Deeplink (in-app browsers)

What it solves: When someone taps your link inside Instagram, TikTok, or X, it opens in their in-app browser — a stripped-down browser that breaks logins, cookies, and payments. Deeplink routes them to their real browser instead.

The problem

Every major social app has an in-app browser (IAB): Instagram’s, TikTok’s, X’s, etc. These browsers:

• Don’t share cookies with Safari or Chrome → logins fail, checkout sessions break
• May block third-party cookies → affiliate tracking breaks
• Show a different URL bar → users feel less safe and bounce
• Can’t complete Apple Pay / Google Pay flows

The result: lower conversions even for visitors who are interested.

What OnLynk does

When deeplink is enabled on your link page, OnLynk detects common in-app browser environments and redirects the visitor to their default system browser (Safari on iOS, Chrome or the default browser on Android) using platform-specific URL schemes.

The redirect is transparent to the visitor — they land on the same destination, just in a browser that works properly.

Supported platforms

Platform	In-app browser	Deeplink support
Instagram	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
TikTok	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
X (Twitter)	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
Threads	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
Facebook	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
Telegram	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
LinkedIn	✓ IAB	✓ Supported
YouTube	✓ IAB (partial)	✓ Supported
WhatsApp	Links open externally by default	Not needed
Standard browser	No IAB	Not applicable

Note: Platform app updates may change IAB behavior. OnLynk tracks these changes and updates its deeplink logic accordingly — no action needed on your end.

iOS vs Android behavior

OS	Default browser	Deeplink method
iOS	Safari	Universal Links / custom URL schemes
Android	Chrome (or user default)	Intent URLs / googlechrome:// schemes
Android (Samsung)	Samsung Internet	Fallback to Chrome scheme

On iOS, the redirect typically opens Safari seamlessly. On Android, behavior can vary slightly depending on which browser is set as default and the app version.

Fallback behavior

When a deeplink attempt cannot be completed (older app version, unsupported device, blocked scheme):

1. The visitor stays in the in-app browser
2. The original link destination still loads
3. No error is shown to the visitor

There is no dead-end — deeplink either succeeds or degrades gracefully to normal behavior.

Configuration

Enable deeplink in the link editor:

1. Open your link page in the dashboard → Edit
2. Find the Deeplink toggle (requires a plan that includes deeplink)
3. Enable it and Save

See Create your first link page for the full editor field reference.

How to test deeplink

1. Share your onlynk.me/<slug> link in an Instagram DM (or Story, or Post) to yourself
2. Tap the link inside the Instagram app — the in-app browser opens briefly
3. You should be redirected to Safari (iOS) or your default browser (Android)
4. Compare the experience with deeplink off: the page stays inside Instagram’s in-app browser

Tip: Test on both iOS and Android if your audience uses both platforms. The behavior can differ slightly between them.

Works with other features

Deeplink is compatible with and enhanced by:

• Direct link — Deeplink + direct link = the visitor exits the IAB and skips the OnLynk landing page, going straight to your destination
• AI Shield — Bots are never redirected by deeplink; only real browsers are
• Analytics — REDIRECT events are still recorded even when deeplink is active

Related

• Glossary — Definition of deeplink and in-app browser
• Direct link — When to use a landing page vs a naked URL redirect
• AI Shield — How bots are handled in redirect flows