Develop Reference

DynamicLinks.API is not available on this device [duplicate]

With normal installed apps it's possible to use the technique of Deep Linking in order to not only open a specific application from an URL but also to redirect it to a specific section/function such as a specific Facebook post or specific coordinates on a map.
Since I've read that with Instant Apps this won't be possible because links already point to the specific module to download and run, how would it be possible to access not only the said module but also pass it some parameters?
For example:
This is the link from which the view-only module of my map application will be downloaded: "www.myinstantappexample.com/onlyviewmap"
If I want it to point to a specific set of coordinates how would the link be composed?
Will it be like this: "www.myinstantappexample.com/onlyviewmap/?x=0.000&y=0.000" ?
From what I've been able to find google doesn't cover this aspect and I really can't wrap my head around it.

If I want it to point to a specific set of coordinates how would the link be composed?
It's up to you how to include any additional info in the URL. It could be via URL parameters or in the path itself. Eg.
https://www.myinstantappexample.com/location/2/user/5
https://www.myinstantappexample.com/onlyviewmap/?x=1.2&y=3.4
You then parse the URL in the receiving Activity. The Uri class includes a number of helper methods such as getQueryParameter() and getPathSegments() to make this easier.
For example, to parse this URL:
https://www.myinstantappexample.com/onlyviewmap/?x=1.2&y=3.4
You would do something like this in your Activity:
Uri uri = getIntent().getData();
String x;
String y;
if (uri != null) {
x = uri.getQueryParameter("x"); // x = "1.2"
y = uri.getQueryParameter("y"); // y = "3.4"
}
if (x != null && y != null) {
// do something interesting with x and y
}

Instant Apps and Deep Linking
Instant Apps rely on App Links to work, and App Links are just one type of deep link. So deep linking is still possible for Instant Apps, and is in fact absolutely critical to how they function. However, URI scheme deep linking (which is still very prevalent in Android apps) is not supported.
The difference between a regular app and an Instant App is that the device will only load a single Activity in response to the App Link the user clicks, instead of needing to download the full package through the Play Store. It's a more seamless experience for the user, but the underlying technology works the same way.
Passing Custom Parameters
If the user clicks an App Links-enabled URL like http://www.myinstantappexample.com/onlyviewmap/?x=0.000&y=0.000, you will get that entire string back inside the app after it opens. You'll have to parse out the x and y variables yourself, but they will be available to you. Something like this:
Uri data = this.getIntent().getData();
if (data != null && data.isHierarchical()) {
String uri = this.getIntent().getDataString();
Log.i("MyApp", "Deep link clicked " + uri);
}
You'll just need to manipulate the uri value to find what you need.
Alternative Approach to Custom Parameters
Alternatively, you can use Branch.io (full disclosure: I'm on the Branch team) to power your links. We have full support for Instant Apps, and this allows you to work with a much more friendly data format. We let you create links like this, to control every part of the behavior:
branch.link({
tags: [ 'tag1', 'tag2' ],
channel: 'facebook',
feature: 'dashboard',
stage: 'new user',
data: {
x: '0.000',
y: '0.000',
'$desktop_url': 'http://myappwebsite.com',
'$ios_url': 'http://myappwebsite.com/ios',
'$ipad_url': 'http://myappwebsite.com/ipad',
'$android_url': 'http://myappwebsite.com/android',
'$og_app_id': '12345',
'$og_title': 'My App',
'$og_description': 'My app\'s description.',
'$og_image_url': 'http://myappwebsite.com/image.png'
}
}, function(err, link) {
console.log(err, link);
});
In return you get a URL like http://myappname.app.link/iDdkwZR5hx, and then inside the app after the link is clicked, you'll get something that looks like this:
{
tags: [ 'tag1', 'tag2' ],
channel: 'facebook',
feature: 'dashboard',
stage: 'new user',
data: {
x: '0.000',
y: '0.000'
}
}

In order to do that, you have to use the "app links assistant" in
Tools->App Links Assistant
Then check your links and, in the Path selector, check that the "pathPrefix" option is selected.
Then at the bottom of the OnCreate method of your activity (which is related to the link you recently edited) add this code:
Intent appLinkIntent = getIntent();
String appLinkAction = appLinkIntent.getAction();
Uri appLinkData = appLinkIntent.getData();
// then use appLinkData.getQueryParameter("YourParameter")
You can test and debug this, using the "editConfigurations" option, just open that window and edit your instantApp module (the one launched with the Link you recently edited) and in the URL field add the URL parameters that you need. (then just run that module :D )
Hope this to be helpful.

