How to Configure Android App Links

Introduction

Android App Links enable deep integration between your BuddyBoss App and your website, allowing members to open specific URLs directly in the app rather than a browser. By configuring App Links, you’ll create a seamless mobile experience, improve engagement, and ensure links to your community content always open in the correct context.

Obtaining Your SHA-256 Certificate Fingerprint

1. Log in to the Google Play Console with the account used for your Google Developer enrollment.
   
2. Under All apps, select your App ID.

3. In the Release tab, go to Setup > App Integrity > App signing.
   
4. Copy the SHA-256 certificate fingerprint for your App Signing Key. You’ll use this value in the BuddyBoss App settings.

Enabling Android App Links

1. In WordPress, navigate to BuddyBoss App > Configure > Android Settings > Android App Links.
   
2. Tick Enable Android App Links.
   
3. Under Links to Open, choose All or Specific links to open in the app.
   
   • Note: Android does not support excluding individual URLs.
     
4. If you use Google Play App Signing, paste your SHA-256 certificate fingerprint into Google Play Signing Certificate.
   
5. Click Save Changes.

6. Request a new Android build in BuddyBoss App > Build to apply your App Links configuration.
   

Verifying Your Asset Links JSON

To verify if a valid JSON is served after enabling the Android App Links option, go to the following URL in your browser:

{{your site url}}/.well-known/assetlinks.json/

For example:

Confirm the JSON includes an entry with your SHA-256 certificate fingerprint and package name.

Note: The file should list all App Signing keys you’ve added.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: Why aren’t links opening in the app after enabling App Links?
A:

• Ensure you generated a new Android build after saving App Links settings.
  
• Verify your assetlinks.json is publicly accessible at /.well-known/assetlinks.json.
  
• Clear any caching plugins or service caches that might serve an old JSON.
  

Q: I get a certificate mismatch error—what should I check?
A:

• Confirm you copied the SHA-256 fingerprint from App signing (not upload key).
  
• Make sure the fingerprint in assetlinks.json matches exactly the one in Android Settings.
  

Q: My assetlinks.json isn’t found (404 error).
A:

• Verify your web server or CDN serves the /.well-known directory and that assetlinks.json exists there.
  
• Ensure no trailing slashes or typos in the URL.
  

Q: Can I disable App Links without rebuilding?
A:

• You must uncheck Enable Android App Links and save, then generate a new Android build to remove the App Links configuration.