At a glance: Convert desktop, TV, CTV, or offline users, into mobile app users by using QR codes generated with OneLink.
Converting mobile, non-mobile and offline traffic into mobile app users
Posting OneLink-generated QR codes on ads for desktop, TV, CTV, or offline, such as on in-store displays, brochures, and packaging, provides the following benefits:
- Users can quickly and easily scan the code with their mobile device to download and install your app.
- Users save the time and effort required to go to the app store and search for your app, which greatly increases QR-to-app install conversion rates.
- Privacy is protected, as this conversion method bypasses SMS, and users don't need to provide private information, such as a phone number for you to text.
- You can easily attribute installs and measure the efficacy of your ads.
QR codes can be created either:
- Manually, in the AppsFlyer UI
- Dynamically, using the OneLink Smart Script (specifically designed for web-to-app desktop flows)
QR to App conversion
MANUAL QR CODE SETUP
Prerequisites:
- An AppsFlyer account with at least one app.
- For attribution: The AppsFlyer SDK already integrated in each of your mobile apps.
- If the SDK is not yet installed in your apps, it is still possible to create a working redirection link, but it will not be possible to deep link, deferred deep link, or measure installs in your dashboard.
- A OneLink template set up.
To set up a QR code for QR-to-app conversion:
- Perform one of the following:
-
Create a single QR code image
- [Recommended] Create a new link and set the custom media source. For example, desktop_web. Using a QR code from an existing link works. However, for reporting purposes, we recommend not sharing media sources with another link. Instead, use a separate link with the dedicated media source.
- After you click Generate Link, the QR code is displayed.
- Click the QR code to download it in full resolution, either in SVG or PNG format.
-
Create a collection of QR code images
- In the Bulk Links page, create a link collection.
- Download the QR images for the links in the collection.
-
Create a single QR code image
- Add the QR code to your ad, the same way you would add any other image/content.
- See best practices.
- Developer assistance may be required.
Customize QR code
You can customize the QR codes generated via OneLink by:
- Adding your logo to the QR code
- Changing the color of the QR code.
Note:
- QR code customization occurs at the template level; not at the individual link level. Therefore, customizations affect all QR codes based on the edited template.
- QR codes created via the Smart Script can't be customized.
To customize your QR code:
- In the AppsFlyer dashboard, go to Experiences & deep linking > OneLink Management.
- Select the template you want to edit and click Customize QR code (available only to users with template editing permissions).
The QR code editor opens. -
Enter the URL where your logo is hosted. For example: https://yourbrand.com/logo.png.
Logo requirements:
- PNG or JPG format
- Square or circular with a transparent background
- Minimum dimensions 400 x 400 px
- For printing, use maximum image resolution
- Set the QR code color.
- Click Save.
Measure QR-to-app conversions
You can measure the performance of your QR code and its placement on different ads/media sources, by comparing impressions (for desktop pageviews), clicks (for QR code scans), and app installs.
To measure QR-to-app conversions:
- In AppsFlyer, check the Overview dashboard or other AppsFlyer analytics tools, and record the total clicks and installs with you QR code media source (such as desktop_web).
- Record the total desktop page views (impressions) using your web analytics software.
- Measure performance:
Best practices
The following are tips to maximize QR-to-app conversions.
- For desktop, if you're using the manual QR code setup, build a separate page on your website to place the QR code.
- Pick a URL slug for the page such as /app, /download-app, or /mobile-app.
- Make the page viewable only for desktop/large screen width.
- For all ads:
- Make the QR code on your ads large and high-resolution, so that it is easily scannable.
- Add prominently situated Download from App Store and Download from Google Play badges as visual triggers (not as links).
- Consider adding instructions on how to scan the QR code.
- Already using OneLink? In your other custom OneLinks, being used in emails, etc., add an af_web_dp parameter with the value being the URL to the page containing the QR code. This sends desktop users clicking the link to a webpage instead of the app store.