Create a link that opens the appropriate map app on any device, with directions to destination

I rather thought this would not be so hard to find out but appearantly it is not easy to find an awesome cross device article, like you'd expect.
I want to create a link which opens either the mobile device's browser and surf to google maps OR open a maps app (Apple Maps or Google Maps) and directly starting a route, i.e.: start at the current location, end at a given point (lat/long).
I can test on two devices (beside browserstack), an Android and an iPhone.
The following link works only on the Android:
Take me there!
Clicking this link in iPhone's Chrome, this weirdly opens Google Maps in desktop version with ads on the mobile app...
This one only works on iOS, opening Apple Maps asking me to enter a start location (i can pick "Current Location") and start the route = desired behavior. Clicking this link completely fails on Android:
Take me there!
Notice the maps:// protocol.
Is there an elegant cross device way of creating such a link? One link that works on all main mobiles?
Thanks
UPDATE: Solution found (kinda)
Here is what I've come up with. It's not quite what I imagined, though it's working.
var ua = navigator.userAgent.toLowerCase(),
plat = navigator.platform,
protocol = '',
a,
href;
$.browser.device = ua.match(/android|webos|iphone|ipad|ipod|blackberry|iemobile|opera/i) ? ua.match(/android|webos|iphone|ipad|ipod|blackberry|iemobile|opera/i)[0] : false;
if ($.browser.device) {
switch($.browser.device) {
case 'iphone':
case 'ipad':
case 'ipod':
function iOSversion() {
if (/iP(hone|od|ad)/.test(navigator.platform)) {
// supports iOS 2.0 and later: <http://bit. ly/TJjs1V>
var v = (navigator.appVersion).match(/OS (\d+)_(\d+)_?(\d+)?/);
return [parseInt(v[1], 10), parseInt(v[2], 10), parseInt(v[3] || 0, 10)];
}
}
var ver = iOSversion() || [0];
if (ver[0] >= 6) {
protocol = 'maps://';
}
else {
protocol = 'http://maps.google.com/maps';
}
break;
case 'android':
default:
protocol = 'http://maps.google.com/maps';
break;
}
a.attr('href', protocol + href)
the maps:// protocol is the url scheme for the apple maps app, which will only start working on ios 6 or higher. There are ways to test if gmaps is installed and then chose what to do with the url, but that was kind of too much for what I intended. So i just ended up creating a maps:// OR maps.google.com/ link, using the above parameters.
** UPDATE **
sadly, $.browser.device don't work since jquery 1.9
(source - http://api.jquery.com/jquery.browser )

I haven't worked much with phones, so I dont't know if this would work. But just from a html/javascript point of view, you could just open a different url depending on what the user's device is?
<a style="cursor: pointer;" onclick="myNavFunc()">Take me there!</a>
function myNavFunc(){
// If it's an iPhone..
if( (navigator.platform.indexOf("iPhone") != -1)
|| (navigator.platform.indexOf("iPod") != -1)
|| (navigator.platform.indexOf("iPad") != -1))
window.open("maps://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&travelmode=driving&layer=traffic&destination=[YOUR_LAT],[YOUR_LNG]");
else
window.open("https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&travelmode=driving&layer=traffic&destination=[YOUR_LAT],[YOUR_LNG]");
}

Interestingly, http://maps.apple.com links will open directly in Apple Maps on an iOS device, or redirect to Google Maps otherwise (which is then intercepted on an Android device), so you can craft a careful URL that will do the right thing in both cases using an "Apple Maps" URL like:
http://maps.apple.com/?daddr=1600+Amphitheatre+Pkwy,+Mountain+View+CA
Alternatively, you can use a Google Maps url directly (without the /maps URL component) to open directly in Google Maps on an Android device, or open in Google Maps' Mobile Web on an iOS device:
http://maps.google.com/?daddr=1+Infinite+Loop,+Cupertino+CA

just bumped in this question and found here all the answers
I took some of the codes above and made simple js function that works on
android and iphone (it supports almost every android and iphones).
function navigate(lat, lng) {
// If it's an iPhone..
if ((navigator.platform.indexOf("iPhone") !== -1) || (navigator.platform.indexOf("iPod") !== -1)) {
function iOSversion() {
if (/iP(hone|od|ad)/.test(navigator.platform)) {
// supports iOS 2.0 and later
var v = (navigator.appVersion).match(/OS (\d+)_(\d+)_?(\d+)?/);
return [parseInt(v[1], 10), parseInt(v[2], 10), parseInt(v[3] || 0, 10)];
}
}
var ver = iOSversion() || [0];
var protocol = 'http://';
if (ver[0] >= 6) {
protocol = 'maps://';
}
window.location = protocol + 'maps.apple.com/maps?daddr=' + lat + ',' + lng + '&ll=';
}
else {
window.open('http://maps.google.com?daddr=' + lat + ',' + lng + '&ll=');
}
}
The html:
<a onclick="navigate(31.046051,34.85161199999993)" >Israel</a>

