Support deeplinks to open the OwnTracks app from external links

[mejiafabiandj]

It would be very useful for integrators and third-party systems if the OwnTracks mobile app (Android/iOS) could be opened directly through a deeplink / URL scheme.

Today there is no documented or implemented way to open the app from an external link (e.g., website, WhatsApp, SMS, onboarding flow). A simple URL scheme like:

owntracks://open

or a universal/app link (e.g., https://owntracks.org/open)
would allow automations, provisioning systems, and integration workflows to guide users into the app without requiring them to search manually on their device.

Use Cases

• Launching OwnTracks from onboarding or setup instructions
• Opening OwnTracks directly from a WhatsApp link (very common for user workflows)
• Redirecting users to the app after provisioning or account registration
• Tools that automate OwnTracks configuration or monitoring
• Allowing IT admins to share a single deep link to guide users into the app

Why this is valuable

• Reduces user friction during setup
• Enables more integrators to use OwnTracks in enterprise or field-operations workflows
• Mirrors the capabilities of most apps that use configuration links
• Minimal implementation effort (mostly manifest / plist updates)

[ckrey]

We already support the owntracks URL scheme

It is documented: https://owntracks.org/booklet/features/remoteconfig/#url-config

And we use it in our quicksetup process to automatically configure Android and iOS apps

P.S. as a non-commercial open source project which does not collect any data about our users we are always happy to hear from people using 9wnTracks especially from “integrators and third party systems”

[jpmens]

@mejiafabiandj we'd be interested to know what you integrate OwnTracks with! For privacy you can email us at support@owntracks.org if you prefer.