes without redirect link its working but we have a business requirement we need redirect links ?

@ankitpunchh

I believe you have addressed your own inquiry in the preceding statement.

We recommend not to use redirects the important sentence here is "Redirection is allowed, although not preferred" and then you clarified that "because yes without redirect link its working”. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/technotes/tn3155-debugging-universal-links#Host-and-verify-your-AASA

There are various methods for redirecting, including those at different layers, such as HTTP, JavaScript, and HTML. The documentation tries to reflect these different approaches in a concise and simple sentence.

I recommend disabling the redirect link if it is hindering the registration process. Alternatively, explore alternative redirection methods that do not disrupt the registration to Universal Links. Please feel free to implement your own solution. This is my personal suggestion to resolve the issue.

Albert Pascual
  Worldwide Developer Relations.

Hi, I’m still not sure what we can rely on for our use case.

Our flow:

• The user taps a link on our domain (link.example.com/path) and that URL is not a Universal Link.
• Our server responds with an HTTP 302 to a different domain that is a Universal Link.
• The client (Safari) follows the redirect and loads that Universal Link URL.

We need to know: on iOS 18.3+, will the system open our app when the user ends up on that Universal Link URL after this 302, or will they stay in the browser / go to the App Store?

After reading this thread and the document I'm confused because we have:

• Documentation that allows (but doesn’t prefer) redirect to a Universal Link

• Forum guidance to avoid redirects.

• Your suggestion to “explore alternative redirection methods” and “implement your own solution,” without specifying what method works and which not.

We have a business requirement to use a short link that redirects to the Universal Link, so we would appreciate a response.

Thanks!

@ramprajapat Can you please create a new post with the link to your AASA file and the logs and description of the issue. Thanks

Albert Pascual
  Worldwide Developer Relations.

@francobor

Please check the Tech Note as explains that HTTP 302 are not allowed:

Our server responds with an HTTP 302 to a different domain that is a Universal Link.

TN3155: Debugging universal links | Apple Developer Documentation#Host-and-verify-your-AASA

Albert Pascual
  Worldwide Developer Relations.