Create an App Stores Smart Link

Create one Smart Link that routes users to the correct app store based on device.

In this article, you'll learn when to use the App Stores Smart Link type, which fields it includes, and how to test store routing before distribution.

The walkthrough uses Duolingo only as a familiar example: the same fields apply to any app once you paste that app’s Apple App Store and Google Play listing URLs (and optional fallback and icon URLs).

Prerequisites

You can access the Smart Links app.
You know which folder should contain the link.
You have the correct store listing URLs for your app (for example from the Apple App Store and Google Play).

When to use App Stores

Use App Stores when one QR code or shared link should send people to different app store destinations depending on their device.

Typical example:

iPhone users go to the Apple App Store
Android users go to Google Play
everyone else can fall back to a website or store page you define

For most campaign sharing use cases, Create a Redirection Smart Link is still the better choice. App Stores is mainly for app download journeys.

What you can configure

The exact fields may vary slightly by workspace, but an App Stores Smart Link typically includes:

Field	What it does
`Title`	Internal name for the Smart Link
`Description (Optional)`	Extra context for your team
`Type`	Set this to `App Stores`
`Smart Link Slug`	Public `/l/<slug>` URL
`App Store URL`	Apple App Store destination for iPhone users
`Google Play URL`	Google Play destination for Android users
`Default URL (Fallback)`	Used when the device does not match a configured store route
`App Icon URL (Optional)`	Optional app icon shown in the store-routing experience
Optional additional store URLs	Some workspaces may also show extra Android store fields
`Enable Expiration Date`	Optional end date for the Smart Link
`Requires Login`	Optional login gate before the user continues

Create the Smart Link

Start a new Smart Link in the correct folder

Open the target folder and click Create SmartLink.

Links view inside a folder with Create SmartLink in the header

Choose `App Stores` in `Smart Link Details`

Set Type to App Stores, then enter a clear Title, optional Description, and a short Smart Link Slug.

For this guide, the title is a Duolingo download example, the description notes Apple, Google Play, and web fallback, and the slug is duolingo-app. Use your own app name and slug in production, and pick a slug that is stable enough for print or QR if needed.

Configure Smart Link form with title, description, type App Stores, and smart link slug filled using Duolingo as an example

Add your store URLs

Paste the store URLs for the platforms you support, starting with App Store URL and Google Play URL.

Example (Duolingo public listings):

App Store URL: https://apps.apple.com/app/duolingo/id570060128
Google Play URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duolingo

If your workspace shows Amazon Appstore URL (Optional) or Huawei AppGallery URL (Optional), complete them when those stores are part of your plan.

App Store Configuration with Apple and Google Play URLs filled for the example app

Add fallback and optional presentation details

Set Default URL (Fallback) so people still reach a useful page if their device does not match a configured store route. For the Duolingo example, the fallback is the public website https://www.duolingo.com.

If you have a suitable image URL, add App Icon URL (Optional) so the store-routing experience can show your app icon. The example uses Duolingo’s public icon asset.

Add any optional limits or tracking

Turn on Enable Expiration Date if the app promotion has a fixed end date.

Turn on Requires Login only if the app-download journey should be restricted to signed-in users.

Add UTM Parameters if you want attribution data passed through consistently from the Smart Link (for example UTM Source qr, UTM Medium poster, and a campaign name that matches your reporting).

Expiration Date, Access Restrictions, and UTM Parameters on the same page

Save and test on real devices

When the form is complete, click Save & Activate, then test the Smart Link on at least one iPhone and one Android device before launch.

If you use a fallback URL, test that path as well.

Configure Smart Link header with Cancel and Save & Activate after filling store URLs

Testing checklist

iPhone opens the Apple App Store destination
Android opens the Google Play destination
fallback works when expected
slug looks clean in the public URL
QR code scans reliably on mobile

Use real device tests

An App Stores Smart Link is only complete once you have tested it on the device families you expect real users to scan with.