iosurlapp-storehyperlink

Create iOS link to an App in the app store - best way?

Here are my requirements:

    1. Create links to a single app in the app store
    2. Access the links either from inside an app, on the device generally (e.g. mail link) or from a PC (e.g. via facebook share link)
    3. Open links using iPhone or iPad running iOS 5+

I have done some digging around and come up with the following options:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=487547243

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/anyValue/id487547243?mt=8

http://itunes.com/apps/seligmanVenturesLtd/mouseTrapFree

http://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree

itms://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree

itms-apps://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree

Just wondering if one (or some) of these are better than other?

Thanks.

Solution

  • Ok, so have done a lot of research/testing and here is my conclusion:

    1. Links you use in your code should not rely on the 'current' name of you app, since this might change over time (e.g. Light Alarm Lite vs Light Alarm Free). Therefore the following 4 are out IMHO:
      http://itunes.com/apps/seligmanVenturesLtd/mouseTrapFree
      http://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree
      itms://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree
      itms-apps://itunes.com/apps/mouseTrapFree

    2. That leaves itunes and phobos URLs. I have just tested both URLs via the iOS 6 share functionality (so this might be different on iOS 5, but given numbers are reducing daily for that I dont really mind). I tested accessing via SMS, Email, Facebook, Twitter (on an iPhone 5 and using a Mac).

    Both url types produced near identical results, except for the following:

    Phobos: e.g. http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=346542660 + None - Sharing this link on facebook created a facebook link without any image... this was the showstopper for me that will mean I use iTunes urls going forward (see below).

    iTunes e.g. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/appName/id346542660?mt=8 + When opening link on iphone 'Mail' app the app store opened within the 'Mail' app and no tabs along the bottom appeared, so arguably this creates increased focus on your app - None

    In summary, I will be going with itunes type urls going forward. eg: e.g. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/appName/id346542660?mt=8
    (Note: you don't have to stipulate the '/appName' in this url, just keeping it as '/appName/' works fine, which means you dont have to worry if you app name changes over time.

    Cheers, Charlie