Deferred deep link vs deep link
A deep link opens a screen inside an app that is already installed. A deferred deep link does the same even when the app is not installed yet: the person installs first, and the app then opens on the right screen. This page puts the two side by side.
On this page
- What a deep link does
- What a deferred deep link adds
- Which one do you need?
- How Vela Links does both
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a deep link and a deferred deep link?
A deep link opens a screen inside an app that is already installed. A deferred deep link also works when the app is not installed: the person installs it first, and the app then opens on that screen.
Do I need an SDK for deep links?
A basic deep link is handled by the operating system, so the app only needs to read the link. A deferred deep link needs an SDK, because the app has to ask which link the person came from after the install.
Does a deferred deep link also work if the app is installed?
Yes. It behaves like a normal deep link and opens the screen straight away.
Is the match exact on iOS and Android?
On Android the match is exact. On iOS it is best-effort when the clipboard token is unavailable.
Can I use QR codes with deferred deep links?
Yes. Scanning a QR code works like tapping a link, including the install-then-open path, and every scan is counted.