How to launch an android/ios app,which is already in production, from javascript, if not present redirects to playstore/app store?

Question

So there is this app already in production, now I need to create a webpage which will detect if the app is present. If so, it will launch the app, if not, it will redirect to the app store.

The problem is, since the app is already in production, I cannot make any changes to the manifest.xml to add any extra intents.

How do I go about this using javascript?

I have checked the manifest.xml file of the app. This is an excerpt from there if it is helpful :

<intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.VIEW" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT" />
                <category android:name="android.intent.category.BROWSABLE" />
                <data android:scheme="@string/CFBundleURLSchemes" />
</intent-filter>

check new option without change in your manifest file below with firebase @Diparati sen — Vishal Patel, Apr 19 '17 at 12:23
@VishalPatel Yes, checking that out. Have you tried it, and has it worked for you? — Diparati Sen, Apr 19 '17 at 12:49

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 19 '17 at 10:35

0

i think you need to add one more line try this.

 <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />

answered Apr 19 '17 at 10:35

Hasmukh kachhatiya

450
4
12

Thanks for your input! The problem is, I am not allowed to touch the manifest file. I have to do whatever I have to through javascript. – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 10:37
are using android studio? – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 10:40
No, I am using Eclipse IDE. – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 10:41
ok but in eclipse you can access file and change it manually – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 10:42
I can change the file, but I don't have the authority to do that until and unless it is the only option. The app is already in production, making changes to its manifest is not recommended unless absolutely required. Is there no other way I could do the app detection, without touching the manifest.xml? – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 10:44
if your application is in app store recently and you have to update it then you can change your xml file and generate new apk and upload to play store there is no other way – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 10:48
Thanks so much for your input. – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 10:50
welcome you can follow @nitinpatel answer may be help you – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 10:51
This is another excerpt from the manifest.xml file. Will this do? ` ` – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 11:06
ya its correct for launching activity or home activity – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 11:07
But do I need to add anything to this intent filter for it to work for the app detection? I am sorry if I am sounding confused, because I really am new to this. – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 11:09
have you look this http://stackoverflow.com/questions/31404341/how-to-open-android-application-from-a-webpage or http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3469908/make-a-link-in-the-android-browser-start-up-my-app – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 11:13
also look http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6139508/launching-an-android-application-from-the-browser or http://stackoverflow.com/questions/21663001/launching-custom-android-application-from-android-browser-chrome – Hasmukh kachhatiya Apr 19 '17 at 11:16

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:54

0

I think below links will help you for your problem..

how-to-open-android-application-from-a-webpage

open-android-application-from-a-web-page

edited May 23 '17 at 11:54

Community

1
1

answered Apr 19 '17 at 10:48

Nitin Patel

1,461
11
28

Thanks for your inputs! Although, I saw that according to both the threads, the manifest file needs to be changed. So is that the only option? – Diparati Sen Apr 19 '17 at 11:03
I have not tried yet, but as per my knowledge and experience, add that code( – Nitin Patel Apr 19 '17 at 11:08

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 19 '17 at 12:15

Yes, it's good Question most of the people do more stuff for that.
But google-firebase provide one service that's call "Dynamic Links".

Dynamic link having lots of use but you can try it for your problem.

lets having some easy setup for that

1) Open firebase and make a project for it.
after that select dynamic link option.

2) Add your app in firebase and complete the configuration.

3) setup with your play-store URL.

and select "Define link behavior for Android" option. make whatever you want.

4) after completing all process

5) this generated link is all about with your PACKAGE-NAME
so whenever you click on webpage Link from mobile. it have automatically created two options.

if app available in mobile open app
if app not available in mobile open playstore with your app.

Happy coding :)

Thanks, looks quite good! However, when I try to create a new project in firebase, I get the following error : `There was an unknown error while processing the request. Try again.` Do you know why that is? — Diparati Sen, Apr 19 '17 at 12:40
The project got created by using incognito browser. Trying it out now. Is using Android Studio mandatory for Firebase to work? — Diparati Sen, Apr 19 '17 at 12:51

How to launch an android/ios app,which is already in production, from javascript, if not present redirects to playstore/app store?

3 Answers3