This works for me on all devices [ iOS, Android and Window Mobile 8.1 ].
Does not look like the best way by any means... but cannot be more simpler :)
<a href="bingmaps:?cp=18.551464~73.951399">
<a href="http://maps.apple.com/maps?q=18.551464, 73.951399">
Open Maps
</a>
</a>
http://jsbin.com/dibeq

if (navigator.geolocation) { //Checks if browser supports geolocation
navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(function (position) {
var latitude = position.coords.latitude; //users current
var longitude = position.coords.longitude; //location
var coords = new google.maps.LatLng(latitude, longitude); //Creates variable for map coordinates
var directionsService = new google.maps.DirectionsService();
var directionsDisplay = new google.maps.DirectionsRenderer();
var mapOptions = //Sets map options
{
zoom: 15, //Sets zoom level (0-21)
center: coords, //zoom in on users location
mapTypeControl: true, //allows you to select map type eg. map or satellite
navigationControlOptions:
{
style: google.maps.NavigationControlStyle.SMALL //sets map controls size eg. zoom
},
mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP //sets type of map Options:ROADMAP, SATELLITE, HYBRID, TERRIAN
};
map = new google.maps.Map( /*creates Map variable*/ document.getElementById("map"), mapOptions /*Creates a new map using the passed optional parameters in the mapOptions parameter.*/);
directionsDisplay.setMap(map);
directionsDisplay.setPanel(document.getElementById('panel'));
var request = {
origin: coords,
destination: 'BT42 1FL',
travelMode: google.maps.DirectionsTravelMode.DRIVING
};
directionsService.route(request, function (response, status) {
if (status == google.maps.DirectionsStatus.OK) {
directionsDisplay.setDirections(response);
}
});
});
}

Well no, from an iOS developer prospective, there are two links that I know of that will open the Maps app on the iPhone
On iOS 5 and lower: http://maps.apple.com?q=xxxx
On iOS 6 and up: http://maps.google.com?q=xxxx
And that's only on Safari. Chrome will direct you to Google Maps webpage.
Other than that you'll need to use a URL scheme that basically beats the purpose because no android will know that protocol.
You might want to know, Why Safari opens the Maps app and Chrome directs me to a webpage?
Well, because safari is the build in browser made by apple and can detect the URL above. Chrome is "just another app" and must comply to the iOS Ecosystem. Therefor the only way for it to communicate with other apps is by using URL schemes.

Simple URL :
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=[LAT],[LNG]
This url is specific for routing.
Reference

I found that this works across the board:
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/1+Fake+Street,+City+Province/State>Get Directions</a>
For desktops/laptops the user has to click Directions when that map loads, but from my testing all mobile devices will load that link in the Google Maps app without difficulty.

Based on the documentation the origin parameter is optional and it defaults to the user's location.
... Defaults to most relevant starting location, such as user location, if available. If none, the resulting map may provide a blank form to allow a user to enter the origin....
ex: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Pike+Place+Market+Seattle+WA&travelmode=bicycling
For me this works on Desktop, IOS and Android.

The URL syntax is the same regardless of the platform in use
String url = "https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=" + latitude + ","+
longitude;
In Android or iOS the URL launches Google Maps in the Maps app, If the Google Maps app is not installed, the URL launches Google Maps in a browser and performs the requested action.
On any other device, the URL launches Google Maps in a browser and performs the requested action.
here's the link for official documentation
https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/urls/guide

Android Navigation intent

If you mail a Google Maps direction to your Android phone, you have the possibility to open it in the Maps appliaction, this seems perfectly logical, as does the code behind it.
Now, once in the Maps App, you have the possibility to open these directions in the Navigation App, with those exact directions.
How does this work? It must not be that difficult to do it, I know about the intent with
"google.navigation:q=..."
But this only works on some devices and only with coördinates or addresses... No Maps directions?
Can anyone help me out with this?
EDIT:
This is what the URL looks like:
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Durbanville,+Cape+Town,+Western+Cape,+South+Africa&daddr=Parow+North,+Cape+Town,+South+Africa+to:Somerset+West,+Cape+Town,+South+Africa+to:Milnerton,+Cape+Town,+South+Africa&hl=en&ll=-33.955037,18.657532&spn=0.25032,0.528374&sll=-33.911454,18.601913&sspn=0.250448,0.528374&geocode=FczB-_0dzIkcASlBKWkzGlfMHTFTuxOUSmpCAw%3BFQTi-v0d5oMbASld0qgMSFrMHTG2XqWY145Ttw%3BFfUG-P0dPHEfASk398T7ZbXNHTG5a6EH84n4Qg%3BFVU8-_0doEkaASnrz9UPVVnMHTFz2N4nnkA7XQ&oq=parow&mra=ls&t=m&z=12

