Deep Links: links that open straight in the app

One short link opens Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, Spotify and other apps directly on a phone — and if the app isn't installed, it opens in the browser instead. No code, no SDK, nothing to configure on the app side.

lix.li/insta one link
Instagram installed opens in the app
YouTube installed opens in the app
App not installed opens in the browser

Supported apps

Deep Links can open the most popular social, video and music apps

Instagram YouTube TikTok Telegram Spotify Pinterest VK Reddit X (Twitter) Facebook

Why use Deep Links

An app engages people far more than a mobile browser tab — send visitors straight into it

Opens the app, not the browser

Visitors land straight in a familiar interface — that means more likes, follows and plays.

Smart fallback

No app installed? The link opens in the browser automatically. Nobody ever hits a dead end.

iOS and Android

Works on both mobile platforms, and on desktop it simply opens the regular website.

No code, no SDK

Nothing to embed in your app or site. Paste the link, flip one switch, done.

Use cases

Where deep links get used the most

lix.li/id Instagram
Social profiles

A link to a profile, post or reel on Instagram or TikTok opens straight in the app — perfect for a bio link.

lix.li/vid YouTube
Video

A YouTube link launches the app right on the video you meant — no extra tap on "Open in app".

lix.li/song Spotify
Music and podcasts

A Spotify track or playlist link opens the app and starts playing the right track immediately.

How it works

Lix.li recognizes the app from the link and builds the right redirect for every platform

Auto app detection

The app is identified straight from the link's address — Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and more. Nothing to look up manually.

Opens the exact content

The link doesn't just launch "an app" — it opens the specific profile, video or track.

iOS — via app URL scheme

On iPhone the link opens through the app's URL scheme, and falls back to the browser if it's not installed.

Android — via the system mechanism

On Android the app opens through the standard https App Links path, with automatic browser fallback.

Desktop — the regular site

On a computer the link just opens the normal web version — behavior adapts to the device.

Smart browser fallback

No app installed? Visitors land on the web page with no errors. No blank screens, ever.

Turned on with one switch

Deep linking is enabled right in the link form on the PRO and Premium plans — no code, no SDK.

Works with QR codes and analytics

Turn any deep link into a QR code, and track every click in Lix.li's detailed analytics.

How to create a deep link

Five simple steps from a regular link to one that opens straight in the app

1
Paste a link to a social profile, video or track

Sign up on Lix.li and create a short link. In the URL field, paste an address from Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Telegram, Spotify or any other supported app.

2
The system detects the app

Lix.li automatically recognizes the app from the address and offers to enable deep linking for it — nothing to look up manually.

3
Turn on "Open in app"

Flip the Deep Link switch in the link form. It's available on the PRO and Premium plans.

4
Save the link

Hit "Save" and you get a regular short Lix.li link — except now it behaves like a deep link.

5
Share it anywhere

Post it wherever you like. On a phone with the app installed it opens straight there; otherwise it opens in the browser.

Frequently asked questions

A deep link is a link that opens straight in an app on a phone instead of the browser — an Instagram profile, a YouTube video, a Spotify track. If the app isn't installed, the link opens in the browser instead.
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X (Twitter), Telegram, Spotify, Pinterest, VKontakte, Reddit and Facebook. The list keeps growing over time.
Smart fallback kicks in: the link automatically opens in the browser on the regular web page. Visitors never hit a dead end.
Yes, on both platforms. On Android the app opens through the system App Links mechanism with a browser fallback; on iOS it opens via the app's URL scheme, and falls back to the web if the app isn't installed. On desktop, the regular website opens.
No. Just paste a regular link and flip one switch — Lix.li builds the deep link for you. No SDK, no changes to your app required.
It opens specific content. A profile link opens the profile, a video link opens the video, a track link opens the track — for recognized link types, the exact right screen opens.
A regular link always opens in the browser. On mobile, a deep link opens the content straight inside the app — which means higher engagement and fewer people dropping off along the way.
Opening links in-app is available on the PRO and Premium plans. Sign up and pick the plan that fits.

Send your audience straight into the app

Turn on in-app opening in a couple of minutes — and boost engagement on every single link.

Deep Links on Lix.li are short links that open on mobile not in the browser but directly inside an app: an Instagram profile, a YouTube video, a Spotify track, a Telegram channel. Instead of adding code or wiring up an SDK, you just shorten a regular link and turn on in-app opening — Lix.li handles the rest.

The link recognizes the app from its address and builds the right redirect for every platform. On Android the app opens through the system mechanism with automatic fallback, on iOS through the app's URL scheme, and on desktop the regular website opens. If the right app isn't installed on the device, smart fallback kicks in: visitors land on the web page with no errors. That way the link opens the app wherever possible, and still works everywhere else.

Deep Links are especially handy for creators, musicians and brands: a link in a bio, an ad or a caption sends followers straight into the app, where engagement runs higher. Supported apps include Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, Telegram, Spotify, Pinterest, VKontakte, Reddit and Facebook. Every deep link is still a regular Lix.li short link — you can turn it into a QR code and track clicks in your analytics. In-app opening is available on the PRO and Premium plans.