How do you implement deep linking?

A deep link opens a specific screen from outside the app, such as an email, an ad or another app. There are two levels: a custom scheme such as myapp://, and verified links using universal links on iOS and app links on Android, which use https URLs.

import { NavigationContainer, LinkingOptions } from "@react-navigation/native";

const linking: LinkingOptions<RootStackParamList> = {
  prefixes: ["myapp://", "https://example.com"],
  config: {
    screens: {
      Home: "",
      Detail: "items/:id",
      Profile: "users/:userId",
    },
  },
};

export function App() {
  return (
    <NavigationContainer linking={linking}>
      <RootNavigator />
    </NavigationContainer>
  );
}

Checklist for reliable links

• Register the scheme in Info.plist and the intent filter in AndroidManifest
• Host apple-app-site-association and assetlinks.json for verified links
• Handle getInitialURL for cold starts and the url event for warm starts
• Parse and validate params, especially ids and redirect targets
• Test links with the app killed, backgrounded and already open

Authentication complicates deep links. If a link targets a protected screen, store the intended destination, send the user through login, then navigate after success. Do not navigate before the session is ready, or the guard will bounce the user back.