Opening app in Google Play from a redirect link

Question

On an Android device, opening a link to an app on Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rovio.angrybirds&hl=en

will automatically open the Google Play app by default.

But if you have a link that redirects to the Google Play link, the device opens the browser and then navigates to the browser version of Google Play. Why does this behavior occur?

Unfortunately I cannot use the market:// with Intents which can open Play, I have only control over a web link.

edit: Seems like if I have the link redirect to the market:// url, it can open with Google Play on device.

If link is opened in browser, somehow it is able to redirect to browser version of Google Play despite market:// not being supported in browser.

Solution 1

Basically, the https://play.... is just a web URL. I suspect the way this works (which is the way standard way Android works) is:

1. The Market Play App registers to be able to handle URLs of this kind (you can register to handle certain intents, and apply filters to further define what your app will handle).
2. The app launches the Intent with the https://play... URL
3. The User is presented with a list of all apps that are registered to handle that intent. SO, the User is able to launch the Play App - the first time (on the phone) the https:\play... intent is launched
4. When the user chooses which app to fulfill the Intent, if they select Browser (then set it as a default) - the Browser will launch (and will not offer the user the option the next time).
5. This default can be by: "Settings\Applications\All - Then find the Browser App, select it, and then select Clear Defaults"

You can either call the Play Market directly with the market intent, or use the URL way. I personally use the URL way - even though there are some additional challenges to use it (like handling this particular issue).

Solution 2

Use target="_top"

 <a href="market://details?id={package_name}" target="_top">App</a>

Solution 3

My guess would be that the behaviour is enforced by Google. Redirects would potentially make it easier for developers with bad intentions to install their apps. Google probably checks if the user comes from a redirect, and if yes it doesn't trigger opening of the Play app.

Comments

[nicobatu]

Also strange: redirecting to market.android.com/details?id= instead of the Google Play domain allows the device to prompt to open with Play app.

[Sulfkain]

The problem is that the browser don't do another intent when he gets a "market://" url. So the google Play app is not able. I see on some devices, the browser do that and when you redirect to a "market://" url the googlePlay app is open. It's Browser stuff

[Snivio]

Try firebase dynamic links see if it helps in your use case

[nicobatu]

This is not redirecting anything, it's just going straight to the market url.

[arslan haktic]

how can we avoid that, i want to open my app from a redirect link, but when it goes into browser it didn't open my application. Any Help?

[abedfar]

Works like a charm. I'd like to go further though. It opens the selector pop-up, from which user should select google play app from other market apps on the device. It would be very nice to skip the selector and directly open google play. Is it possible?

[Richard Fu]

market:// not working in new Chrome but the rest browser in Android, anyone have a better solution?

[151291]

how to open app if already installed without redirect playstore?

[151291]

how to open app if already installed without redirect playstore?

[Booger]

Ask this as a real question, not as a comment to another question.

[Roman]

@arslanhaktic did you find a solution?

[David Riha]

@RichardFu you are right, it does not work if you type the url in the Chrome, but fortunately, it works if it's opened by clicking on the link, which is enough for my use case