If you create a web url in the format
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=[lat 1],[lon 1]&daddr=[lat 2],[lon 2]
where [lat 1] and [lon 1] are the latitude and longitude for the start point, and likewise [lat 2] and [lon 2] are the end point, and set it as a String, you can then send this to an intent:
Intent navIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(navigationUrl));
activity.startActivity(navIntent);
This will give the user the option of opening a Web Browser, Google Maps, or Navigation.
EDIT:
For multiple destinations add the following to the end of the url (for each additional place)
+to:[lat 3],[lon 3]
as required.
So for 4 destinations you would have:
http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=[lat 1],[lon 1]&daddr=[lat 2],
[lon 2]+to:[lat 3],[lon 3]+to:[lat 4],[lon 4]

After following answers above, I find myself in a country that Google Navigation service is not available. But the navigation intent still can be accomplished with Google Map by this:
Uri routeUri = Uri.parse("http://maps.google.com/maps?&saddr=" +
MyApplication.Lat + "," +
MyApplication.Lon + "&daddr=" + merchantAddr.getText());
Intent i = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, routeUri);
startActivity(i);
It seems we can set the start point to Geo location with lat/lon, and end point to an address, and vice versa. The geo location seemed to be transformed to an address or road name in the Google Map.

The url should like this:
String navigationUrl = "http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=latitude,longitude&daddr=latitude,longitude";
Intent navIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(navigationUrl));
startActivity(navIntent);

Common link for current location in google maps for ios and android using html

I can't seem to find a common answer anywhere. It seems like there isn't a way to support both Android and iPhone for links opening in their native maps application with their current location set.
From what I've been able to find, the iPhone does it like this:
saddr=Current%20Location
and android you can just leave "saddr" blank. I'm not even thinking of BlackBerries yet. I suppose there is probably a way to do this with JavaScript, but it don't think it should be that complicated.

For now what I'm doing is using html5 geolocation to grab the latitude and longitude instead relying on the OS to interpret the current location.
HTML:
<a id="directions" class="callout" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=address">
JavaScript:
$('#directions').bind('click', function (e) {
var href = $(this).attr('href');
if (navigator.geolocation) {
e.preventDefault();
navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(function (position) {
geoLink(position.coords.latitude, position.coords.longitude, href);
});
}
function geoLink(lat, log, href) {
var location = href + '&saddr=' + lat + ',' + log;
window.location.href = location;
}

Showing a marker at a geo:-url in Android Maps

Is it possible not only to have Google Maps on Android show a given coordinate in the Maps Application but have also a marker (or pin) set at the location?
I read the documentation at https://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/g-app-intents.html but it only lets me set the zoom level.
Right now I use the following code to show a place in Google Maps on Android:
Double lat = 53.3;
Double lng = 13.4;
final String uriString = "geo:" + lat + ',' + lng + "?z=15";
Intent showOnMapIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(uriString));
startActivity(showOnMapIntent);
Is it possible to have a marker there or do I need to use a MapActivity?
Where can I find the complete documentation on the url parameters that the Maps application understands?
Can I use a different url prefix? For example "https://maps.google.de/maps?"?
Maps has an intent-filter matching this scheme/host/pathPrefix.
Where can I find documentation on which parameters Google Maps for Android actually supports with this url?

Dirk, have you tried geo:0,0?q=lat,lng?
it is displaying a marker on my nexus 5.

It works with the follwoing url:
final String uriString = "http://maps.google.com/maps?q=" + lat + ',' + lng + "("+ label +")&z=15";
The reverse geo coded address is shown.
I found documentation to the supported parameters here. This is not the documentation for Androids Google Maps but what I tried works.
Note: it should be noted that the original question was in regards to the the geo: URI to launch the Google Maps app (see Android Developer Reference Intents List, whereas this answer might launch a web view with the Google Maps website depending on what App the user chooses for this Intent.

try this:
http://maps.google.com/?saddr=34.052222,-118.243611
and to get the complete route between two points:
http://maps.google.com/?saddr=34.052222,-118.243611&daddr=37.322778,-122.031944