Short answer: Google shut down Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) in August 2025. Links on page.link domains stopped working. To replace FDL you need a deep linking provider, ideally one that also attributes installs, because FDL never told you which campaign drove an install.
What was Firebase Dynamic Links?
Firebase Dynamic Links was Google's free deep linking service: one link that opened your app if it was installed, or sent the user to the App Store or Google Play and then to the right screen after install. Google announced the deprecation in 2023 and switched the service off in August 2025.
For many teams FDL was the default because it was free and bundled with Firebase. That also meant few teams had a plan for when it went away.
What broke when FDL shut down
page.linkURLs: these belonged to Google and no longer route users anywhere.- Deferred deep linking: new users no longer land on the right screen after install.
- Link analytics: FDL's click stats in the Firebase console are gone.
- Referral and invite flows: any in-app "share" or "invite a friend" feature that generated FDL links stopped working.
If you used a custom domain with FDL, you can point that domain at a new provider and keep your URLs. Links on page.link cannot be recovered.
Why is FDL harder to replace than it looks?
FDL routed users but never attributed installs to campaigns, so a like-for-like swap leaves the same blind spot. Most replacements are either standalone link tools or full mobile measurement partners (MMPs), and the choice decides whether you can see which channel drove each install.
Deferred deep link: a link that remembers its destination through the app install, so a new user opens the app on the intended screen rather than the home screen.
How to migrate in five steps
- List every live link. Include in-app share links, emails, push notifications, QR codes, ads and influencer links.
- Choose a provider that supports deferred deep linking on both iOS and Android, on the plan you will actually be using.
- Swap the SDK. Remove the FDL code and add the new provider's SDK. Check support for your framework, whether that is React Native, Flutter, Expo or Unity.
- Recreate your links on your own domain, so a future shutdown or plan change never takes your URLs with it.
- Test both flows (app installed and not installed) on iOS and Android, inside social apps as well as browsers, before switching traffic.
What to look for in a replacement
- Deferred deep linking included, not sold as an add-on tier
- Links on your own domain, with Universal Links and App Links support
- Install attribution, so you can see which channel, creator or QR code drives installs
- Clear pricing, so a free tool does not become an expensive one later
- SDK support for your app's framework
Replacement options compared
| Provider | Free or entry plan | Deferred deep linking on that plan | Install attribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linkrunner | 25k installs free, one-time | Yes | Yes |
| Airbridge | 30-day trial, then from $40 a month | Yes | Yes |
| Tenjin | 2k conversions a month free | Yes | Yes |
| Kochava | 10k conversions a month free | SmartLinks included; deferred not confirmed | Yes |
| Adjust | Base, 1.5k conversions a month for 12 months | Yes | Yes |
| AppsFlyer | Zero, basic links only | From the custom-priced Standard tier | Yes |
| Branch | Free trial on Basics, no public prices | Not confirmed on Basics | Yes |
A few notes on the smaller vendors:
- Airbridge is best for small apps that want deferred deep links, short links and QR codes at a low, predictable monthly price.
- Tenjin is best for indie and hybrid-casual game studios, with deferred deep linking in its all-inclusive feature list.
- Kochava is best for apps that also measure connected TV, with SmartLinks on its free plan.
On the larger vendors, AppsFlyer's deep linking tiers are custom-priced, Adjust sells TrueLink and Smart Banners as paid add-ons, and Branch does not publish prices. For a full rundown, read our deep linking tools comparison or the Branch alternatives page.
Where Linkrunner fits
Where Linkrunner fits: Best for teams leaving FDL that want deep linking and install attribution in one SDK. Linkrunner has a dedicated Firebase Dynamic Links migration path, makes every link dynamic and deferred by default, and runs links on your own domain. The free plan covers 25k installs, which is enough for most teams to migrate and test at no cost.
Its SDKs cover React Native, Flutter, iOS, Android, Expo, Capacitor, Cordova and Unity, and typical setup takes 2 to 4 hours.
If you are still running broken page.link URLs anywhere, start the move this week with Linkrunner's FDL migration guide, then compare paid plans in the MMP cost calculator.
FAQ
When did Firebase Dynamic Links shut down? Google switched off Firebase Dynamic Links in August 2025, after announcing the deprecation in 2023. Links on page.link domains no longer route users.
Is there a free Firebase Dynamic Links replacement? Yes, several providers have free tiers. Linkrunner's free plan includes deferred deep linking and attribution for 25k installs, and Tenjin and Kochava offer monthly free allowances. See all free MMPs compared.
Can I keep my old Firebase Dynamic Links URLs? Only if they ran on your own custom domain, which you can point at a new provider. Links on Google's page.link domain cannot be moved.
Do I need an MMP to replace Firebase Dynamic Links? Not strictly, since standalone link tools can route users. An MMP adds install attribution, so you can see which campaign, creator or QR code drove each install.
How long does an FDL migration take? Most of the work is listing live links, swapping the SDK and testing. The SDK swap itself is usually the smallest part, and providers such as Linkrunner quote 2 to 4 hours for setup.