{"id":1785,"date":"2026-07-18T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tolinku.com\/blog\/?p=1785"},"modified":"2026-03-07T03:37:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T08:37:20","slug":"device-analytics-deep-links","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tolinku.com\/blog\/device-analytics-deep-links\/","title":{"rendered":"Device Analytics: Optimizing Deep Links by Platform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Deep links behave differently on iOS and Android. Universal Links and App Links have different implementation requirements, different failure modes, and different user experiences. Device analytics reveal these differences so you can fix platform-specific issues and optimize for each device type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide covers device-level analytics for deep links. For geographic analytics, see geographic analytics for deep link campaigns<\/a>. For targeting smart banners by device, see targeting smart banners by device, OS, and browser<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tolinku\nThe analytics breakdown grid with top routes, platforms, devices, and countries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Device Dimensions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Platform (OS)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Platform<\/th>\nDeep Link Technology<\/th>\nCommon Issues<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
iOS<\/td>\nUniversal Links<\/a><\/td>\nAASA file caching, in-app browser bypass, long-press menu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Android<\/td>\nApp Links<\/a><\/td>\nIntent filter conflicts, assetlinks.json verification, manufacturer customizations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Web (desktop)<\/td>\nStandard HTTP<\/td>\nFallback page quality, app store redirect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OS Version<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Older OS versions may not support the latest deep linking features:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>\niOS Minimum<\/th>\nAndroid Minimum<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Universal Links<\/td>\niOS 9+<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App Links<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nAndroid 6.0+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App Clips<\/td>\niOS 14+<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instant Apps<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nAndroid 5.0+<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SKAdNetwork 4.0<\/td>\niOS 16.1+<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Browser<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The browser the user clicks the deep link from affects behavior:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Browser<\/th>\niOS Behavior<\/th>\nAndroid Behavior<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Safari<\/td>\nUniversal Links work natively<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chrome (iOS)<\/td>\nUniversal Links work<\/td>\nApp Links work natively<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gmail (iOS)<\/td>\nOpens in-app browser first<\/td>\nApp Links work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instagram<\/td>\nIn-app browser, Universal Links often blocked<\/td>\nIn-app browser, App Links may work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Facebook<\/td>\nIn-app browser, Universal Links blocked<\/td>\nIn-app browser, App Links may work<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Twitter\/X<\/td>\nIn-app browser<\/td>\nIn-app browser<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Device Type<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Type<\/th>\nConsiderations<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Phone<\/td>\nPrimary target, standard deep link behavior<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tablet<\/td>\nSame as phone for most apps, but some apps are phone-only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop<\/td>\nFallback to website, no app open<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Smart TV<\/td>\nLimited deep link support, QR code fallback<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wearable<\/td>\nApp Clips (iOS), limited support<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Device Performance Metrics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Platform Comparison<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SELECT\n  platform,\n  COUNT(*) AS clicks,\n  ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN outcome = 'app_opened' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)::DECIMAL \/ COUNT(*) * 100, 1) AS open_rate,\n  ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN outcome = 'fallback' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)::DECIMAL \/ COUNT(*) * 100, 1) AS fallback_rate,\n  ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN outcome = 'store_redirect' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)::DECIMAL \/ COUNT(*) * 100, 1) AS store_rate,\n  ROUND(AVG(latency_ms), 0) AS avg_latency_ms\nFROM deep_link_clicks\nWHERE timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days'\nGROUP BY platform;\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
Platform<\/th>\nClicks<\/th>\nOpen Rate<\/th>\nFallback Rate<\/th>\nStore Rate<\/th>\nAvg Latency<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
