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Expo Integration

This guide will help you configure your Expo app for ChottuLink Deep Links.

Prerequisites​

Before integrating ChottuLink into your Expo app, ensure you have the following:

Development Environment​

  • Node.js 18.0+ installed
  • npm or yarn package manager
  • Expo CLI installed globally or locally
  • A working Expo project
  • Physical devices or simulators/emulators to run your app

Configure ChottuLink Dashboard​

1. For iOS Click here​

2. For Android Click here​

Installation​

1. Install the required packages:​

Install the ChottuLink SDK(react-native-chottulink-sdk) and expo-dev-client in your Expo React Native project. The expo-dev-client is required to enable Continuous Native Generation (CNG) and run native code in your Expo app.

Run the following command from your project root:

npx expo install expo-dev-client && npm install react-native-chottulink-sdk --save

After installation, add expo-dev-client to the plugins array in your app.json (or app.config.js).

{
  "expo": {
    "plugins": ["expo-dev-client"]
  }
}

Important: This step is mandatory to ensure native modules work correctly during development.

2. Platform Specific Configurations​

Update app.json for iOS & Android.

To enable deep linking with ChottuLink, you must update your Expo configuration for both iOS and Android.

1. iOS Configuration​

Add the following configuration inside the ios section of your app.json:

{
  "ios": {
    "bundleIdentifier": "com.yourbrand.package",
    "associatedDomains": [
      "applinks:yourapp.chottu.link"
    ]
  }
}

2. Android Configuration​

Add the following configuration inside the android section of your app.json:

{
  "android": {
    "package": "com.yourbrand.package",
    "intentFilters": [
      {
        "action": "VIEW",
        "autoVerify": true,
        "data": [
          {
            "scheme": "https",
            "host": "yourapp.chottu.link"
          }
        ],
        "category": [
          "BROWSABLE",
          "DEFAULT"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Important Replacements​

Make sure you replace the following points:

  • com.yourbrand.package → Your actual iOS bundle identifier and Android package name
  • yourapp.chottu.link → The domain assigned to you in the ChottuLink Dashboard

Initialize the SDK​

Basic Initialization​

Initialize the ChottuLink sdk your app entry file:

import { initializeChottuLink } from 'react-native-chottulink-sdk';

// Initialize with your Mobile SDK Integration Key 
initializeChottuLink('your-api-key-here');

Handling Deep Link​

Handle Initial URL (App Opened from Killed State)​

When your app is completely closed (killed state) and opened via a deep link, you must manually capture the initial URL and pass it to the ChottuLink SDK for processing.

This ensures that deep links work correctly even when the app is launched from a cold start.

import * as Linking from 'expo-linking';

// Set up Event Listener for Initial URL when app is opened through URL in killed state
async function getInitialUrl() {
  const url = await Linking.getInitialURL();

  if (url) {
    handleLink(url);
  }
}

getInitialUrl().then();

Important: This logic should run early in your app lifecycle (e.g., during app initialization).

Handle for Foreground / Paused Deep Link Interception​

When your app is already running (foreground) and opened via a deep link, you must manually capture the deep lnk URL and pass it to the ChottuLink SDK for processing.

import * as Linking from 'expo-linking';

// Set up Event Listener for foreground URL when app is opened through URL in paused condition
useEffect(() => {
    const subscription = Linking.addEventListener('url', ({ url }) => {
        handleLink(url);
    });

    return () => subscription?.remove();
}, []);

Handling Incoming Links​

import { NativeEventEmitter, NativeModules } from 'react-native';

const { ChottuLinkEventEmitter } = NativeModules;
const eventEmitter = new NativeEventEmitter(ChottuLinkEventEmitter);

// Called when a deep link or deferred link is successfully resolved
const deepLinkSubscription = eventEmitter.addListener('ChottuLinkDeepLinkResolved', data => {

        // Tip: ➡️ Navigate to a specific page or take action based on the link
        
        console.log('Deep link resolved:', data);
        console.log('URL:', data.url);
        console.log('Metadata:', data.metadata);

        // Metadata structure (available since v1.0.5+):
        // - isDeferred: boolean          Indicates if the link is deferred
        // - originalURL: string          The resolved destination URL (may be null if not found)
        // - resolvedAt: string           Timestamp when the link was resolved
        // - shortLinkRaw: string         The deeplink url which was clicked with all the parameters intact
    },
);

// Called when there's an error resolving the deep link
const deepLinkErrorSubscription = eventEmitter.addListener('ChottuLinkDeepLinkError', data => {
    console.log('Deep link error:', data);
    console.log('Original URL:', data.originalURL);
    console.log('Error:', data.error);
    },
);

Additional Resources​