1. Home
  2. Marketers
  3. Testing a Deferred Deeplink
  1. Home
  2. Reference Information
  3. Testing a Deferred Deeplink

Testing a Deferred Deeplink

In order to test the deferred deeplink flow, we must perform install attribution to the device being used for testing. This requires you to “Scrub” the device from our system so no other attribution sources can potentially match to the device. Instructions are included below.


Preparation of the Test Device

Complete one of the following:

  • The test device has never had the app installed.
  • The app has been uninstalled and the device has been scrubbed. For more information on scrubbing the test device, refer to our Scrubbing a Device ID support documentation.

Within Kochava UI

  1. Log in to Kochava.
  2. Select the desired Account.
  3. Select Engagement > SmartLinks™.

Feature Note: To add this menu item to your Favorites Menu, select the “+” sign that appears when you hover over the menu. The Features Menu provides quick access to your most frequently visited areas of the Kochava UI.

  1. Locate the desired SmartLink. 
  2. Locate the Click URL.
  3. Copy and email the Click URL to an email address accessible from the test device.

Within Test Device

  1. Click the Click URL.
  2. Install the app.

NOTE: Ensure to install a version of the app that contains the Kochava SDK.

  1. Launch the app on the test device.

NOTE: After the app has been installed, it MUST be launched to complete the attribution process.


Troubleshooting

  • Testing development builds on Android devices:
    • In 2023, Chrome limited User Agent availability on Android browsers. This can cause install attribution issues for smartlinks in a testing environment when the app is sideloaded and traditional Play Store attribution tools are unavailable. 
    • We recommend hardcoding your ADID as a parameter at the end of your smartlink using the device_id field. This will ensure the link achieves deterministic attribution from the sideloaded app.
      • Example: https://smart.link/zcb34jid?device_id={adid}

Updated on December 9, 2025

Was this article helpful?