iOS<\/td>\n22,000<\/td>\n74%<\/td>\n18%<\/td>\n8%<\/td>\n320ms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Android<\/td>\n18,000<\/td>\n68%<\/td>\n22%<\/td>\n10%<\/td>\n450ms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Desktop<\/td>\n5,000<\/td>\n0%<\/td>\n95%<\/td>\n5%<\/td>\n200ms<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Android's lower open rate (68% vs 74%) suggests App Links configuration issues or manufacturer-specific problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Browser Comparison<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SELECT\n  browser,\n  platform,\n  COUNT(*) AS clicks,\n  ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN outcome = 'app_opened' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)::DECIMAL \/ COUNT(*) * 100, 1) AS open_rate\nFROM deep_link_clicks\nWHERE platform IN ('ios', 'android')\n  AND timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days'\nGROUP BY browser, platform\nORDER BY clicks DESC;\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Browser<\/th>\nPlatform<\/th>\nClicks<\/th>\nOpen Rate<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Safari<\/td>\niOS<\/td>\n10,000<\/td>\n82%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chrome<\/td>\niOS<\/td>\n4,500<\/td>\n70%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gmail<\/td>\niOS<\/td>\n3,200<\/td>\n45%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instagram<\/td>\niOS<\/td>\n2,800<\/td>\n25%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chrome<\/td>\nAndroid<\/td>\n12,000<\/td>\n72%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Samsung Internet<\/td>\nAndroid<\/td>\n3,500<\/td>\n65%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gmail<\/td>\nAndroid<\/td>\n1,800<\/td>\n55%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Instagram<\/td>\nAndroid<\/td>\n700<\/td>\n30%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Instagram's in-app browser blocks Universal Links, causing a 25% open rate on iOS. This is a known limitation. Gmail's in-app browser also has reduced open rates (45% on iOS, 55% on Android).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OS Version Analysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
SELECT\n  os_version,\n  COUNT(*) AS clicks,\n  ROUND(SUM(CASE WHEN outcome = 'app_opened' THEN 1 ELSE 0 END)::DECIMAL \/ COUNT(*) * 100, 1) AS open_rate\nFROM deep_link_clicks\nWHERE platform = 'ios'\n  AND timestamp >= NOW() - INTERVAL '30 days'\nGROUP BY os_version\nORDER BY os_version DESC;\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Diagnosing Platform Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
iOS-Specific Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Symptom<\/th>\nPossible Cause<\/th>\nDiagnostic Query<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Open rate dropped on all iOS<\/td>\nAASA file issue<\/td>\nCheck if AASA returns 200 with correct content-type<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open rate low on iOS 17+ only<\/td>\nAASA format change<\/td>\nVerify AASA uses the modern format<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Low open rate from Gmail\/Instagram<\/td>\nIn-app browser<\/td>\nFilter analytics by browser<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open rate 0% for specific route<\/td>\nRoute not in AASA<\/td>\nVerify route pattern in AASA paths<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Android-Specific Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Symptom<\/th>\nPossible Cause<\/th>\nDiagnostic Query<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Open rate dropped on all Android<\/td>\nassetlinks.json issue<\/td>\nVerify at \/.well-known\/assetlinks.json<\/code><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Low open rate on Samsung devices<\/td>\nSamsung Internet handling<\/td>\nFilter by browser = 'Samsung Internet'<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Open rate varies by manufacturer<\/td>\nOEM-specific behavior<\/td>\nGroup by device manufacturer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
App opens but wrong screen<\/td>\nIntent filter misconfiguration<\/td>\nCheck route matching logic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Implementation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Extracting Device Info<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
function parseDeviceInfo(userAgent: string, headers: Record<string, string>): DeviceInfo {\n  return {\n    platform: detectPlatform(userAgent),\n    osVersion: extractOSVersion(userAgent),\n    browser: detectBrowser(userAgent),\n    deviceType: detectDeviceType(userAgent),\n    manufacturer: extractManufacturer(userAgent),\n    model: extractModel(userAgent),\n    isInAppBrowser: detectInAppBrowser(userAgent)\n  };\n}\n\nfunction detectInAppBrowser(ua: string): boolean {\n  const inAppPatterns = [\n    'FBAN', 'FBAV',           \/\/ Facebook\n    'Instagram',               \/\/ Instagram\n    'Twitter',                 \/\/ Twitter\/X\n    'Line\/',                   \/\/ LINE\n    'LinkedInApp',             \/\/ LinkedIn\n    'GSA\/',                    \/\/ Google Search App\n  ];\n  return inAppPatterns.some(p => ua.includes(p));\n}\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Device-Specific Routing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
function routeByDevice(click: ClickEvent): string {\n  const device = click.deviceInfo;\n\n  \/\/ In-app browser: redirect to a bounce page that triggers the Universal Link\n  if (device.isInAppBrowser && device.platform === 'ios') {\n    return `https:\/\/app.com\/open?redirect=${encodeURIComponent(click.deepLink)}`;\n  }\n\n  \/\/ Old Android without App Links support\n  if (device.platform === 'android' && parseFloat(device.osVersion) < 6.0) {\n    return `intent:\/\/${click.route}#Intent;scheme=myapp;package=com.myapp;end`;\n  }\n\n  \/\/ Standard deep link\n  return click.deepLink;\n}\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Optimization Strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
By Platform<\/h3>\n\n\n\n