App Links – make links open in the app
Let an ordinary HTTPS link from your website open directly in the app instead of the browser — choose domains, generate the files, and test the setup
App Links (Universal Links)
Go to App Links in starti.app ManagerWhat are App Links?
App Links (also called Universal Links) let an ordinary HTTPS link from your website — for example a link in a push notification — open directly in the app instead of the browser. If the app isn't installed, the link simply opens the website as normal instead.
On this page you do two things:
- Choose which domains and paths should open the app
- Generate and host some files on your domain — and test that it works
App Links is an optional feature. If you can't see the page in the menu (under Development), it isn't enabled for your app yet — get in touch and we'll turn it on.
1. Choose domains and paths
Under Domains you add the links that should open the app:
- Domain — e.g.
example.com - Path (optional) — e.g.
/notifications, so only links under that path open the app
Always set a path if you can. If you leave the path field empty, the app tries to capture every link on the domain — including normal web pages and login/payment flows. That can interrupt regular browsing and break things like signing in with Google or Apple. Always limit it to the path you need.
If you add a rule that is already covered by a broader rule on the same domain, Manager marks it as redundant so you can remove it again.
2. Host the files on your domain, and test
Under Files for .well-known/, Manager generates the files the phone uses to verify the connection between website and app:
- apple-app-site-association — for iOS
- assetlinks.json — for Android
This section is split into two steps.
Step 1: Insert the files
Copy or download each file and place it in the .well-known/ folder on your domain, so it can be fetched directly over HTTPS.
The files must be served directly, with no redirect, and with Content-Type application/json. Apple and Android won't accept a file that sits behind a redirect.
Step 2: Test the setup
Click Test all domains (or Test next to a single domain). Manager fetches the files you've hosted and checks, among other things, that:
- The file can be fetched over HTTPS and returns HTTP 200
- There is no redirect
- The Content-Type is
application/jsonand the content is valid JSON - The file contains the app's identifiers, and the path matches your setup
If all domains pass the test, you're ready — the links will open in the app the next time the app is built.