Debugging Deep Links and App Links in Android

Most of the time, it is quite simple to debug a deep link just run your app start attach debugger, and fire a deep link, it is straightforward and can be done without any adb command.

But what if you need to start an app with a deep link/app link? How do you attach the debugger then? Well, it's time for adb.

1. Run this command once, so that your app will be waiting for the debugger to be attached before starting it.

adb shell am set-debug-app -w --persistent <com.app.package>

2. Trigger your deep link specifying activity that has an intent filter to recognize deep link sheme

adb shell am start -W -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "<your-deep-link-url>" <com.app.package>.<your-activity-that-handle-intent>

n. Once done, remove the effect applied by step #1

adb shell am clear-debug-app <com.app.package>

More concrete example

adb shell am set-debug-app -w --persistent com.example.myapp

adb shell am start -W -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d "https://my-app-host-link.com/detail_screen_path?id=100" com.example.myapp.MainActivity

adb shell am clear-debug-app com.example.myapp