Redirect visitors by device: iPhone, Android or desktop

Set it up with Nginx#

nginxmap $http_user_agent $app_target {
    default        https://mybrand.com/get-the-app;
    ~*(iphone|ipad) https://apps.apple.com/app/id123456789;
    ~*android       https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mybrand.app;
}

server {
    server_name go.mybrand.com;
    location = /app {
        add_header Vary User-Agent;
        return 302 $app_target;
    }
}

Set it up on a web page#

If you can't change the server, a small script on the landing page can do the same. Recent iPads report a Mac browser, so check for touch support too:

javascriptconst ua = navigator.userAgent;
const isIOS = /iPhone|iPad|iPod/.test(ua) ||
  (/Macintosh/.test(ua) && navigator.maxTouchPoints > 1);

if (isIOS) {
  location.replace('https://apps.apple.com/app/id123456789');
} else if (/Android/i.test(ua)) {
  location.replace('https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mybrand.app');
}

Common mistakes#

• Using a 301: browsers cache it, so a phone that once got the App Store keeps going there.
• Forgetting Vary: User-Agent, so a cache serves the iPhone answer to Android users.
• No fallback: desktop visitors and unknown devices need a working web page.

Device routing in RedirHub (on request)#

Branded links and QR codes in RedirHub can send each device type to its own destination once device routing is turned on for your workspace, so a printed QR code opens the right app store and you can still change the destinations later. It is set up on request and can be live in as little as 3 days.

To request it, use the contact form or email success@redirhub.com with your workspace name, the links and the destination for each device.

For store URL formats, Smart App Banners and deep links, read App Store Redirect: One Link for iPhone and Android Users.