Mobile App Testing in Development Mode

1. Introduction

This document guides developers and testers on how to test the mobile app in development mode before it is live on the App Store or Google Play Store. It covers key functionalities such as universal links, referral tracking, and redirection behavior.

2. Key Features & Testing Steps

2.1. Optional App Store Links During Campaign Setup

  • Users can skip providing App Store / Google Play Store links during campaign setup if the app is not yet live.

  • These links can be added later once the app is published.

Testing Steps:

  1. Create a campaign without entering store links.

  2. Verify the campaign is saved successfully.

  3. Later, update the campaign with valid store links and confirm they are stored correctly.

2.2. Enabling App Download Tracking (Required for Universal Link)

  • Before using the universal link, the Track iPhone & Android App Downloads toggle must be enabled in the settings and Your Branch key must be configured after contacting our support team for activation.

  • Once enabled, the universal link becomes active and starts tracking the Referral info.

Testing Steps:

  1. Go to campaign settings and enable the toggle for Track iPhone & Android App Downloads

  2. Please make sure to fill in all the required details below.

2.3. Universal Link Testing & Referral Data Capture

  • Clicking the universal link from any device will create a Referral Visitor and log:

    • Device Type (iPhone, Android, etc.)

    • OS Type & Version

  • This data is stored in the database and visible in the web dashboard.

  • It will then redirect the user to the App Store or Play Store, including the referral information.

Testing Steps:

To test Universal Links:

  1. Get your universal link from the Subscriber Profile in ReferralHero. Example: https://app.referralhero.com/MF******/universal_link?mwr=e86****

  1. On your iPhone, paste the link into the Apple Notes app (or a similar app).

  2. Long-press the link (don’t use 3D Touch).

  3. Tap “Open”. This will:

    • Create a Referral Visitor in your ReferralHero dashboard.

    • Redirect you to the App Store (if the app is not installed).

  4. Install the app:

    • For iOS, use TestFlight.

    • For Android, use the APK file.

  5. After installing, open the same universal link again.

  6. This time, the link should directly open the app instead of going to the store.

  7. After registering in the app, the referral system will:

    • Recognize the existing Referral Visitor.

    • Update referral details like name, email, etc.

2.4. Testing with Live Store Links (Post-App Launch)

Once your app is live on the App Store or Google Play Store, it's essential to update the campaign settings with the correct store URLs to ensure seamless referral tracking and redirection in a production environment.

This step validates that Universal Links function as expected in the live app, accurately capturing referral data and attributing it during the user’s registration process.

✅ Key Expectations:

  • Clicking the referral link opens the installed app (if present), or redirects to the correct store page (App Store or Play Store).

  • The app captures and attributes referral data correctly upon user registration.

  • The referral visitor is updated with user details like name, email, etc., and marked as converted in the dashboard.

🧪 Testing Steps:

  1. Update the Campaign In the dashboard, add valid App Store and Google Play Store links under the "Track iPhone & Android App Downloads" section.

  2. Install or Open the Live App

    • If the app is not installed, clicking the referral link should redirect to the correct store page.

    • If the app is installed, the link should open the app directly via Universal Links.

  3. Complete Registration in the App Register using the live app after opening via the referral link.

  4. Validate Referral Attribution

    • Confirm that the referral visitor (created when the link was clicked) is updated with the user’s registration details.

    • Check that the referral is marked as converted in the dashboard.

3. Integration validator method

Another simple way to test the status of your Branch iOS SDK integration is using the built-in validateSDKIntegration() method.

To use this method, add the following code to your AppDelegate file:

Branch.getInstance().validateSDKIntegration()

This method will check to ensure that the Branch keys, package name, URI schemes, Universal Links, and link domain settings from the Branch Dashboard match those in the build.

Make sure to comment out or remove validateSDKIntegration() in your production build.\

4. Enable logging

Enable logging in your app to catch errors and other useful information coming from Branch. Make sure to only do this for testing, and that you remove the logging code before releasing to production.

Basic logging

To enable basic logging:

  1. Add the following line of code before the initSession()

  2. Don't forget to remove the logging code before releasing to production.

// Enable basic logging
Branch.enableLogging()

5. Expected Outcomes

✅ Referral Tracking Activation via Toggle Referral tracking through Universal Links only starts working once the “Track iPhone & Android App Downloads” toggle and the “Our team uses Branch.io” toggle are enabled in the campaign settings.

✅ Universal Link Behavior When a Universal Link is opened:

  • A Referral Visitor is created, capturing device type, OS version, and other metadata.

  • If the app is not installed, the link redirects the user to the App Store or Play Store with referral data embedded.

  • If the app is installed, the app is launched and can access the referral data via Branch SDK.

✅ Live Store Links Post-Launch Once valid store links and App launched on App/Play Store:

  • Clicking the referral link opens the App Store or Google Play Store as expected if the app is not installed.

  • If the app is installed, it opens directly without redirect.

  • Full registration flow functions correctly with referral tracking.

✅ Integration Validation (Optional) Using the validateSDKIntegration() method helps confirm that:

  • Branch keys, URI schemes, link domains, and universal link configurations are correctly set.

  • Integration is ready for production.

6. Troubleshooting

Issue
Possible Cause
Suggested Solution

Universal Link not opening app

App not opened once after install (iOS)

Open the app at least once before testing the link

Link opens store instead of app

Missing URI Scheme or Associated Domains

Ensure correct values are set in Info.plist and Branch dashboard

Referral not tracked

Tracking toggles not enabled

Enable “Track iPhone & Android App Downloads” and Branch integration toggle

App not launching via link

Deep link incorrectly formed or expired

Regenerate the link via Branch dashboard

No referral data in app

Branch SDK not capturing session

Check Branch SDK logs and ensure initialization is correct

validateSDKIntegration fails

Config mismatch

Ensure Branch key, URI schemes, and link domain match in both dashboard and code

7. Conclusion

This documentation ensures smooth and reliable testing of the mobile app in development mode before it goes live. Developers should: ✔ Test on multiple devices (iOS and Android) ✔ Validate referral and event logs in the database after each test ✔ Confirm that live App Store / Play Store links are correctly configured and functioning post-launch

Next Steps:

  • Perform cross-device testing.

  • Validate backend logs for accuracy.

  • Coordinate with the web team for deep link setup (if issues arise).

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