100 - Creating and Handling Dynamic Links in Apps in Firebase

Seamless User Experiences: Creating and Handling Dynamic Links in Firebase

Firebase Dynamic Links provide a powerful way to create deep links that guide users to specific content within your app. In this guide, we’ll explore how to create and handle Dynamic Links in your mobile apps using Firebase, ensuring a smooth and personalized user experience.

Creating Dynamic Links

Dynamic Links are links that adapt to a user’s platform and context, whether they are using iOS, Android, or the web. To create Dynamic Links in Firebase, follow these steps:

1. Set Up Firebase Project

If you haven’t already, create a Firebase project and add your app to it. Make sure to integrate the Firebase SDK into your mobile app.

2. Configure Dynamic Links

In the Firebase Console, navigate to the Dynamic Links section and set up your Dynamic Links domain. This domain is where your links will be hosted.

3. Customize Link Behavior

Define the behavior of your Dynamic Links. You can specify how they handle different scenarios, such as when the app is already installed, when it’s not installed, or when the user is on a web browser.

Example: Creating a Dynamic Link

Let’s say you have a travel app, and you want to create a Dynamic Link for a special travel deal. Here’s a sample code snippet for creating a Dynamic Link in Android:


    // Sample code for creating a Dynamic Link in Android
    FirebaseDynamicLinks.getInstance().createDynamicLink()
        .setLink(Uri.parse("https://www.yourtravelapp.com/specialdeal"))
        .setDomainUriPrefix("https://yourtravelapp.page.link")
        .setAndroidParameters(
            new DynamicLink.AndroidParameters.Builder("com.yourtravelapp")
                .setMinimumVersion(1)
                .build())
        .buildShortDynamicLink()
        .addOnCompleteListener(task -> {
            if (task.isSuccessful()) {
                Uri shortLink = task.getResult().getShortLink();
                // Use the shortLink to share with users
            }
        });

Handling Dynamic Links

Once you’ve created Dynamic Links, you need to handle them within your app to provide a seamless experience for your users. Here’s how to do it:

1. Detecting Dynamic Links

In your app, you should implement code to detect incoming Dynamic Links. This code checks if a Dynamic Link was used to open your app and extracts the link’s data.

Example: Handling Dynamic Links in iOS

If you’re developing an iOS app, you can use the following code to handle Dynamic Links:


    // Sample code for handling Dynamic Links in iOS
    if let incomingURL = userActivity.webpageURL {
        let dynamicLinks = DynamicLinks.dynamicLinks()
        let handled = dynamicLinks.handleUniversalLink(incomingURL) { dynamicLink, error in
            // Handle the Dynamic Link here
        }
    }

2. Extracting Data

Once you’ve detected a Dynamic Link, you can extract data from it. This data may include information about the content or context that the link represents.

Example: Extracting Data

If your Dynamic Link points to a specific product, you can extract the product ID to display the relevant product within your app.


    // Sample code for extracting data from a Dynamic Link
    let productID = dynamicLink?.url?.getQueryParameter("productID")
    // Use the productID to display the relevant product

3. Navigating Users

After extracting data, you can use it to navigate users to the appropriate content within your app. For example, if the Dynamic Link points to a particular article, open that article in your app.

Example: Navigating Users

If the Dynamic Link points to a specific travel deal in your app, you can navigate the user to that deal’s page for more details.


    // Sample code for navigating users based on Dynamic Link data
    val intent = Intent(applicationContext, DealDetailsActivity::class.java)
    intent.putExtra("dealID", dealID)
    startActivity(intent)

Conclusion

Firebase Dynamic Links enable you to create and handle deep links in your app, offering users a personalized and seamless experience. By following the steps for creating and handling Dynamic Links, you can enhance user engagement and drive users to specific content within your app.

100 – Creating and Handling Dynamic Links in Apps in Firebase