“com.android.vending.INSTALL_REFERRER” somehow parameters are lost and changed to (not%20set)

Question

I have a problem with INSTALL_REFERRER broadcast in my app.

I'm trying to create some information about campaign etc, but on most devices my url "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.test.apptest&referrer=utm_source%3Dmy_test_source"

EDIT: the same thing happens with link "market://details?id=com.test.apptest&referrer=utm_source%3Dmy_test_source"

is change to something like

"utm_source=(not%20set)&utm_medium=(not%20set)"

I don't know what is the reason for such a behaviour of google play store app but maybe someone has deal with that ?

EDIT 2: It looks like that it has something to do with google play store app version. on version 12.5.15-all everything works fine and as expected, on devices with version 12.5.30 comes only (not set)

EDIT 3: answering comment from Harry, I have only a email from google developers support. For now I replaced referred link with firebase dynamic links which works ( but not utm_source, need to do your custom link)

regards Wojtek

Answer 1

You're most likely logged into a managed account (e.g. a work email). It doesn't matter if you have your personal account active in Play Store. The Play Store consistently checks all accounts that you're signed into on that phone. If any of them are managed by an enterprise then the Play Store resets the referrer token. You can verify this by removing said account and retry sending the token.

I can't speak to why this is the intended behavior but perhaps someone from Google can shine some light.

Answer 2

I had a similar problem, but finally, I figured it out. Google play install referrer is per google play account. It means that if for the first time you installed an app without any referrer, you would receive "utm_source=(not%20set)&utm_medium=(not%20set)". It does not change if you uninstall and install again or you install for the first time in another device with the same google account.

The way to fix is to logout from google play, uninstall the application, login to the play store with another account, and install your application with the referrer.