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I have a dev version of my app that is not published in the Play Store. I would like to test dynamic links with it, but whenever I click a dynamic link, it opens the play store, and I get a not found error (because there is no corresponding package in the Play Store).

What's the recommended way of testing this? It would also apply to staging environments, etc... that are not published.

Eliezer
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2 Answers2

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I was able to test it like this:

  • I published a closed alpha version of an app - open only to my email (beta should work just the same)
  • Opted in via the opt-in link in the developer console (it's on the APK section)

After that, clicking the dynamic link I created on the Firebase console worked as expected, without having my app out in the open.

Caveats:

  • Connected Google users - might cause a problem if only one is on the alpha group list
  • It takes a bit of time to get started. Make sure you can see the app in Google Play before trying to click the link
  • Updates, fixes and changes take time until they actually appear on Google Play. Google Play now offers internal testing, a level below alpha that propagates updates quicker.
Itai Hanski
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    It's unfortunate that your answer is the only one that works for me so far. We have a different package per developer here so that could get out of control pretty quickly. Hopefully someone from Firebase has a solution that doesn't require that. – Eliezer Aug 03 '16 at 13:33
  • Hi, I'm a PM on Firebase Dynamic Links. Take a look at my answer below and let me know if this solves your problem. – Ben Sandler Jun 12 '17 at 21:47
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The other answer above is technically correct, but you can get close to simulating the real behavior without putting anything on the Google Play Store.

  • If your application is installed, the dynamic link will open your application. This is true even if your app is not listed on the Play Store. If this is not working for you, your app is not properly set up to receive dynamic links.
  • If your application is not installed, you will be taken to the Play Store and you will see app not found. After, you can sideload the app to simulate a Play Store install.
Ben Sandler
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    It works on Android, but it is not working on iOS though. Could you please tell how can I test the same on iOS end. – Jassi May 13 '19 at 12:36
  • My project was already using firebase features, but not dynamic links, Is it required to update the google-service.json file once the dynamic link is enable on my project and on firebase console? – DaniloDeQueiroz Oct 30 '19 at 17:39
  • Hi @Jassi and all, did you find any way to test dynamic link with TestFlight. Could you please share if you got any other way, facing the same problem here from recent 20 days? – Vikas S Nov 08 '19 at 13:44
  • @Ben Sandler can you please add more briefing about testing dynamic link without uploading at playstore – Usman Rana Nov 22 '21 at 06:58