Firebase Dynamic Links Alternatives in 2026: What Are Your Options?
Firebase Dynamic Links was discontinued on August 25, 2025. If you're a game studio that hasn't migrated yet -- or you're unhappy with the solution you picked -- here's what you should know.
What happened to Firebase Dynamic Links?
Google announced the shutdown of Firebase Dynamic Links (FDL) in late 2023, with a final deprecation date of August 25, 2025. After that date, all existing Firebase Dynamic Links stopped resolving. Any game or app still relying on them lost deep linking, referral flows, and attribution overnight.
If you migrated before the deadline -- great. But many studios are still running workarounds, or picked a solution that doesn't quite fit. Here's what to consider.
What you actually lost
Firebase Dynamic Links did a few things that most studios took for granted:
- Cross-platform redirect -- One link that sent iOS users to the App Store, Android users to Google Play, and desktop users to a landing page.
- Deferred deep linking -- If the app wasn't installed, the link remembered where to send the user after install.
- Basic analytics -- Click counts, platform breakdowns, campaign parameters.
- Free -- No cost, no volume limits, no contracts.
Any replacement needs to handle at least the first two. But if you're replacing infrastructure anyway, it's worth asking: can you get more than what Firebase gave you?
What to look for in a replacement
For game studios specifically, the right dynamic links solution should cover:
- Install attribution -- Don't just redirect. Know which links drive actual installs, and which installs turn into paying players.
- Revenue tracking -- Firebase told you someone clicked a link. It didn't tell you if that player spent $50 in IAPs. Your replacement should.
- Custom domains -- Branded links (
yourgame.com/invite) convert better than generic ones. Firebase didn't offer this easily. - Cross-promotion support -- If you have multiple games, you should be able to promote Game B to Game A's players and measure the result.
- No MMP tax -- Some solutions bundle deep linking with expensive measurement contracts. If all you need is links and attribution, don't overpay.
The options
There are really three paths for game studios:
1. Use a gaming-focused platform
BoostLink (part of BoostOps) was built as a direct Firebase Dynamic Links replacement for game studios. It handles cross-platform redirects, deferred deep linking, and install attribution -- but also adds revenue tracking, cross-promotion, and portfolio analytics that Firebase never had.
- Free tier with 2,001 attributed installs/month
- Studio plan at $80/month includes unlimited games and all ad network integrations
- 15-minute migration guide with both dashboard and API paths
- Custom branded domains (
yourgame.boostlink.meor your own) - Full REST API with OpenAPI spec
Best for: Unity game studios that want attribution, dynamic links, and cross-promotion in one platform without MMP pricing.
2. Use your existing MMP
If you're already paying for an MMP like AppsFlyer or Adjust, they include deep linking products (OneLink and Adjust Links respectively). The advantage is you're already integrated. The downside is these are enterprise-priced tools -- if you're paying thousands per month just to get dynamic links, you're overpaying. They also aren't built with gaming-specific features like cross-promotion or portfolio analytics.
Best for: Studios already on an MMP contract who just need to check the "dynamic links" box.
3. Build your own
You can implement deep linking with Android App Links and iOS Universal Links plus a simple redirect server. A Cloudflare Worker or Node server handles the basics. But you get zero analytics, zero attribution, and zero deferred deep linking without building each piece yourself. Apple and Google also change deep linking behavior regularly, so someone has to maintain it.
Best for: Developer-heavy teams with simple needs (one game, basic referral codes) and no attribution requirements.
The real cost of doing nothing
Firebase Dynamic Links has been dead since August 2025. Every day without proper deep linking means:
- Broken invite flows -- Players sharing links that don't work.
- Lost referrals -- No way to attribute installs to the players who drove them.
- Blind growth spending -- No attribution means no idea which campaigns or channels are working.
The longer you wait, the more installs and revenue data you're missing.
Ready to migrate?
If you're interested in BoostLink, we have a step-by-step migration guide that takes about 15 minutes. No coding required for the dashboard approach. Or start a free account and try it yourself -- 2,001 installs/month are free.