Gmail links not launching React Native app screen while ADB command works

Other Questions Gmail
1

I’m having trouble with deep linking in my React Native application. I set up deep linking to navigate users to a password reset screen when they click a link from an email. The weird thing is that when I test the deep link using ADB commands, everything works perfectly and the app opens to the correct screen. But when users click the same link from Gmail, nothing happens.

const resetUrl = `${process.env.APP_BASE_URL}/${tokenValue}`;
console.log("Generated URL: ", resetUrl);

await emailService(
    userEmail,
    'Password Reset Request',
    `Use this link to reset your password: ${resetUrl}`,
    `
      <div style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 20px;">
        <h3>Password Reset</h3>
        <p>Click below to reset your password:</p>
        <a href="${resetUrl}" style="
          padding: 10px 15px;
          background: #007bff;
          color: #ffffff;
          text-decoration: none;
          border-radius: 3px;
          display: inline-block;
        ">
          Reset Password
        </a>
        <p>Ignore this email if you didn't request a reset.</p>
      </div>
    `
);

I’ve verified that both the ADB test and Gmail link use identical URLs. What could be causing Gmail links to fail while terminal commands work fine?

2

Yes, encountering issues with email clients and custom URL schemes is quite common. Gmail secures its links using their Safe Browsing mechanism, which often disrupts deep linking functionality. A solution that worked for me was to eliminate custom URL schemes and implement universal links for iOS and app links for Android. This requires domain verification and hosting the apple-app-site-association file on your server. Essentially, configure your app to respond to HTTPS URLs from your domain rather than using custom schemes. This way, when users click the link, it first directs to your website and then seamlessly redirects to your app if it’s installed. Gmail treats these as standard web links, circumventing the security issues that arise with custom schemes. While it demands a bit more initial setup, it’s significantly more reliable across different email clients.

3

Gmail’s security blocks custom URL schemes. When you click links in Gmail, they go through Google’s link protection service first, which strips or changes custom schemes before they hit your device. ADB commands work because they skip Gmail completely. Check that your app’s intent filters handle both the custom scheme and HTTP/HTTPS versions. Also make sure your APP_BASE_URL environment variable uses a web URL that redirects to your app scheme - don’t use the custom scheme URL directly. Most developers fix this by creating a web landing page that auto-redirects to the app scheme. Works way better across different email clients.

4

Had the exact same problem last month! Gmail’s app opens links in its own browser instead of handing them off to Android properly. Add android:autoVerify=“true” to your manifest intent filters and double-check your domain verification setup. Also make sure users actually have your app set as the default handler for those URLs in their Android settings.