urltoapp.dev
Learn · 18 pages

Learn how URL apps work

How URL apps really work: WebView, sign-in, uploads, deep links, Play policy and the fixes for each.

Start here

/learn/what-is-url-to-app/LearnWhat is URL to App?URL to App explained: how a website link becomes an installable Android app (APK/AAB), what the app can do, what it can't, and when a URL app is the right choice./learn/convert-url-to-app-step-by-step/LearnConvert a URL to an app, step by stepConvert any website URL into an Android app in minutes: prepare the link, set name, icon and package, build a signed APK and AAB, then publish./learn/how-a-url-app-works/LearnHow a URL app works insideInside a URL to app conversion: the Android activity, the WebView and its settings, cookies and storage, the user agent, the back button and how the app is signed./learn/url-to-apk-vs-url-to-aab/LearnURL to APK vs URL to AABAPK or AAB from your URL? APK installs directly on a phone and shares anywhere; AAB is required for new Google Play apps. When to use each and how signing differs./learn/choose-the-right-start-url/LearnChoose the right start URLThe start URL decides the first screen, login flow and analytics of your URL app. Home page vs /app vs dashboard, query parameters, redirects and subdomains.

Fix what breaks inside the app

/learn/google-sign-in-in-url-apps/LearnGoogle sign-in in URL appsWhy “Sign in with Google” fails inside a URL to app WebView with 403 disallowed_useragent, and the fixes that work: Custom Tabs, email links, other providers./learn/file-uploads-and-camera-in-url-apps/LearnFile uploads & cameraMake <input type=file>, camera capture, geolocation and downloads work in a URL to app WebView: what the app shell must support and what to change on your site./learn/external-links-in-url-apps/LearnLinks that open outside the appControl links in a URL app: your domain inside, social and maps in their own apps, and tel:, mailto:, WhatsApp and intent:// links handled correctly./learn/url-app-offline-screen/LearnOffline screen & slow networksWhat happens when a URL app has no connection, how to replace the dinosaur error with a branded offline screen, and how caching and service workers help./learn/url-app-deep-links/LearnDeep links & App LinksMake links to your website open straight in your URL app with Android App Links: intent filters, assetlinks.json, SHA-256 fingerprints and how to test verification./learn/payments-in-url-apps/LearnPayments & checkoutCheckout in a URL app: Stripe or PayPal work for physical goods; digital goods fall under Google Play billing rules. Plus pop-up, 3-D Secure and UPI fixes./learn/url-app-security-checklist/LearnSecurity checklistKeep a URL to app conversion safe: https only, no mixed content, scoped domains, no exposed JavaScript bridges, safe file access and what users can see in the APK.

Ship, update and grow

/learn/push-notifications-for-url-apps/LearnPush notificationsWeb push doesn't work in an Android WebView. How URL apps send push with FCM or OneSignal, the Android 13 permission and opening the right page on tap./learn/google-play-policy-for-url-apps/LearnGoogle Play policy for URL appsWhy Google Play rejects some website-to-app conversions (minimum functionality, webview spam, impersonation) and the checklist that gets a URL app approved./learn/url-to-app-for-iphone/LearnURL to app for iPhoneConverting a URL to an iOS app: why APKs don't run on iPhone, Add to Home Screen web apps, WKWebView apps, Apple's guideline 4.2 and what it all costs./learn/update-url-app-without-rebuild/LearnUpdating without a rebuildContent, design and features on your site update a URL app instantly. Name, icon, start URL, permissions and SDKs need a new build with a higher version code./learn/track-url-app-users-in-analytics/LearnTracking app users in analyticsSeparate app traffic from website traffic in GA4 and other analytics: a start-URL parameter, user-agent detection, a custom dimension and app install attribution./learn/make-a-url-app-feel-native/LearnMake it feel nativeSmall website changes that make a URL app feel like a real app: hide web-only UI, bottom navigation, tap feedback, colours, back button and speed.