Integrating AppsFlyer analytics into a mobile application

Integrating AppsFlyer analytics into a mobile application

AppsFlyer — primarily an MMP (Mobile Measurement Partner), not just analytics. Its key task — attribution: determine which ad network the user installing the app came from. Without an MMP, you can't correctly compare ROI of Facebook Ads and Google UAC: both platforms will claim the same user.

How AppsFlyer attribution works

When clicking an ad, AppsFlyer saves a fingerprint or click_id. After installation and first app launch, the SDK sends an install event to AppsFlyer server. The server matches install with click through deterministic method (click_id in deeplink) or probabilistic (IP + User-Agent). Result: accurate information about campaign, ad group and ad that brought the user.

SDK connection

iOS via Swift Package Manager — AppsFlyerLib-iOS:

import AppsFlyerLib

// AppDelegate
func application(_ application: UIApplication,
                 didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().appsFlyerDevKey = "YOUR_DEV_KEY"
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().appleAppID = "YOUR_APP_STORE_ID"
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().delegate = self
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().isDebug = false // debug builds only!
    return true
}

// SceneDelegate or applicationDidBecomeActive
func applicationDidBecomeActive(_ application: UIApplication) {
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().start()
}

Android:

implementation("com.appsflyer:af-android-sdk:6.+")

// Application.onCreate()
AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().init("YOUR_DEV_KEY", conversionDataListener, this)
AppsFlyerLib.getInstance().start(this)

start() on Android must be called in Application.onCreate(), not in Activity — otherwise deeplink attribution on cold start from deeplink will be inaccurate.

In-app events for campaign optimization

AppsFlyer sends in-app events to ad networks for algorithmic optimization (Conversions API, SKAdNetwork on iOS):

AppsFlyerLib.shared().logEvent(
    AFEventPurchase,
    withValues: [
        AFEventParamRevenue: 990.0,
        AFEventParamCurrency: "RUB",
        AFEventParamContentId: "sku_123",
        AFEventParamOrderId: "order_456"
    ]
)

Standard constants AFEventPurchase, AFEventAddToCart, AFEventCompleteRegistration — these are strings matching Facebook and Google format. Use them instead of arbitrary names so ad networks correctly interpret events.

SKAdNetwork and iOS 14+

Starting iOS 14, Apple limited deterministic attribution through ATT. AppsFlyer implements SKAdNetwork attribution: conversion value (6 bits) encodes user information and transmits to Apple aggregately. AppsFlyer automatically manages updateConversionValue through dashboard configuration — you don't need to implement this manually.

// Conversion Value requires calling start() with ATT status
AppsFlyerLib.shared().waitForATTUserAuthorization(timeoutInterval: 60)
// ... after ATT request:
AppsFlyerLib.shared().start()

Deeplink and OneLink

OneLink — AppsFlyer technology for universal links working both on iOS (Universal Links) and Android (App Links) and when app not installed, directing to installation page:

// AppDelegate
func application(_ application: UIApplication,
                 continue userActivity: NSUserActivity,
                 restorationHandler: @escaping ([UIUserActivityRestoring]?) -> Void) -> Bool {
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().continue(userActivity, restorationHandler: nil)
    return true
}

func application(_ app: UIApplication, open url: URL, options: [UIApplication.OpenURLOptionsKey: Any] = [:]) -> Bool {
    AppsFlyerLib.shared().handleOpen(url, options: options)
    return true
}

Typical integration mistakes

isDebug = true in production — direct attribution data leak (debug traffic goes to separate stream and isn't counted in real campaigns). Must check through Build Configuration.

Missing waitForATTUserAuthorization on iOS 14+: without pause, AppsFlyer sends install before getting ATT permission, and attribution will be probabilistic even if user later agreed.

What's included in the work

• SDK connection for iOS/Android
• DEV Key and App ID setup
• In-app events for key conversions
• SKAdNetwork configuration for iOS 14+
• OneLink / Universal Links / App Links setup
• Integration with ad networks through postbacks (if required)

Timeline

Basic attribution with in-app events: 1–2 days. Full integration with OneLink and SKAdNetwork: up to 3 days. Cost calculated individually.