Facebook link formats
Each row shows the normal web link, the iPhone URL scheme and the Android form. Replace the capitalised placeholders with real values.
| Content | Web link | iPhone (URL scheme) | Android |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any Facebook URL (Android) | https://www.facebook.com/PATH | — (see note) | intent://www.facebook.com/PATH#Intent;package=com.facebook.katana;scheme=https;end |
On Android, an intent:// URL with the com.facebook.katana package opens any facebook.com link in the app. On iPhone, Facebook has no reliable public scheme for arbitrary links: fb:// formats exist but are undocumented and change, so DSLink sends iPhone visitors to the Facebook web page.
Most apps do not officially document their URL schemes. The formats below are the ones DSLink uses in production today, but an app update can change them — test on a real device before hard-coding a scheme into your own app or site.
Using the scheme on a website
A URL scheme can go straight into a link. On iPhone, Safari asks the visitor to confirm before switching apps:
<a href="— (see note)">Open in Facebook</a>On Android you can add a web fallback to the intent itself. If the app is missing, Chrome opens the fallback URL instead of failing:
intent://www.facebook.com/PATH#Intent;package=com.facebook.katana;scheme=https;S.browser_fallback_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPATH;endTwo limits apply everywhere. If the app is not installed, a bare scheme does nothing useful — iOS shows an error. And built-in browsers inside apps such as Instagram, TikTok or X often block or ignore custom schemes, which is exactly where most links are tapped.
The no-code alternative: a smart link
A DSLink smart link wraps all of this in one short URL. On a phone it tries the right app format for the device, falls back to the Facebook web page if the app is missing, and sends desktop visitors straight to the website. You share one link everywhere and get click statistics on top.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Facebook URL scheme for iPhone?
The app registers fb://, but the formats for pages, groups and profiles are undocumented and unreliable. DSLink therefore opens Facebook links on the web on iPhone.
How do I open a Facebook link in the app on Android?
Use intent://www.facebook.com/PATH#Intent;package=com.facebook.katana;scheme=https;end.
What happens if the Facebook app is not installed?
A bare URL scheme fails: iOS shows an error and nothing opens. Always pair it with a web fallback — on Android with S.browser_fallback_url in the intent, or use a DSLink smart link, which falls back to the web page automatically.