Universal Link
iOS’s verified HTTP(S) link mechanism for opening specific app destinations from a normal web URL.
Formal definition
An iOS Universal Link is an HTTP(S) URL associated with an app through an apple-app-site-association file so matching links can open in the app when installed.
Plain-English explanation
It is Apple’s version of a trusted app-opening link that still looks like an ordinary website URL.
Visual journey
Journey: an iPhone user taps a standard HTTPS URL, iOS trusts the associated domain, and the Universal Link opens the exact in-app screen directly instead of stopping in Safari first.
Examples
- https://go.example.com/invite opens the invite screen inside the iOS app.
- If the app is not installed, the same URL can continue to web or the App Store.
How it works
- The iOS app declares supported associated domains.
- The domain hosts an apple-app-site-association file that proves the relationship.
- Matching URLs can then open the app directly when the app is installed.
How Attriax uses it
- Attriax uses Universal Links as the preferred deep-link transport for iOS.
- This keeps links brandable, trustworthy, and consistent with web routing while still supporting app handoff.
- Universal Links are also a key part of smooth fallback and deferred deep-link journeys on Apple platforms.