What do successful applications like The New York Times, Alibaba, and Duolingo have in common? They all leveraged Firebase to develop their app and boost user engagement.
Firebase, Google’s cloud-based mobile and web app development platform has helped mobile app developers build, deploy, and scale apps. This powerful backend as a service (BaaS) platform has a suite of tools and services for app developers.
But in September 2023, Google announced they would shut down Firebase dynamic links on August 25, 2025. Thus, app developers have until this date to complete their migration.
Open-source software like Apptrove has several advantages over proprietary software like Firebase deep linking which is soon to shut. In this post, we will share all the information you need to effortlessly migrate your dynamic links within 5 minutes.
Let’s get started.
What Is Dynamic Linking?
Dynamic links are shorter replacement links (like a smart URL) that behave differently on the platform on which they are opened. The aim is to offer the best possible user experience for the platform the user opens the link on. The mobile app developer determines the behavior of these links.
So, if an app user opens the link on iOS or Android, the URL directly takes them to specific content within the mobile app, not the browser. If the app isn’t installed on the mobile, they are redirected to the website.
Firebase ‘dynamic link’ is a feature that allows app developers to create deep links that direct users to specific content within the app or website. Based on the context around which a link is clicked, the smart URLs determine the best destination for the user.
Thus, dynamic links ensure a smooth transition between web and mobile app content, thereby improving UX and conversion rates. The app owner can also leverage these links to target users based on their preferences, online behavior, and other factors. This ensures an unmatched app experience.
Why Do Apps Need Dynamic Links?
Here’s why all app owners and developers need dynamic links –
- To offer the best available experience on the platform users access the link on. They streamline navigation and make the experience faster and more intuitive by eliminating unnecessary steps.
- To grow app installs and increase user base – if the app isn’t installed and the user clicks on the dynamic link, they get prompted to install it.
- To track analytics on events like clicks, first opens, re-opens, and installs, app developers can embed dynamic links with UTM parameters. This enables them to measure engagement, conversions, and more, which helps in optimizing marketing campaigns.
Deep Links versus Dynamic Links
The terms ‘deep links’ and ‘dynamic links’ are often used interchangeably but it’s important to understand the difference.
Deep Links
These are direct routes to specific content spots within the app. They eliminate the frustration of landing on the home page and forcing the user to endlessly navigate through the menu.
A single click takes the user to the desired feature, thus ensuring a seamless experience. That’s because deep links function as unique addresses that guide users to the needed destination. However, deep links direct the user to specific content, assuming the app is already installed.
Dynamic Links
Dynamic links are smart links that adapt. They do everything that a deep link Firebase does but are super adaptable – they adapt their destination based on the context and who clicks them.
For instance, if your app has introduced a new feature and you are promoting it. Dynamic links will allow you to create a single link that works differently for a click received from a mobile or a desktop. Dynamic links also have features like triggering custom events or using segmentation rules to automatically categorize users.
Simply put, dynamic links extend deep linking capabilities. While Firebase deep linking gets users to the content they need, dynamic links work across platforms, regardless of whether the app is installed or not.
The Technical Mechanism of Dynamic Linking
We just saw that dynamic links are deep links that work whether or not users have installed the app. These links use a unique URL structure, backend, and frontend mechanism. Let’s look at them in detail.
Backend Processing: When the app user clicks on a link, the backend interprets the URL and parameters like user ID or product ID. These parameters share information on where to direct the user.
Frontend Configurations: Once the backend captures the parameters and routes the user, the frontend takes over. It ensures that the user lands on the screen or feature they seek, minimizes the loading time, ensures cohesive navigation, and manages errors that may get in the way of the user experience.
The Firebase Problem
Firebase announcing the deprecation of dynamic links means that on August 25, 2024, your domain prefixes and any created links will be automatically removed. Firebase will not be available.
All links they serve (including the ones hosted on custom domains and page.link subdomains) will no longer work or be available to create new links.
Google introduced Firebase Dynamic Links to make URLs more powerful. However, the native APIs on which these were built have evolved. This presents novel challenges for developers while negatively impacting the user experience.
Hence, you need to take the following steps –
- Review your use cases where deep links are being used and look for alternative solutions. This could be –
- Native Alternatives like app links, Google Play Instant, universal links, or app clips. OR
- Third-Party Alternatives that offer similar functionality to Firebase dynamic links like Apptrove.
- Consider complete migration from Firebase.
- Delete domain prefixes from Firebase Dynamic Links after a successful migration
Apptrove: The Perfect Solution for Your Deep Linking Needs
Moving from Firebase to Apptrove can completely transform the deep linking game for your app. You can not just create compelling experiences but also boost campaign performance and expand your user base.
Apptrove proves to be a worthy alternative to Firebase Dynamic Links because its intuitive deep linking makes it easy to manage the complexity across platforms, channels, and use cases with a laser focus on ROAS analytics.
With Apptrove’s Unilinks you can create a ‘single’ link where your users will be redirected to the page you want them to visit.
Create a UniLink template that represents various links to redirect your user based on conditions like –
- New users who do not have your app installed to the correct app store or web URL.
- Existing users with the app installed to the app via Android App Links, iOS Universal Links, and URI scheme.
- If these are not defined, users will default to the same settings as new users without your app installed (web URL or app store).
You can add advanced parameters such as Campaign, Ad set name, Ad name, Channel, and your custom parameters. Click on “Add parameter” for this.
Unleash the power of deep linking to –
- Seamlessly connect users to your app.
- Offer the most relevant in-app experiences with pinpoint accuracy, driving conversions to unprecedented heights.
- Leverage customizable fraud prevention.
- Go beyond basic attribution with our SKAN analytics. This offers a granular understanding of your audience with advanced segmentation features.
Simple 5-Minute Hack to Migrate to Apptrove
Step 1 – Set up Your Account
Apptrove’s single lightweight open-source SDK ensures enhanced flexibility with secured industry-leading encryption and unique signature. It offers unparalleled customization, empowering you to effortlessly integrate our features into your app’s ecosystem.
Thus, you don’t have to juggle multiple SDKs that ultimately impact the app’s performance.
All you need to do is add our SDK to your app and set up your domain. Our dynamic deep links are suited for every campaign and partner.
Step 2 – Data Migration
Use Apptrove’s API to map and bulk upload your deep links and campaign information. You can also run Apptrove alongside your existing Firebase setup. Once the Apptrove SDK is integrated into your app, our platform can detect which links lead to installs, re-opens, and user actions.
Step 3 – Track and Measure Performance
Once the integration is complete, you can go live and get granular insights into app performance, LTV, and more.
The Unilink report will offer insights into the Unilink template and customer link data. This you can track stats related to clicks, installs, sessions, events, revenue, and more.
Summing Up
If you’ve relied on Google’s Firebase Dynamic Links for your app, we understand how frustrating it is to let go of a platform you’ve been comfortably using. However, the need of the hour is to migrate from Firebase to a dependable solution that can allow –
- Quick and simple onboarding
- Firebase feature parity
- Scalability in the long-term
- Enhanced anti-fraud features that meticulously safeguard your data against fraudulent installs, misattribution, and click-spam.
Apptrove is powered with a cutting-edge suite of dynamic deep-linking solutions that ensure seamless user experience and boost conversion rates and engagement. Our clients
If Firebase deprecation is your problem, we are all ears and here to help! Our team of experienced developers and account managers will help migrate your data without any losses or duplication. Get in touch with our team for expert consultation and learn more about our free trial.
