Do Apple App Site Association Files Work with GitHub Pages?
Problem: You're trying to use Apple App Site Association (AASA) files to enable Universal Links for your iOS app on your GitHub Pages website (site.github.io). However, you're running into trouble with the setup.
Rephrased: Universal Links let your iOS app open specific content from your website directly. AASA files tell iOS which pages on your website are associated with your app. The question is, can you use this feature on GitHub Pages?
The Answer: Unfortunately, no, AASA files don't directly work with GitHub Pages. Here's why:
Understanding the Issue:
- GitHub Pages' Domain Structure: GitHub Pages sites reside on subdomains of
github.io, likeyourusername.github.io. - AASA File Requirements: iOS requires AASA files to be served from the website's root domain, not subdomains. This means they should be at
https://yourdomain.com/apple-app-site-associationand nothttps://yourusername.github.io/apple-app-site-association.
Workarounds:
- Custom Domain: You can use a custom domain with GitHub Pages. By registering a domain like
yourwebsite.comand connecting it to your GitHub Pages repository, you can then host your AASA file at the root of your domain. - Server-Side Proxy: You can use a server-side solution like Netlify or AWS Lambda to act as a proxy. These services can retrieve the AASA file from your GitHub Pages site and serve it at the root of your custom domain.
Example:
Let's say your GitHub Pages site is yourusername.github.io and your custom domain is yourwebsite.com. You would need to configure your custom domain with GitHub Pages and ensure the AASA file is located at https://yourwebsite.com/apple-app-site-association.
Important Considerations:
- Custom Domain: Registering and managing a custom domain requires additional cost and maintenance.
- Server-Side Proxy: Server-side solutions add complexity and potentially ongoing costs.
Alternatives:
- Deep Links: You can use traditional deep links (URLs like
yourwebsite.com/app-specific-path) as an alternative to Universal Links. While less sophisticated, they work across platforms and don't require AASA files.
Conclusion:
While using AASA files directly on GitHub Pages is not possible, alternative solutions like custom domains or server-side proxies exist. Consider the trade-offs and select the approach that best fits your needs and project constraints.
References:
- Apple Developer Documentation: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/supporting_universal_links
- GitHub Pages Documentation: https://pages.github.com/
- Netlify: https://www.netlify.com/
- AWS Lambda: https://aws.amazon.com/lambda/
By understanding the limitations and exploring available workarounds, you can effectively implement Universal Links for your iOS app, even when using GitHub Pages.
