title: Can you set up iOS Universal Links without a separate website?
body: <p>Is it possible to set up iOS universal links without having a separate website?</p>
  
  <p>For example, if you want a universal link that 1) opens your iOS app if the user has it installed on their device and 2) opens up the App store listing on any device without the app installed.</p>
  
  <p>It seems that having a separate domain you control is the standard way to do it. The Apple documentation <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/inter-process_communication/allowing_apps_and_websites_to_link_to_your_content/enabling_universal_links" rel="noreferrer">(here)</a>, and other guides like <a href="https://blog.branch.io/how-to-setup-universal-links-to-deep-link-on-apple-ios/" rel="noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="https://medium.com/wolox-driving-innovation/ios-deep-linking-url-scheme-vs-universal-links-50abd3802f97" rel="noreferrer">here</a>, seem to make it pretty clear that you need to add the JSON code in the Apple App Site Association file to a separate website that you control.</p>
  
  <p>But is it possible to set up universal links without that website?</p>
  
  <p><strong>Detail:</strong></p>
  
  <p>For an iOS mobile app developer, setting up a separate website, dealing with website hosting, etc. is distinct from building an iOS app, and an involved additional task to go through just for universal links. Many developers might have a site already or have experience building websites in addition to mobile apps, but it's still a different thing than building mobile apps.</p>
  
  <p>So I'm surprised if Apple assumes app developers have a website ready to go for the purpose. I note there are non-Apple alternatives that do similar things that clearly don't require a website.</p>
  
  <p>Edit: I am familiar with alternative linking systems, such as Firebase and Branch. I want to see how you can do it with Apple Universal Links.</p>
  
  <p>So let's say you want to stick with Apple universal links. Is there a way to do it without setting up a website, dealing with hosts (and potential costs for that), etc? </p>
  
  <p>If it is necessary, what would be the cheapest and easiest way to set up the bare minimum site for a mobile developer that would work for universal links?</p>