Universal App Opener

A zero-dependency JavaScript library that converts standard HTTP URLs (YouTube, LinkedIn) into Native Mobile Deep Links (Custom Schemes & Android Intents).

Installation

npm install universal-app-opener

pnpm add universal-app-opener

yarn add universal-app-opener

Usage

One-Click Open (Recommended)

The simplest way to open a link - automatically detects platform and opens the appropriate app or web URL:

import { openLink } from 'universal-app-opener';

openLink('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ');

With options:

import { openLink } from 'universal-app-opener';

openLink('https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamsaban/', {
  fallbackToWeb: true, // Fallback to web if app not installed (default: true)
  fallbackDelay: 2500, // Delay before fallback in ms (default: 2500)
  openInNewTab: false, // Open web URL in new tab (default: false)
});

Advanced Usage

If you need more control, you can use the lower-level APIs:

import { generateDeepLink, detectOS } from 'universal-app-opener';

const result = generateDeepLink('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ');
const os = detectOS();

if (os === 'ios' && result.ios) {
  window.location.href = result.ios;
} else if (os === 'android' && result.android) {
  window.location.href = result.android;
} else {
  window.open(result.webUrl, '_blank');
}

CommonJS Usage

const { openLink, generateDeepLink } = require('universal-app-opener');

openLink('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ');

API Reference

openLink(url: string, options?: OpenLinkOptions): void

Opens a URL in the appropriate app or browser. Automatically detects platform and handles deep linking.

Parameters:

• url (string): The web URL to open (YouTube or LinkedIn)
• options (optional): Configuration object
  • fallbackToWeb (boolean): Fallback to web URL if app not installed (default: true)
  • fallbackDelay (number): Delay in milliseconds before fallback (default: 2500)
  • openInNewTab (boolean): Open web URL in new tab (default: false)

Example:

openLink('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ');

generateDeepLink(url: string): DeepLinkResult

Converts a web URL into platform-specific deep links. Returns the deep link data without opening it.

Parameters:

• url (string): The web URL to convert (YouTube or LinkedIn)

Returns:

interface DeepLinkResult {
  webUrl: string; // Original web URL
  ios: string | null; // iOS deep link (custom scheme)
  android: string | null; // Android deep link (intent URL)
  platform: 'youtube' | 'linkedin' | 'unknown';
}

Supported Platforms:

• YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=* and youtu.be/*
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/*

detectOS(): 'ios' | 'android' | 'desktop'

Detects the current operating system based on user agent.

Returns:

• 'ios' - iPhone, iPad, or iPod
• 'android' - Android devices
• 'desktop' - Desktop browsers or unknown

Examples

YouTube Video

const result = generateDeepLink('https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdgwH614LM0');
// result.ios: 'vnd.youtube://watch?v=BdgwH614LM0'
// result.android: 'intent://watch?v=BdgwH614LM0#Intent;scheme=vnd.youtube;package=com.google.android.youtube;end'

LinkedIn Profile

const result = generateDeepLink('https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamsaban/');
// result.ios: 'linkedin://in/iamsaban'
// result.android: 'intent://in/iamsaban#Intent;scheme=linkedin;package=com.linkedin.android;end'

Unknown URL

const result = generateDeepLink('https://example.com');
// result.ios: null
// result.android: null
// result.platform: 'unknown'

Demo

Try it out: Live Demo

License

MIT