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Generate Dynamic Links in Cordova

This guide covers how to create a Dynamic Link directly from your Cordova app using JavaScript.

Using Capacitor or Ionic?

See Generate Dynamic Links in Capacitor instead.

Prerequisites​

Before generating links, ensure:

Build a Dynamic Link​

document.addEventListener('deviceready', function () {
    ChottuLink.createDynamicLink({
        destinationURL: 'https://yourapp.com/content',
        domain: 'yourapp.chottu.link'
    }).then(function (result) {
        console.log('✅ Created link:', result.shortURL);
    }).catch(function (error) {
        console.error('❌ Failed to create link:', error);
    });
}, false);
ChottuLink.createDynamicLink({
    destinationURL: 'https://yourapp.com/content',
    domain: 'yourapp.chottu.link',
    linkName: 'summer-sale',
    androidBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app,     // or .browser
    iosBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app,         // or .browser
    selectedPath: 'promo-summer', // Optional: custom URL path, must be unique for the domain
    socialTitle: 'Summer Sale',
    socialDescription: 'Check out our amazing deals!',
    socialImageUrl: 'https://yourapp.com/images/sale.jpg',
    utmSource: 'email',
    utmMedium: 'newsletter',
    utmCampaign: 'summer2025',
    utmContent: 'banner',
    utmTerm: 'summer'
}).then(function (result) {
    console.log('✅ Created link:', result.shortURL);
}).catch(function (error) {
    console.error('❌ Failed to create link:', error);
});

The Promise-based form is recommended; the classic Cordova (success, error) callback style is also supported on every method, for apps that still rely on it.

// Promise-based (recommended)
try {
    const result = await ChottuLink.createDynamicLink({
        destinationURL: 'https://yourapp.com/content',
        domain: 'yourapp.chottu.link',
        androidBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app,
        iosBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app
    });

    console.log('✅ Created link:', result.shortURL);
} catch (error) {
    console.error('❌ Failed to create link:', error);
}

// Callback-based (legacy)
ChottuLink.createDynamicLink(
    { destinationURL: 'https://yourapp.com/content', domain: 'yourapp.chottu.link' },
    function (result) { console.log('✅ Created link:', result.shortURL); },
    function (error) { console.error('❌ Failed to create link:', error); }
);

4. Error Handling​

Note:

createDynamicLink can reject for several reasons. Always implement proper error handling.

  • A missing destinationURL or domain rejects immediately on the JavaScript side, before any native call is made
  • Otherwise, the rejection is a native-layer or network error, surfaced as a standard Error whose message describes the failure (and, when the native side supplied one, a .code property)
info
  • destinationURL and domain are the only required fields
  • Default behavior is app for both platforms when omitted
  • selectedPath is optional — if not provided, a random path is generated; it must be unique for the domain
  • socialTitle, socialDescription, and socialImageUrl are optional — they enhance link previews when shared
  • utmSource, utmMedium, utmCampaign, utmContent, and utmTerm are optional — they help track campaign performance
  • Important: a valid internet connection is required when creating links

Link Behaviors​

androidBehaviour and iosBehaviour control how your dynamic link behaves on each platform independently, via the CLDynamicLinkBehaviour enum:

enum CLDynamicLinkBehaviour {
  browser = 1,
  app = 2
}
  • ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app — opens the app if installed, falls back to the browser (and from there to the App/Play Store)
  • ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.browser — always opens in the device browser
tip

Each behavior can be set independently for iOS and Android, allowing for platform-specific experiences — for example, browser on iOS and app on Android.

Complete Example​

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <title>Create a ChottuLink</title>
</head>
<body>
    <button id="create-link-btn" disabled>Create Dynamic Link</button>
    <p id="result"></p>

    <script src="cordova.js"></script>
    <script>
        var button = document.getElementById('create-link-btn');
        var result = document.getElementById('result');

        document.addEventListener('deviceready', function () {
            ChottuLink.initialize({ apiKey: 'YOUR_API_KEY' })
                .then(function () {
                    button.disabled = false;
                })
                .catch(function (error) {
                    console.error('❌ Error initializing ChottuLink:', error);
                });
        }, false);

        button.addEventListener('click', function () {
            button.disabled = true;
            button.textContent = 'Creating...';

            ChottuLink.createDynamicLink({
                destinationURL: 'https://example.com/product/123',
                domain: 'yourapp.chottu.link',
                linkName: 'product-123',
                androidBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app,
                iosBehaviour: ChottuLink.CLDynamicLinkBehaviour.app,
                socialTitle: 'Check out this product!',
                socialDescription: 'Amazing product at a great price',
                socialImageUrl: 'https://yourapp.com/images/product.jpg',
                utmSource: 'app',
                utmMedium: 'share',
                utmCampaign: 'product-promotion'
            }).then(function (link) {
                result.textContent = link.shortURL;
                console.log('✅ Created link:', link.shortURL);
            }).catch(function (error) {
                console.error('❌ Failed to create link:', error);
                alert('Failed to create link. Please try again.');
            }).finally(function () {
                button.disabled = false;
                button.textContent = 'Create Dynamic Link';
            });
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Next Steps​